Raymond James and Farther are among the firms that have announced new recruits this week.
A six-advisor group has joined independent advisor channel Raymond James Financial Services from Commonwealth Financial Network where Mike McNaughton, Dan Schmitz, Greg Schuler, Traci Lewis, Jeff Santillo and John Woodworth oversaw more than $800 million in client assets.
The advisors operate as OakWood Financial Services in Rochester, New York, where they serve high-net-worth individuals, business owners and retirees.
“Our clients expect thoughtful, coordinated planning – not just investment selection,” said McNaughton, co-founder of OFS. “Raymond James gives us the technology, investment platform and resources to serve clients thoughtfully, while preserving our independence and client-first mindset.”
McNaughton began his career in financial services in 1990 and established the practice in 1999, while Schmitz, who began advising clients in 1996, helped build the practice alongside McNaughton.
“Raymond James and its technology platform supports our team’s ability to work together seamlessly,” said Schmitz, co-founder of OFS. “We look forward to continuing to provide the consistency, collaboration and clear guidance that are synonymous with our practice.”
Meanwhile, wealth platform Farther has added the Greenside Team, previously operating as Livingworth Wealth Advisors who manage approximately $185 million in client assets.
The Greensboro, Georgia-based group includes Brian Doe and Andréa Myers, who together bring more than 25 years of experience advising clients on long-term wealth planning and retirement transitions.
The team focuses on clients navigating the transition into retirement, particularly the period between ages 59 and 70, when decisions around income distribution, healthcare coverage and estate planning often converge. Their work includes strategies such as tax-efficient IRA withdrawals, Medicare and Social Security timing, and estate planning approaches designed to support multigenerational wealth transfer.
In addition to advising individuals and families, the team also works with institutional clients, including nonprofits, drawing on experience in higher education fundraising to advise on donor development and philanthropic vehicles such as donor-advised funds.
“Brian Doe and team have built an outstanding reputation in the greater-Greensboro, Georgia community, for designing investment plans that create stability and confidence in retirement,” said Megan Bailey, VP, Head of Growth at Farther. “Farther is proud to welcome the Greenside Team and provide them with our Intelligent Wealth Technology, so they can further scale their operations and continue delivering excellent client service.”
Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.
Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.
It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.
Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.
Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
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
