Raymond James lands $360M team from LPL

Raymond James lands $360M team from LPL
The Gualano Comans Wealth Advisors team.
The latest hires catering to business owners and family offices are joining its independent employee division, Raymond James Advisor Select, in Mississipi.
SEP 13, 2024

In its first hiring for September, Raymond James has expanded its independent employee division in the east as a former LPL advisory team switches affiliations in Mississippi.

Financial advisors Chas Gualano and Andrew Comans, along with client service associate Nicole Schuh, have joined the Raymond James Advisor Select division within Raymond James & Associates, the broker-dealer giant announced Thursday.

The team, which previously managed over $360 million in assets, now operating as Gualano Comans Wealth Advisors of Raymond James with a focus on serving business owners and family offices. Bill Geary, complex manager for the Brandon, Mississipi branch, oversees the team.

In a statement, Gualano highlighted several reasons for their move to Raymond James, including the firm's "customer-first mentality" and "the flexibility to manage client portfolios with a wide range of offerings.

“This was important to our team as we prioritize service, client experience and being part of the community we serve,” he said.

Gualano brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services, having started his career at Trustmark Financial Services in 1997. He spent the last 13 years with LPL Financial before transitioning to Raymond James.

Comans, who joins as senior vice president of wealth management, highlighted "the technology incorporated into the planning process,” which he says "has given us the freedom to serve our clients in a niche, rural market in Mississippi, that was not previously available.”

According to Raymond James, its Advisor Select affiliation model was launched in 2004 as a turnkey platform that offers many of the benefits of independence – including the ability to select their office location, as well as significant ownership and control over their branch's P&L – without as many of the administrative burdens of being fully independent.

In July, the firm extended its Advisor Select division's presence in Arkansas with a 20-year veteran who previously managed over $100 million in assets at Arvest Wealth Management.

Latest News

Advisor moves: LPL and Raymond James add veteran advisors in California
Advisor moves: LPL and Raymond James add veteran advisors in California

LPL welcomes a Beverly Hills-based practice from Wedbush Securities as RayJay adds a Stifel alum to its employee advisor arm.

Is the SEC's private fund exemption rule about to change?
Is the SEC's private fund exemption rule about to change?

House bill seeks inflation-based adjustment to private fund advisor exemption.

Congress pushes to make fintech oversight offices permanent at SEC, CFTC
Congress pushes to make fintech oversight offices permanent at SEC, CFTC

A new House measure would enshrine FinHub and LabCFTC as permanent fixtures, deepening ties with financial technology sector.

CFP Board names Barry Gersten head technology officer
CFP Board names Barry Gersten head technology officer

The seasoned IT leader arrives as the credentialing body for CFP professionals considers AI's implications for the future of financial planning.

FINRA and advisors' other work
FINRA and advisors' other work

The brokerage industry regulator once again takes a stab at updating rules for independent brokers with other businesses and jobs

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today’s choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave