A wealth management team overseeing more than $2.1 billion in client assets has departed UBS to join Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (FiNet), marking the fourth billion-dollar-plus practice to affiliate with the platform this year. Touchstone Wealth Partners, which operates from offices in Toledo, Ohio, and Bonita Springs, Florida, formally joined FiNet on April 10, according to a statement from the firm.
The team is led by wealth advisors Kenneth Wise, Mitchel Wise, Kenneth Wise II, Kristie Howe, Michael McCullough, Spencer Stone, and J. Brad Tyo, along with chief investment officer Brad Dobson. Supporting them are senior client relationship managers Alicia Monday and Meranda Parrish, client relationship manager Jaclyn Seemann, and office administrator Heather Patterson.
FiNet, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has experienced one of its strongest recruiting periods since inception. In January and February alone, the platform added approximately $5.5 billion in client assets. Earlier this year, FiNet also welcomed Infinity Private Wealth on Long Island, KBK Wealth Management in New York City, and Snow Pine Private Wealth in Wayzata, Minnesota—each overseeing at least $1 billion.
John Tyers, president of FiNet, said in a statement that Touchstone Wealth Partners has built a sophisticated practice with a deep commitment to serving the whole client. He noted that the team will continue to deliver what he called a white-glove experience, backed by Wells Fargo's private wealth capabilities.
The move is part of a broader trend of UBS advisors leaving for alternative platforms. Earlier this month, Andrew Low joined Wells Fargo Advisors in Newport Beach, California, bringing more than $163 million in assets from UBS. In March, a JPMorgan team—advisor Andrew Alfonso and client associate Stephanie Pfister—joined Wells Fargo's private client group in Beaverton, Oregon, with over $315 million in assets.
Beyond Wells Fargo, UBS has seen other high-profile departures. Last week, advisors Jason Stephens and Mic Lundon left UBS with approximately $2.4 billion in client assets to launch Evertern Wealth, a Florida-based RIA focused on family office services. That breakaway was supported by Dynasty Financial Partners, with assets held at Goldman Sachs Custody Solutions.
FiNet has become a magnet for top producers, offering a combination of full independence and the resources of a large investment bank. Roughly a quarter of Wells Fargo's approximately 12,000 advisors are affiliated with FiNet. The bank is expected to provide more details on its advisor recruitment and wealth division growth when it reports first-quarter earnings on Tuesday.
For advisors considering a move, the trend underscores the appeal of independent platforms that provide both autonomy and institutional support. As LPL-Affiliated Genesis Wealth Hires JPMorgan Veteran with $725M; UBS Adds $2B in Southeast; Osaic Lures $300M Team from Wells Fargo illustrates, the competition for top talent remains intense across the industry.
