Former $700M Merrill Team Goes Indy

Former $700M Merrill Team Goes Indy

Four advisors from Merrill Lynch with $700 million in combined client assets have left the firm to launch an independent practice with Dynasty Financial Partners.

Former wirehouse Advisors Ross Fox, Matthew Papazian, Marti Awad and Sarah Keys have collectively moved to the independent space with Cardan Capital Partners, named after the 'cardan' suspension navigational tool, which is used to ensure a ship's stability in both calm and rough waters, according to Dynasty.

The Denver-based firm will focus primarily on corporate executives, professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs, according to the firm.

"The continued evolution of technology and strategic partners in the independent space has made the independent model compelling for our clients and for us," says Ross A. Fox, a Cardan Capital founding partner.

Fox started his career in financial securities at First Investors Corp. in 1982 before later joining Merrill Lynch in 1987, according to FINRA's BrokerCheck. Prior to his work in helping launch Cardan Capital, Fox held several positions with Merrill including senior vice president of wealth management at the firm's office in Cherry Creek, Colo., according to Dynasty.

Awad previously served as a vice president of wealth management at Merrill Lynch, Dynasty says. Before joining the wirehouse in 2006, Awad worked for UBS and Bank of America, FINRA records show.

Papazian began his career with Merrill in 1989, according to BrokerCheck. Keys also started her financial securities career with Merrill in 2007, FINRA says.

Ex- Merrill vice president Richard Sisung also joins Cardan Capital as a senior associate, the firm says. Sisung got his start in the industry with the trust department at the National Bank of Detroit, according to Dynasty.

In response to an influx of RIA recruitments, Dynasty recently appointed a director of relationship and transition services in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. 

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