Raymond James Adds Reps From Merrill, UBS and RBC

Raymond James recently recruited four advisors with a total of about $534 million in client assets from rivals Merrill Lynch, UBS and RBC Wealth Management.

Richard Austin moved to its employee channel in Montgomery, Alabama. He worked earlier at UBS, where he managed over $193 million in client assets.

“After three decades in the industry, I’d heard amazing things about the Raymond James culture through friends I’ve worked with throughout the years … ,” said Austin, in a statement. “This is a great family culture both for my clients and myself as I grow my practice.”

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Austin has been in the industry for 30 years and started out by working on retirement plans and group health insurance at Principal. 

Raymond James also says Jon Russell, CFP, and Ryan Winkler are now part of the employee channel in Novi, Michigan. They moved from Merrill Lynch, where they previously managed $214 million. 

Russell, senior vice president of investments, has worked as a financial advisor since 2003; he began his career with UBS. 

Winkler, vice president of investments, began his financial-services career 12 years ago with AXA and became an advisor at Merrill eight years ago. “Immediately upon joining the firm, we knew right then that we made the perfect choice for our team and clients,” he said.

The firm also added advisor Ruth Kitzmann, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Kitzmann joined the employee channel from RBC, where she worked on $127 million in client assets. 

“I feel strongly that I made the right decision for myself and my clients, and I am excited to grow my practice here,” she said in a statement. Kitzmann has been in the business for 23 years and started her career at Baird.

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