$1B Ameriprise Team Joins Wells Fargo’s Independent Contractor Channel

Core Insights - Wells Fargo is actively expanding its independent contractor channel by attracting advisors, exemplified by the recent recruitment of an 11-person advisor team from Ameriprise [1][4] - Clearwater Private Wealth Advisors, led by managing partners Gregg Keele and Ryan Perkins, managed approximately $1 billion in client assets while affiliated with Ameriprise and has transitioned to Wells Fargo's Financial Network to better serve its upscale client base [2][3] Group 1 - The new team operates from three offices in Indiana and is supported by a staff of 12 [2] - The move to Wells Fargo is seen as a strategic progression for Clearwater Private Wealth Advisors, enhancing their ability to serve clients [3] - Keele and Perkins have extensive experience, with Keele leaving Ameriprise after 26 years and Perkins after about 24 years [3] Group 2 - Wells Fargo has been focusing on attracting advisors from both competitors and its own network, having created a new role for overseeing independent solutions [4] - The firm reported over 11,000 advisors across its FiNet and First Clearing channels in its 2024 annual report [4] - Ameriprise reported a headcount of more than 10,000 advisors across its employee and affiliate channels in its 2024 annual report [5]