BNY Mellon has appointed Michael Puleio as senior director for business development to its Manhattan office, reporting to managing director Katia Friend.

BNY Mellon Wealth Management has appointed Michael Puleio as senior director for business development in Manhattan, reporting to managing director Katia Friend.

The appointment is part of BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s previously-announced plan to expand its sales force in key wealth markets by 50 per cent by the end of this year.

Before joining the firm last month, Puleio was a financial advisor at MetLife, where he worked with entrepreneurs and business owners to implement business risk management, wealth management and estate planning strategies. He also trained other advisors in employee benefits, financial planning for entrepreneurs and advanced estate planning techniques.

Earlier this week, the US firm appointed H Belin Robertson as senior director for business development in the mid-Atlantic region. He joined the Philadelphia wealth management team along with three other investment professionals and reports to managing director Garrett Alton.

BNY Mellon Wealth Management also recently hired Renzo Cerabino, Carolyn Melzer and Clark Stossel as senior portfolio managers in Philadelphia. Combined, they bring more than 40 years of financial services experience and report to managing director Mark Haslam.

The firm has been adding dozens of people to its wealth management business across the US, and internationally. As of December 31, 2013, it oversaw over $185 billion of client assets; the entire BNY Mellon group oversaw $1.58 trillion of assets at the end of last year.