$450M team joins Raymond James from Merrill

$450M team joins Raymond James from Merrill
The Winter Park, Florida-based wealth practice caters to retirees, business owners, and aerospace and defense industry execs.
FEB 27, 2024

Raymond James is poised to finish its February acquisition sprint on a strong note as it onboards another high-net-worth practice into its ranks. The firm announced that Raymond James Financial Services, its independent advisor channel, has just welcomed Jesse Anderson, Christopher McKelvey, and Anthony Gilotti.

Based in Winter Park, Florida, Anderson, McKelvey, and Gilotti are joining the firm from Merrill Lynch, where they ran a practice with over $450 million in client assets under management.

Operating under the banner of Anderson McKelvey Group, the three advisors bring together 36 years’ worth of industry experience across multiple areas of expertise, including financial planning and investment advice.

Their client relationships cover a diverse cross-section of the high-net-worth space, with clients running the gamut from families to retirees, business owners, and corporate executives in the aerospace and defense sectors.

They are joined by their support staff, which includes client service associates Sharon Bhowanidin and Gladys Green, as well as branch operations coordinator Brandon Matadin.

“We feel that Raymond James has the perfect combination of large firm resources with small firm independence,” Anderson, a 22-year veteran of the industry, said in a statement. “Once we explored the firm’s culture and capabilities, the decision became an easy one.”

“I’m pleased to welcome the team of talented advisors and professionals at Anderson McKelvey Group to Raymond James,” said Todd Gartrell, who heads the Southeast division for RJFS.

The Anderson McKelvey Group’s transition to Raymond James comes just a few days after the independent wealth giant announced it was welcoming VistaCrest Financial, a Texas-based practice with a reported $123 million in client assets.

The move is also the latest in a handful of advisor departures from Merrill Lynch this month, including the recent exodus of $2 billion practice Foley DeLuise & Associates to UBS. A billion-dollar advisor duo also left Merrill Lynch to start afresh at LPL with their Pennsylvania-based practice.

Opportunities abound in BDCs, municipal bond closed-end funds

Latest News

LPL building out alts, banking services to chase wirehouse advisors, new CEO says
LPL building out alts, banking services to chase wirehouse advisors, new CEO says

New chief executive Rich Steinmeier replaced Dan Arnold on October 1.

Franklin Templeton CEO vows to "do what's right" amid record outflows
Franklin Templeton CEO vows to "do what's right" amid record outflows

The global firm is navigating a crisis of confidence as an SEC and DOJ probe into its Western Asset Management business sparked a historic $37B exodus.

For asset managers, easy experience is key to winning advisors' businesses
For asset managers, easy experience is key to winning advisors' businesses

Beyond returns, asset managers have to elevate their relationship with digital applications and a multichannel strategy, says JD Power.

Why retaining HNW clients ultimately comes down to one basic thing
Why retaining HNW clients ultimately comes down to one basic thing

New survey finds varied levels of loyalty to advisors by generation.

Stocks drop as investors digest Microsoft, Meta earnings
Stocks drop as investors digest Microsoft, Meta earnings

Busy day for results, key data give markets concerns.

SPONSORED Out with the old and in with the new: a 50% private markets portfolio

A great man died recently, but this did not make headlines. In fact, it barely even made the news. Maybe it’s because many have already mourned the departure of his greatest legacy: the 60/40 portfolio.

SPONSORED Destiny Wealth Partners: RIA Team of the Year shares keys to success

Discover the award-winning strategies behind Destiny Wealth Partners' client-centric approach.