Stifel Financial

The firm is buying City Financial, where brokers oversaw approximately $4 billion, according to the company.

Plus, Wells Fargo hires a $700M team from J.P. Morgan Private Bank and helps a $587M Morgan Stanley team go independent.

The regional firm's new recruits have experience in designing corporate equity compensation plans.

Competing in his first triathlon helped John Pierce discover the direction he needed to succeed in wealth management.

Plus, Benjamin F. Edwards and Ameriprise each add recruits with more than $600M in combined AUM, and Morgan loses a $500M group.

Profits and revenues are down for all but one of the brokerages.

The regional brokerage firm also said it recruited three advisers overseeing more than $150 million in client assets.

"I think the DoL rule has a disproportionate impact on the independent business, and that affected our decision-making," says Ron Kruszewski.

David Paterson, who was the Empire State's top executive from 2008 to 2010, has joined a group that includes former wide receiver Wayne Chrebet.

Several of the largest moves this year show top talent is looking beyond traditional choices.