Sanctuary welcomes UHNW duo from Merrill

Sanctuary welcomes UHNW duo from Merrill
The firm adds a $700 million breakaway practice in North Carolina.
APR 02, 2024

Sanctuary Wealth has expanded its presence in North Carolina with its recruitment of a breakaway advisor duo from Merrill Lynch.

On Tuesday, the aggregator announced the launch of Vincita Investment Partners, a new firm in Greensboro, North Carolina, that manages $700 million in client assets.

Led by JJ Marus and Lauren Norris, the latest practice on Sanctuary’s partnered independence platform caters to a base of ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Working with their clients’ estate planning attorneys, tax specialists, and banking partners, Vincita specializes in sophisticated planning for affluent families, offering a concierge approach to financial management that encompasses investment optimization and integrated wealth management strategies.

“Both come to Sanctuary with a history of thriving in all aspects of their lives, with JJ participating in the U.S. Olympic trials as a swimmer and Lauren being a former all-American lacrosse player and coach,” Sanctuary Wealth president Vince Fertitta said in a statement.

“The firm clearly understands what it takes for transitioning wirehouse advisors like us to succeed, having built a unique model that prioritizes client service and helps their partners enjoy meaningful growth,” said Marus, who’s been registered in the industry for nearly 15 years.

Marus also lauded Sanctuary’s alternative investment platform and cutting-edge technology.

“It’s great to not only have a real partner but an entire support system behind us,” Norris added.

In breaking away from Merrill, Marus and Norris splintered from a larger advisory group. The vast majority who chose to stay "believe Merrill is the best place for their clients and the best place for them as advisors to serve their clients and manage their business," according to Steven Alch, southeast division executive.

Prior to welcoming the duo, Sanctuary deepened its footprint in Indianapolis in March with M&K Legacy Wealth, which brought $1 billion from Stifel.

Over the years, Sanctuary has also been the breakaway platform of choice for several Merrill Lynch alums, including the teams at Burnham Harbor Private Wealth in Chicago and Chappell Wealth Management in Texas.

Small-cap growth stocks setting up for big year, says Alger strategist

Latest News

Fintech bytes: Envestnet reaffirms $1B RIA commitment with Tamarac tech investment
Fintech bytes: Envestnet reaffirms $1B RIA commitment with Tamarac tech investment

Also, Orion has added BlackRock, Fidelity, and Vanguard to its custom portfolios suite, and RedBlack has set up a new headquarters after crossing a trillion-dollar milestone.

RIA moves: Maridea acquires multigenerational practice in Pennsylvania debut
RIA moves: Maridea acquires multigenerational practice in Pennsylvania debut

Also, New York-based Legacy Edge Advisors names its first-ever CEO, while Novare Capital Management hires a Vanguard veteran with a multigenerational planning focus.

Private equity eyes 401(k) plans, but fees remain a hurdle
Private equity eyes 401(k) plans, but fees remain a hurdle

Asset managers are racing to bring private market products to retirement plans, but cost and liquidity concerns linger.

IRS floats proposal ending tax breaks for schools that weigh race
IRS floats proposal ending tax breaks for schools that weigh race

Treasury's latest tax-exemption crackdown on private schools lands in the wake of a separate push to restrict refundable credits for some immigrant filers.

Trust over tech:  The hidden signal of stock success in the AI era
Trust over tech: The hidden signal of stock success in the AI era

Workforce trust measures predicted which companies came out ahead during COVID-19. The same dynamic may now be playing out across the AI transition — and the data suggests the spread could be just as wide.

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