Morgan Stanley snags elite Merrill Lynch team in Utah

Morgan Stanley snags elite Merrill Lynch team in Utah
While Morgan Stanley had backed away from recruiting advisers from direct competitors in recent years, the company has recently returned to the market for top-flight advisers.
AUG 18, 2021

A top ranked Merrill Lynch & Co. veteran adviser, Dane Runia, on Monday jumped to competitor Morgan Stanley & Co.

Runia and his eight-person team are based in Provo, Utah, and worked with $3.2 billion in client assets and 85 households, according to recent data published by Barron's. He started with Merrill Lynch in 2006, according to his BrokerCheck report.

A spokesperson for Merrill Lynch declined to comment; a spokesperson for Morgan Stanley confirmed Runia's hiring, but declined to comment any further.

Runia was the leading-ranked adviser in Utah this year, according to Barron's most recent survey. He became registered with Morgan Stanley on Monday, per his BrokerCheck profile.

While the company a few years ago backed away from recruiting advisers from direct competitors like Merrill Lynch because of the high costs of bonuses for advisers, recently it has returned to the market for top advisers like Runia and his team.

According to InvestmentNews' data, Morgan Stanley has had total gains of 352 financial advisers year to date, and a net gain of 68, which takes into account the number of advisers that have left the firm.

Latest News

Stocks rise ahead of packed week of earnings, data
Stocks rise ahead of packed week of earnings, data

Four of the Magnificent Seven will report this week.

Gold down more than 5% in less than a week
Gold down more than 5% in less than a week

Easing anxiety has seen the haven asset slide from record high.

Bond managers grapple with multiple unanswered questions
Bond managers grapple with multiple unanswered questions

Uncertainty remains challenging for Treasuries traders.

Consumers facing higher costs as Chinese firms pass on tariff burden
Consumers facing higher costs as Chinese firms pass on tariff burden

Move will raise concerns of inflationary impact of tariffs.

Americans earning under $200K could pay less tax, or perhaps nothing says Trump
Americans earning under $200K could pay less tax, or perhaps nothing says Trump

President says tariffs could see income tax ‘completely eliminated’ for some

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.