Stifel and RBC recruited five advisors who collectively managed approximately $470 million in client assets, according to spokespeople for the companies.
The moves show
Many of these hires — including two of Stifel’s new recruits — have come at the expense of wirehouses.
“They appreciate the fact that we have liability-side capabilities, but we do not push or cross-sell banking solutions,” John Pierce, Stifel’s head of recruitment, said in a statement.
Mark Melillo, the largest of Stifel’s new advisors with $81 million in client assets, joined the firm from Wells Fargo Advisors. He is based in Yardley, Pennsylvania. Melillo had been with Wells Fargo for 19 of his 35 years in the business, according to BrokerCheck.
Lance Mason is a distinguished accounting professional and licensed CPA known for his ability to bring clarity to complex financial topics. He began his career at Ernst & Young, where he built a strong foundation in public accounting before moving into the startup ecosystem. There he has applied his deep expertise in ERP systems like Oracle NetSuite to help these startups scale. An engaging speaker, he combines practical experience, technical acumen, and a forward-thinking vision to deliver insights that resonate with accounting professionals and business leaders alike. His storytelling approach not only demystifies accounting concepts but also inspires a broader conversation about the future of capital markets.
Harish Kapur is the president and CEO of Across America Insurance Services, a specialized wholesale insurance brokerage serving the specific needs of the commercial trucking and transportation industry, including E&S service offerings.
The CFP Board promised to enhance its review processes after an investigation found major shortcomings. A new analysis of CFP data found that the problem has only gotten worse.
In Memphis, Tennessee, Stifel hired former Hilliard Lyons advisor Allan Bowden. He was responsible for $75 million in client assets, according to Stifel. Bowden, who has 44 years of industry experience, had been registered with Hilliard Lyons since 1991.
Bowden left the Louisville-based firm ahead of its
Stifel also hired Grayson Hopper from Merrill Lynch, where the Austin, Texas-based advisor had overseen $74 million in client assets, according to his new employer. Hopper had been with Merrill or Bank of America since 2003, according to BrokerCheck.
RBC’s new hires, Arch Hoffman and Luna Xu, also joined from Merrill Lynch. The San Francisco-based team previously managed $238 million in assets, according to RBC. Hoffman has a decade of industry experience. Xu has four years.
Spokespersons for Merrill Lynch and Hilliard Lyons could not be reached for immediate comment. A spokeswoman for Wells Fargo Advisors declined to comment.
