Half-Billion-Dollar Practice Moves to Raymond James

An advisory practice with more than half a billion in assets under management has dumped its wirehouse affiliation and hooked up with Raymond James Financial Services.

The Raymond James announced Monday that it had recruited financial advisors Benjamin Weiner, Michal Hlavek, Duke Marsh and Daniel Iosue from Morgan Stanley to its independent channel. The team now operates an independent firm just outside Orlando, Fla., called Winter Park Wealth Group. While affiliated with Morgan Stanley, the group managed in excess of $550 million in client assets and generated $2.3 million in annual fees and commissions.

"We are delighted to welcome yet another accomplished team of advisors to Raymond James," Jodi Perry, Southeast regional manager of RJFS, said in a statement announcing the move. "Ben and his partners have demonstrated a history of providing excellent client service, consistent with the culture and values at Raymond James. Their decision to affiliate with us reflects their appreciation for our firm’s client-first focus, financial strength and extensive support and resources."

Weiner has been in the financial services industry since 1986 and spent many years as a member of Morgan Stanley’s leadership councils. Hlavek began his career as an analyst for Smith Barney in Atlanta responsible for money manager research and analysis before joining forces with Weiner in 2001. Morgan Stanley acquired Smith Barney in 2009.

Marsh joined Shearson/American Express in 1979 and spent 33 years with the firm that eventually morphed into Morgan Stanley. Iosue arrived at Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor in 2011.

"I grew up in this business alongside my father, for whom I have the greatest respect," Weiner said in the statement. "He always reminded me, and now I remind myself and my partners, that we must earn our clients’ trust and confidence every day. We wanted to join a firm where that would be easy -- a firm that was known for its integrity, its independence and its client-first culture. "

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