RBC Wealth Adds $425M Duo From Merrill: Recruiting Roundup

RBC Wealth Management says a team from Merrill Lynch with about $425 million in assets has joined it in Stamford, Connecticut.

Chu, Phillips & Associates includes Joseph Chu, CFP, CIMA, CRPC, who has 16 years of industry experience, and Christopher L. Phillips, CFP, CRPC, CPFA, with 14 years of experience.

“RBC Wealth Management’s long-standing tradition of putting the needs of clients first is what drew us to the firm,” said Chu, in a statement. “Providing our clients with the best possible service is of utmost importance to our team, so we believe RBC is the best place for us to do that, as well as continue to grow our practice.”

“We are honored to welcome Chu, Phillips & Associates to RBC Wealth Management, as they are one of the most well-respected teams in the area,” according to Skip Morton, director of the Stamford branch. “Joe, Chris and the team have a reputation for integrity and work diligently each day to meet their clients’ needs and help them reach their goals.”  

Dynasty Adds Trust, Estate Advisor

Towerpoint Wealth, part of the Dynasty Financial Partners’ network of advisory firms, says Jonathan LaTurner has moved to it from Wells Fargo Advisors in Sacramento, where he has managed about $50 million in client assets for the past six years.

Prior to Wells Fargo, LaTurner worked for First Citizens Bank. He focuses his work on professional private fiduciaries including conservatorships, special needs trusts, estate administration, guardianships, court blocked accounts and tribal trusts.

“I specialize in helping families or individuals with complex needs that require special attention and expertise,” the advisor said in a statement. “From helping investors who are incapacitated and don’t have family nearby, to working with their third-party trustee to manage their affairs, assisting a family that might include a special needs child, or executing a complicated family trust.”

“At Towerpoint, we see significant potential to expand our business in rapidly-growing Sacramento.  There is a real opportunity in this region for a truly independent investment advisory firm to serve entrepreneurs, corporate executives and high net worth families,” according to Joseph Eschleman, who launched the practice about a year ago.

Ameriprise Adds 2 in Northeast

Ameriprise Financial says it added two advisors in the Northeast: Gregory Manto of New York and Ed Pontarelli of Providence, Rhode Island.

Manto joined the franchise channel from AXA Advisors, where he worked with about $87 million in assets. He will now be an advisors and managing partner of Iron Birch Advisors.

“Ameriprise has helped a lot of advisors build efficient and effective practices built on a team model. Each member of the team has defined areas of expertise and responsibility, and they combine their strengths to deliver an exceptional experience for clients,” according to the advisor. “My team and I are excited to embrace this model as we work to serve our clients and grow our practice.”

Coming over to the employee channel from Oppenheimer & Co., Pontarelli has worked with about $76 million in assets. He made the move with registered client service associate and practice manager Carrie McPherson.