Advisor moves: Veteran-led UBS team overseeing $460 million migrates to Merrill

Veteran-led UBS team moves to Merrill in Tennessee

Merrill Lynch announced the addition of financial advisor Peter Choy to its Nashville, Tennessee office.

Choy, who spent nearly more than 20 years in the financial services industry at UBS before joining Merrill, manages $460 million in client assets. He is a recurring honoree on Forbes best-in-state advisor and team lists.

A graduate of West Point, Choy joins Merrill's Volunteer State Market, led by market executive Tyson Moore, and is accompanied by business manager Holly Adams, registered wealth management client associate Weston Zierer, and wealth management associate Katie Malecky.

Choy's practice had approximately $4.3 million in annual production at the time of the move.

News of his arrival at Merrill came in the wake of another move across the country, in which a father-son team with an operation spanning two states came to the firm from Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo adds four advisors across the West

Wells Fargo Advisors announced the addition of four financial advisors to its ranks in the San Francisco and Northwest markets, collectively managing approximately $825 million in client assets and bringing a combined 95 years of industry experience.

Kathren Wills joined Wells Fargo Advisors from Raymond James in Bellevue, Washington, overseeing more than $230 million in client assets. She is accompanied by her son Blake Wills, who joins as an Associate Financial Advisor, and Client Associate Nelly Johnston.

In Napa, California, Daniel Dwyer recently joined from Edward Jones where he oversaw nearly $320 million in client assets. Dwyer is joined by client performance analyst Erin Hofacket.

Earlier this month, Brandon Harper moved from J.P. Morgan in Lafayette, California, bringing more than $130 million in client assets. Meanwhile, Samuel Mattson joined from J.P. Morgan in Vancouver, Washington, managing nearly $145 million.

Apart from those West Coast moves, Wells Fargo notched a substantial win this month in its independent advisor channel, FiNet, which picked up a $650 million team from Stifel's own independent arm in Pennsylvania.

Wedbush lands 30-year veteran from Stifel

Elsewhere on the West Coast, Wedbush Securities has added Steve Schwary as a financial advisor within its wealth management division, based in Newport Beach, California.

Schwary brings more than three decades of experience serving individuals, families, and multi-generational clients through personalized portfolio management and comprehensive wealth planning strategies.

Before joining Wedbush, Schwary served as first vice president, investments at Stifel, and previously spent more than 15 years as first vice president, investments and senior PIM portfolio manager at Wells Fargo Advisors.

He began his career at Smith Barney, where he held the title of first vice president and senior portfolio manager.

In a statement, Schwary underscored "the entrepreneurial culture and commitment to advisor independence" at Wedbush, which allows him to "continue delivering personalized management while deepening the relationships that have been the foundation of my business for the past three decades."