Benjamin F. Edwards Taps 3 Wells Fargo Advisors for Illinois Expansion

Boutique brokerage Benjamin F. Edwards has opened a new office in Woodstock, Ill., with the addition of three former Wells Fargo advisors.

“We are pleased to be adding these talented professionals to our team in Illinois,” Benjamin F. (Tad) Edwards IV, chairman and CEO of the firm, said. “Our commitment to empowering our advisors to serve their clients as they see fit, along with our broad array of products and services, is an appealing combination in the current competitive environment.”

The St. Louis, Mo.-based brokerage, which currently operates 27 branches across 15 states, was founded in 2008 by Tad Edwards IV, the great-great grandson of Albert Gallatin Edwards, who founded A.G. Edwards, which was rolled into Wells Fargo in 2008 as part of the merger with Wachovia. The firm has pulled a number of legacy A.G. Edwards advisors from Wells Fargo, and all three recruits are legacy A.G. Edwards advisors.

The Wormley team of James T. Wormley and his son, Ryan Wormley will be senior vice presidents – investments in the new office. James Wormley began his career at A.G. Edwards in 1983, and his son started there in 2003, according to public records with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. They are joined by their senior registered financial associate, Sandy Shay, as well as James T. Wormley’s younger son, Matt Wormley, who will serve as a financial associate.

They report to branch manager and senior vice president-investments, Dennis Anderson, a 20-year veteran of the financial services industry who had served as a branch manager at A.G. Edwards for eight years after beginning his career there in 1992. Jenny Murray, a 25-year industry veteran, will be assistant branch manager and senior financial associate and will assist with managerial and client service responsibilities.

Anderson cited the culture and technology platform as a primary reason for the move.

“The firm’s progressive technology platform gives us the ability to use our smartphones and tablets to access our financial planning tools and client information at the office or in our clients’ home or business,” Anderson said in a statement. “This flexibility will be incredibly helpful as we work to provide personalized financial advice to our clients, which include individuals, families, foundations and endowments.”

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