U.S. Trust loses $450M duo to RBC

RBC Wealth Management has recruited a pair of financial advisers from U.S. Trust Wealth Management, where they ran some $450 million in client assets. Rhonda Smith and Lynn Syler — both senior vice presidents at U.S. Trust, which is owned by Bank of America Corp. — have joined RBC's Gig Harbor, Wash., office, confirmed RBC spokesman Chris Nietupski. He said that RBC now has 15 advisers in the branch. Ms. Smith and Ms. Syler, who generated $2.3 million in annual revenue at U.S. Trust, have also brought their senior associate, Anthony Fuertes, over to RBC. RBC has added a total of 307 advisers this year, which is more than double the total number of recruits the firm added in all of 2008, Mr. Nietupski added. A spokeswoman for U.S. Trust/ Bank of America wasn't available to discuss the departures of Ms. Smith and Ms. Syler. E-mail Mark Bruno at mbruno@investmentnews.com.