Merrill advisors managing $390M jump to LPL Financial

Merrill advisors managing $390M jump to LPL Financial
The Fresno, California-based pair of advisors make the 50th team to join LPL’s Linsco channel.
OCT 11, 2023

A pair of advisors who had managed $390 million of client assets at Merrill Lynch moved to LPL Financial and its employee advisor channel, Linsco, the firm announced Thursday.

Jared West and Sandy Brown are launching West Wealth Advisory Powered by LPL Financial in Fresno, California, where they will be the first tenants in a new Linsco office. The team is the 50th to join LPL’s Linsco channel since it launched in 2021.

West and Brown work with high-net-worth individuals and business owners.

The big sell-offs in both the stock and bond markets last year brought home to them the need for more flexibility on the financial solutions they offer clients, and their research led them to LPL.

“Moving to LPL opens the door for our clients to have access to the products and strategies that make the most sense for them, without restrictions on investments or influence from bank mandates,” West said in a statement. “This move is really about freedom for clients and doing the right thing for them. I’m excited to only work for my clients’ best interests.”

The advisors also cited the Linsco model, which helps advisors moving from a wirehouse to the independent model by providing them with a wealth management platform and business resources.

West has 24 years of experience, starting at American Express Financial Advisors in 1998, and had been affiliated with Merrill since 2009, according to his BrokerCheck report. Brown has 21 years of experience, beginning at Citigroup in 2001, and joined Merrill in 2017, where he teamed up with West.

Staffers Samantha Medeiros and Rachel Schwendiman join them in the move.

Here's why boutique fund managers often beat the big guys

Latest News

How AI search aided scam from phony NFL player, fake financial advisor
How AI search aided scam from phony NFL player, fake financial advisor

Daejon Love and Taylor Chan's $1.3 million romance fraud scheme exposes how AI search engines can be manipulated by fabricated online identities

Schwab ordered to pay clients $1.34 million in crypto dispute involving elderly client
Schwab ordered to pay clients $1.34 million in crypto dispute involving elderly client

“It was a third party scam,” said the attorney representing the claimants.

RIA moves: Mercer adds to Atlanta presence with veteran advisor from Northern Trust
RIA moves: Mercer adds to Atlanta presence with veteran advisor from Northern Trust

Meanwhile, &Partners draws another Commonwealth practice, and Wealthcare welcomes a $550 million planning practice in the Northeast.

CogniCor adds wealthtech veterans to board in renewed RIA push
CogniCor adds wealthtech veterans to board in renewed RIA push

Palo Alto AI platform recruits RIA and fintech leaders as industry data show AI adoption reshaping advisor staffing.

Advisor moves: Merrill draws $1.2 billion UBS team in New Mexico
Advisor moves: Merrill draws $1.2 billion UBS team in New Mexico

Meanwhile, Raymond James, Wedbush, and LPL recruited veteran advisors from across Texas, North Carolina, and California.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income