55-year veteran advisor drops Wells Fargo for Ameriprise

After 55 years navigating market turmoil on behalf of clients , financial advisor Robert Bonwell is starting the newest phase of his career in another time of crisis.

The wirehouse veteran and his son, Robert, an advisor of 22 years, joined the Ameriprise employee channel after leaving Wells Fargo Advisors. he Charleston, West Virginia-based team- managed $149 million in client assets under Wells Fargo.

The duo made the transition in January, just weeks prior to the coronavirus outbreak. The pandemic has forced states and cities to close businesses. Ameriprise has said its brokerage force is working remotely.

The younger Bonwell credited the firm’s efforts to cope with the outbreak, such as helping the duo pivot to virtual meetings. “Our clients feel very well supported, and so do we as a team,” he said in a statement.

Ameriprise picked up a team from Wells Fargo that includes a 55-year industry veteran, Robert Arthur Bonwell Sr. (left). Also pictured: Kellie Keeling, registered client service associate, and Robert Arthur Bonwell Jr., financial advisor.

The firm’s new additions represent an ongoing effort by Ameriprise to entice away talent from its wirehouse competitors.

Robert Bonwell had been with Wells Fargo and a firm it acquired during the Great Recession,Prudential Securities, since 1977. He started his career at Bache & Co. in 1965, according to FINRA BrokerCheck records. His son joined him at Prudential in 1997.

Ameriprise also said it recruited Jim Buzgo from UBS in Boston. Buzgo managed $137 million in client assets at his prior firm, according to Ameriprise.

Buzgo started his advisory career at Merrill Lynch in 2001, per BrokerCheck. He moved to UBS in 2009 and joined Ameriprise in February.

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Recruiting Coronavirus Regional BDs Ameriprise Financial Ameriprise Wells Fargo Advisors
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