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UBS on Friday announced that it has added 11 financial advisors across four teams, lightening the ranks of competitors Wells Fargo and Merrill Lynch in the process.

From Merrill, UBS has added The BG Group, a 13-person team led by advisors Michael Bromberg, Daniel Gerschel, Joshua Ellner, Rob Mancino and Craig Weinstein, according to a UBS press release. The group oversees more than $2.5 billion for high-net-worth individuals and families from across the country, UBS said. Clients include executives, entrepreneurs, financial investment professionals, health care practitioners, attorneys and prominent entertainment-industry professionals.

Bromberg placed 12th and Gerschel 23rd in Forbes’ April 2023 best-in-state ranking of wealth advisors. The team joins the UBS Manhattan Wealth Management Market and will report to Market Director Kellie Brady.

“We believe we have the strongest platform for Financial Advisors in the Americas, and with our suite of high-net worth capabilities and truly global offering, advisors like The BG Group will be able to deliver the full power of UBS to their clients,” Brady said in the announcement.

Bromberg first registered in 1995, Gerschel in 2002, Ellner and Mancino in 2013, and Weinstein in 1991, according to BrokerCheck. Their recently concluded Merrill tenures ranged from nine to 12 years.

Bromberg was registered at UBS previously, from 2001 to 2007, and also served an earlier tour with Merrill in addition to stops at Morgan Stanley and other firms. Gerschel was also registered at Morgan Stanley and left for Merrill in 2014, like Bromberg. Weinstein is also beginning a second go-around at UBS, having been registered there from 2001 to 2006.

Meet Me in Houston

UBS also announced that financial advisors Ignatius “Iggy” Liu and Cathy Lok have joined the firm’s Houston market in The Woodlands, Texas. The advisors, along with Senior Client Associate Sandra Cooper, operate as The AWIS Investment Group, according to the announcement.

The AWIS team helps business owners and families navigate business cycles, venture into new enterprises, expand operations and implement legacy plans, UBS said. They report to Houston Market Director Craig Vandegrift.

“Their industry experience and dedication to clients will be a great addition to our business, and we look forward to having them help us continue to expand our client offering in this key market,” Vandegrift said in the announcement.

Liu first registered in 2006, at Citicorp Investment Services, and moved to Wells in 2018, according to BrokerCheck. Lok had been solely registered at Wells, since 2002, per BrokerCheck.

Sounding Off

UBS’ Soundview Wealth Management Market, comprising southwestern Connecticut, Long Island and the White Plains office north of New York City, added two teams.

Rick Zins and Viv Coelho have joined UBS in Westport, Connecticut. The pair, who previously worked at Wells, report to Market Director Erin McDonald.

Zins first registered in 1992, at Oppenheimer & Co., joined UBS in 1993 and moved to Wells in 2006, per BrokerCheck. Coelho first registered in 2003, at IDS Life Insurance Co., and was registered at American Express, Chase Investment Services and J.P. Morgan Securities before joining Wells in 2015, according to BrokerCheck.

Meanwhile, a third former Wells advisor team, Anthony Riina and Leonard Gabbidon, join in White Plains. They report to Market Director John Houlihan.

Riina first registered in 1991, at Oppenheimer & Co., and moved to Global America Inc., Dean Witter Reynolds, Citicorp Investment Services and First Union Brokerage Services. He joined Wells in 2000, according to BrokerCheck.

Gabbidon first registered in 2007, at Chase Investment Services, and moved to J.P. Morgan Securities before joining Wells in 2014, per BrokerCheck.