Industry

An uptick in mergers and acquisition among investment advisory firms at the end of last year suggests that the pace will increase, according to a study by Pershing Advisor Solutions, a unit of BNY Mellon. However, there were fewer deals, and they took longer to complete in last year, compared to the peak in 2007.

Ken Abady, Brad Benter and Steve DeMatteo will join UBS’ San Diego office.

“Clearly, a lot of the same fundamental, structural changes to the industry continue to drive M&A,” says David DeVoe, managing director of strategic business development for Schwab Advisor Services.

Wells Fargo Securities has hired three new public finance investment bankers as the firm seeks to expand its program nationally.

John Thiel will start his new position May 1, according to a company memo sent by wealth management division President Sallie Krawcheck on Wednesday.

Henry Wagner comes to UBS from Stern, Agee & Leach.

Given the stagnant revenue growth that even the strongest regionals reported in the first quarter, there is no indication that Synovus has missed out on much.

Bank of the West of San Francisco has hired John Bahnken as its head of wealth management.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney has revamped the leadership structure for its wealth management business, according to an internal memo sent by the firm's Global Wealth Management President Greg Fleming.

Financial advisors Ian Jones and Peter Jones will focus on the Taft-Hartley market.