Regional BDs

"We are not going to have a separate robo adviser that would disintermediate our existing advisers," says CEO Paul Reilly.

Headcount at the fast-growing firm was up 327 year-over-year.

Advisers join the regional broker-dealer from Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab.

The largest recruits managed more than $17 billion in client assets.

The regional firm also says it recruited a junior Merrill adviser overseeing $39 million in client assets.

The firm bought the unit, which has over 600 advisers, as part of a $150 million acquisition deal to boost its overall broker ranks.

Some call it 'relentless,' but scouting for the best candidates has resulted in a better array of services from the industry's top firms, says leading recruiter Mark Elzweig.

Three industry veterans – one with more than four decades of experience – oversaw more than $205 million in client assets, according to Raymond James.

The Gryphon Group generated $1.3 million in production before leaving the wirehouse.

William Heinzerling, who has led Stifel’s fixed-income business since 2009, is leaving the firm, according to people with knowledge of the matter.