Firm cites “universal appeal” of its private-client platform. Bear Stearns has hired four senior brokers in four of its offices. The securities trading company says the appointments prove its commitment “to grow” its private-client unit “by attracting the most experienced and talented brokers in the industry.”

The latest additions to Bear Stearns’ retail brokerage unit are Bill Fry, David Mizrahi, Bob Venzor and Chad Reibman. Bear Stearns says it has added more than 50 brokers in the past 12 months. Bear Stearns’ total rep count hovers around 500, according to the firm’s website.

No holding back

“The addition of these individuals – four leading brokers from across the country – adds further proof that our firm's culture and client driven platform is universally appealing,” says Steve Dantus, head of Bear Stearns’ private-client group. “Their decision to join us further solidifies Bear Stearns as the place where successful, experienced brokers can better serve their clients and continue to build their business.”

Fry, Mizrahi and Venzo come in as managing directors. Reibman starts as an associate director. Fry is the only institutional advisor of the bunch. The others focus mainly on high-net-worth clients.

Fry comes to Bear Stearns’s Dallas office from Legg Mason, whose brokerage business is being sold to Citigroup. Mizrahi, who works in Los Angeles, was last at Wachovia. Chicago-based Venzo is an ex-Merrill Lynch broker. Reibman joins Bear Stearns’ Bellevue, Wash., branch from Oppenheimer.

Bear Stearns established the Bellevue branch, a satellite of its Seattle office, in 2004 to accommodate a team of Oppenheimer brokers it had just lifted out. Last spring it opened a Chicago-office satellite in suburban of St. Louis to seat a team of former Merrill brokers it had hired.

In addition to the centers mentioned, New York-based Bear Stearns has private-client offices in Atlanta, Boston and San Francisco as well as a New York-office satellite in Whippany, N.J. –FWR

.