Ameriprise welcomes $100M advisor to its branch channel 

Ameriprise welcomes $100M advisor to its branch channel 
Former wirehouse employee says he is ready to expand his practice.
JUN 21, 2024

A former Wells Fargo Clearing Services financial advisor has made the break to Ameriprise Financial in search of an expansive phase of his career.

Michael Cruz’s $100 million AUM practice joins the branch channel of Ameriprise in Temecula, California, bringing a wealth of industry experience spanning more than 30 years. He is supported locally by Ameriprise complex director David Spataro and Ameriprise regional vice president James Frisone.

“I’m at a point in my career where I want to expand and help even more clients. Ameriprise has a wide array of products and services, an extensive financial planning platform and an integrated suite of technology to elevate my client service model and help capture new opportunities and referrals,” said Cruz. 

Cruz adds to the 400 advisors to have joined Ameriprise in 2023 and around 1,700 to have done so in the last five years.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Michael and his clients to Ameriprise,” saidSpataro. “We look forward to partnering with him to achieve the goals he has for his practice and deliver a truly differentiated client experience with all Ameriprise has to offer.”

Earlier this year, the NFL Players Association tapped Ameriprise as an “institutional financial advisor,” the sixth such firm in its registered financial advisor program, which is more than two decades old and was previously limited to individual financial advisors. At the end of last year, there were more than 100 individual advisors in the program.

Latest News

Merrill lands four advisor teams as May recruiting data shows firm's two-way churn
Merrill lands four advisor teams as May recruiting data shows firm's two-way churn

Merrill's latest hires span Colorado to Louisiana, even as industry-wide recruiting data suggests the firm is losing almost as many advisors as it gains.

Fund manager sues Kandeo, alleges $100 million FinSocial loss
Fund manager sues Kandeo, alleges $100 million FinSocial loss

The $36 million buy allegedly hid inflated books and a $50 million diversion.

Advisor gets $200,000 from Ameriprise in 'emotional distress' lawsuit
Advisor gets $200,000 from Ameriprise in 'emotional distress' lawsuit

“An award citing emotional distress is very unusual,” an industry executive said.

Workplace financial education linked to stronger financial habits, but participation remains low
Workplace financial education linked to stronger financial habits, but participation remains low

New EBRI research found workers who participated in employer financial education reported higher confidence, literacy and financial satisfaction.

The rise of the super advisor: How AI is redefining competitive advantage in wealth management
The rise of the super advisor: How AI is redefining competitive advantage in wealth management

Beyond operational excellence, the winning advisors of the future are the ones who can reach across multiple disciplines without discarding specialist skills.

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