Advisor moves: JPMorgan lands $940M Merrill veteran in Los Angeles

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management has hired Tiffany Yu, a Merrill advisor who oversees $940 million in client assets, for its Century City office in Los Angeles, extending the bank’s push to build its advisor ranks in California.

Wells Fargo Advisors and UBS also announced advisor additions over the first week of November, drawing talent from Morgan Stanley, Edward Jones, Merrill and Fidelity Investments.

Yu brings more than 30 years of wealth management experience and joins Elevate Wealth Partners, where she will work alongside wealth partner Eric Gray. The team offers planning, investing, banking and lending services to wealthy clients, according to the firm.

“Tiffany is a highly accomplished advisor with a proven track record of helping clients work toward their financial goals and navigate complex wealth planning needs. We’re proud to have her join J.P. Morgan Wealth Management,” said Michael Rogers, regional director at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. “Her hire builds on our established presence in the Los Angeles community and strengthens our ability to meet growing client demand there.”

The firm said Yu’s arrival follows other California hires made earlier this year under Mollie Colavita, head of J.P. Morgan Advisors. In Los Angeles, it signed David Amar, who manages $1.1 billion and returned to JPMorgan after a stint at William Blair. In Palo Alto last month, it added Pourya Naeimi, a $533 million advisor who moved over to the bank from Wells Fargo.

JPMorgan says it has roughly 240 branches and about 4,500 employees in Los Angeles.

Read more: JPMorgan advisors launch $18.6B RIA Latigo Peak sans PE backing

Wells Fargo Advisors recruits from three rival firms

Wells Fargo Advisors has picked up three advisors who together manage more than $750 million, pulling them from Morgan Stanley, Edward Jones and Merrill.

The most sizeable addition came from Kellon Lawrence, who left Morgan Stanley in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He manages more than $470 million in client assets.

In Shelby, North Carolina, Scott Sharp departed Edward Jones with more than $135 million in client assets. Senior client associate Ashlea Gregory made the move with him.

Jon-Marc Blalock, who manages approximately $150 million, joined from Merrill in Palm Desert, California, bringing Cristina Cardenas with him.

The hires add a recruiting rebound developing at the wirehouse, which has been adding practices from competitors throughout 2026.

According to the most recent advisor transition report by Diamond Consultants published in October, Wells Fargo attracted 437 advisors during the first half of 2026, with inbound movement across its Private Client Group, FiNet, and its other channels. 

"Wells Fargo turned the corner, becoming the leader in adding new advisors and teams," according to the report, which also counted movement at Merrill, UBS, and Morgan Stanley.

"Wells is currently the only wirehouse that gives advisors the ability to move from an employee model to an independent affiliation without leaving the broader firm," it added.

Read more: Wirehouses losing more advisors so far in 2026: report

UBS adds Army veteran from Fidelity in Hartford

UBS has recruited Brannon Ozark to its Hartford, Connecticut, office from Fidelity Investments, where he was a vice president and financial consultant. UBS did not disclose the assets he oversees.

Ozark has more than 15 years in financial services, with a focus on wealth management, retirement planning and investment strategy. Before entering the industry, he served as an infantryman in the US Army.

He joins the firm’s Greater New York Metro Market and reports to market director Gabriel D’Amica.

“His depth of experience, thoughtful approach to wealth management and commitment to building trusted client relationships make him an excellent addition to our business,” D’Amica said.