May 05, 2026

April 2026 Financial Advisor Moves: Who Changed Firms This Month?

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The West region led April advisor transitions in disclosed client assets with 13 moves totaling approximately $7.5B. The Southwest followed with 12 moves totaling about $5.6B, powered by a pair of Rockefeller Global Family Office additions. The Midwest came in with 14 moves totaling roughly $4.5B; the Northeast recorded 17 moves totaling approximately $4.1B; and the Southeast rounded out the regions with 16 moves totaling about $3.5B. Three additional moves spanned multiple regions, representing approximately $2.9B in combined client assets.

Raymond James once again emerged as the month's most active recruiter by volume, adding 11 teams across its employee, independent, and affiliated channels. Its additions spanned the country and represented over $3.5B in disclosed client assets, with notable pickups including Hull Penza Wealth Advisors ($476M), LKMM ($480M), WRS Wealth Advisors ($450M), and Berit Wealth Management ($450M).

By AUM, Rockefeller led the month by a significant margin — adding three teams representing approximately $6B in combined disclosed client assets. The headliner was Houston-based Post Oak Wealth Partners, a team overseeing roughly $3B in client assets and the largest single transition in April. Rockefeller also added Anderson Gannon Wealth Partners ($2B) and Red Rock Private Wealth Partners ($1B).

Merrill Lynch was also among the top recruiters by assets, adding teams totaling nearly $2.9B — anchored by the addition of Peter Laidlaw from J.P. Morgan Private Bank in San Francisco, a $2.2B move. Morgan Stanley recruited Julian Iragorri from UBS Financial Services in New York ($1.5B), while Stifel added Jason Zehr from TIAA Wealth Management in Ames, IA ($1.2B). Janney Montgomery Scott recruited approximately $1.16B across two additions, including Adam Runk and Greg Marco from FNB Trust in Lancaster, PA ($760M).

Outside of advisor moves, April's notable people news included several CEO appointments, including Michael Gragnani as CEO of Diversified Trust, Richard McIntyre as CEO of Harbourfront Wealth Group, and Alfonso Gómez as CEO of HSBC Private Bank Switzerland. Hightower also named Roberto Stewart as president and chief business officer.

The month saw a number of investment leadership appointments as well, including Louis Hsu as CIO of Digital Ascension Group, Mike Horwath as CIO of Lansing Street Advisors, and Beata Kirr as CIO of Northern Trust Wealth Management's Global Family Office practice, along with Lauren Goodwin joining KKR as managing director and chief investment strategist for Global Wealth Solutions.