Ex-Merrill Team Create Atlanta-Based Wealth Firm

Tom Burroughes

7 May 2019

Regent Peak Wealth Advisors, a newly-minted wealth manager in Atlanta led by former Merrill advisor Craig Robson, has partnered with Dynasty Financial Partners.

At his previous firm, Robson oversaw about $450 million in client assets, working in Atlanta at Merrill Lynch, a firm he joined back in 1994. He holds the following designations: CFPä , CIMA™ and CPFA.

The organization uses Dynasty’s integrated Core Services platform for independent advisors and the firm’s turnkey asset management platform . The firm has also chosen Schwab to provide custody services for its clients’ assets and Black Diamond for consolidated asset and performance reporting.

His business employs a total of five staff. Joining Robson from Merrill are Kevin Manning, CFP™ – chief financial officer ; Nathan Hoyt, CFP™ , chief investment officer ; Carmen Laster, chief compliance officer and Emily Raymond, chief operating officer .

The new business, structured as a registered independent advisory firm, said it concentrates on “creators of significant wealth” such as corporate executives, business owners, multi-generational families who want to leave a legacy, pre-retirees, entrepreneurs, and trustees and board directors.

“Dynasty’s capabilities will allow us to market ourselves to new opportunities, such as expanding our offerings to corporate executives,” Robson said.

The firm plans to provide corporate executives with detailed advice and counsel specific to their deferred and/or equity compensation plans in their employers total compensation offerings. In addition, it wants to source lending solutions to assist business owners with their growth initiatives, which may include working capital, acquisition financing, equipment loans and other services.

Recent years have been busy for Dynasty, which has relocated its national HQ from New York City to St Petersburg, Florida, and continues to bring more wealth houses into its network. The firm is profiting from advisors quitting large organizations to set up on their own.

“2019 is shaping up to be yet another banner year for advisors choosing independence. We believe this long-term trend has now become a movement that will not only continue but also accelerate,” Shirl Penney, CEO of Dynasty Financial Partners, said.

In late April, a new wealth firm called Americana Partners joined Dynasty Financial Partners, becoming the biggest "breakaway" move by managers from a big firm so far this year. That firm oversees more than $6 billion and is based in Texas.