Advisor Movement Accelerates: Raymond James, &Partners, and Janney Secure Key Talent in Recent Wave of Recruitment

The landscape of wealth management continues to shift as major brokerage firms and independent advisory platforms compete aggressively for veteran talent. In a series of high-profile moves that underscore the ongoing consolidation and reorganization within the industry, Raymond James, &Partners, and Janney Montgomery Scott have each announced significant additions to their respective rosters. These latest developments, which include the transition of multi-million-dollar practices and the recruitment of seasoned managing directors, highlight a broader trend of advisors seeking platforms that balance personalized service with advanced technological capabilities.

Truist Duo Transitions to Raymond James Employee Channel

In the most significant development of the recent recruitment wave, Raymond James & Associates—the firm’s employee advisor channel—has successfully onboarded a high-performing team from Truist. Lance Longwater and Christopher “Ryan” Haffey have joined the firm as managing directors, bringing with them a substantial book of business. According to announcements from Gregg Stupinski, the South Atlantic regional director for the Raymond James employee channel, the team oversaw approximately $700 million in client assets prior to their move.

The transition of the Longwater Haffey Group is a notable acquisition for Raymond James, particularly given the prestige of the team within the industry. Supported by senior registered client service associate Traci Havens, the group has earned recognition as one of Forbes’ best-in-state wealth teams, a distinction that speaks to their rigorous approach to financial planning. By joining the Raymond James platform, the team intends to continue providing customized investment strategies and comprehensive financial planning to their existing client base, which includes individuals, families, and various institutional clients.

For Longwater, who boasts over 26 years of industry experience—including a 14-year tenure at Truist Investment Services—the move represents a strategic decision to align with a firm that prioritizes both advisor autonomy and technological innovation. Haffey, also a veteran in the financial services sector with a registration record dating back to 2000, joins his partner in emphasizing the importance of the firm’s resources.

Reflecting on the transition, Longwater noted that the decision to join Raymond James was driven by a desire to build upon the personal, planning-centered approach that has defined their practice. “We joined Raymond James to build on the personal, planning-centered approach our clients value while gaining access to the firm’s broad resources and capabilities,” Longwater stated. He further emphasized the importance of the firm’s infrastructure, noting that the AI-forward technology platform at Raymond James is instrumental in supporting their ability to maintain an attentive, relationship-focused service model for their clients. This emphasis on leveraging technology to enhance, rather than replace, the human element of advisory work remains a core pillar of the strategy employed by the newly rebranded Longwater Haffey Group.

&Partners Expands Footprint with $357 Million Texas Practice

While Raymond James bolstered its employee channel, the independent wealth management firm &Partners has continued its rapid expansion strategy by adding Riseling Wealth Management, a family-run practice based in Dumas, Texas. This latest acquisition, which adds $357 million in prehire assets under management to the firm’s growing balance sheet, marks a continuation of the aggressive growth trajectory that &Partners has maintained throughout the year.

The practice is a multi-generational endeavor, led by Larry Riseling and his son, Reid Riseling, both of whom serve as partners and wealth advisors. The team also includes another son, Craig Riseling, who serves as a wealth management associate, alongside senior client service associate Denise Meschke and client service associate Brooke Brown. The team joins &Partners after a tenure at Edward Jones, according to their BrokerCheck records with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

The addition of the Riseling team is emblematic of the niche focus that &Partners often targets. The practice specializes in investment management and retirement income planning, with a specific focus on the needs of farm and ranch families, energy workers, retirees, and multigenerational households. This regional specialization allows the practice to address the unique financial challenges faced by clients in the Texas panhandle and surrounding areas.

For &Partners, the acquisition of Riseling Wealth Management is not an isolated event but rather part of a larger, systemic effort to scale its operations. Riseling is the 132nd practice to join the firm, and notably, it is the fifth addition in the month of October alone. The firm’s growth over the past two months has been particularly robust, with nine practices collectively managing approximately $7.4 billion in prehire assets joining the fold. By the conclusion of the third quarter, &Partners reported a total of $65 billion in assets, a figure that continues to climb as the firm successfully recruits advisors looking for an independent model supported by enterprise-level resources.

Janney Montgomery Scott Recruits Edward Jones Advisor in Miami

The trend of advisor migration continues in the South Florida market, where Janney Montgomery Scott has announced the recruitment of Christopher Manimbo. Manimbo, who joins the Philadelphia-based firm as a senior vice president and wealth management advisor in Miami, brings more than $250 million in client assets to the firm.

Manimbo’s move is accompanied by Thomas Fagan, a senior registered private client associate, ensuring continuity for the clients who have transitioned with them. Beyond their presence in Miami, the team is set to maintain a footprint in Janney’s Fairfield, Connecticut office, allowing them to service a geographically diverse client base. Manimbo’s career trajectory is extensive, spanning nearly two decades in the financial services industry. He initially entered the field as an investment banking analyst before transitioning into an advisory role at Edward Jones, where he spent a significant portion of his career building his practice.

The move to Janney is being framed as an evolution of Manimbo’s service model. “I’ve built my practice around understanding what matters most to each client and developing wealth management strategies that reflect their individual goals,” Manimbo said in a statement. “Janney gives me the flexibility and personalized support to continue working that way, backed by the resources and capabilities to serve clients as their needs evolve.”

For Janney, the recruitment of Manimbo is part of a deliberate effort to expand its presence in the South Florida corridor. The firm has been increasingly active in the region, noting that it has added 10 advisors across Miami, Boca Raton, Palm Beach, and the surrounding areas in recent years. This geographic focus aligns with the firm’s broader strategy of maintaining a boutique, client-centric culture while providing the logistical and research support necessary to compete with larger national wirehouses.

The cumulative effect of these moves—from the large-scale transition of the Longwater Haffey Group to the specialized growth of &Partners and the regional expansion of Janney—serves as a barometer for the current state of the wealth management industry. As advisors assess their options, the common denominators across these transitions remain consistent: a desire for superior technological support, the flexibility to maintain a highly personalized client service model, and access to the deep analytical and investment resources that are essential in an increasingly complex financial environment. For firms like Raymond James, &Partners, and Janney, the challenge—and the opportunity—lies in providing a platform that meets these high expectations while fostering an environment where advisors can thrive for the long term.