Raymond James recruits $138M Merrill Lynch team

A team that managed $138 million in client assets while at Merrill Lynch has left the wirehouse for Raymond James, the regional firm said. Patricia Bennett and two associates have joined the Louisville, Ky., office of Raymond James & Associates, according to a released statement. Ms. Bennett, Heather Poole and Kristen Swanson had annual fees and commissions of more than $1 million while at Merrill, Raymond James said. The trio operates as the Creekstone Financial Group. After spending 13 years with two major office products companies, Ms. Bennett began her financial services career in 2002 with Smith Barney in Louisville before moving to Merrill Lynch in 2007.