Hilltop Securities recruits $376M advisors

Hilltop Securities added four new advisors who managed $376 million in client assets. The new recruits all joined Hilltop's employee channel in Texas.

Advisors Wes Darilek and Saul Lico left Wells Fargo to sign on with Hilltop's private client group in Dallas in June. Veteran advisor Darilek spent 11 years at the wirehouse after a short stint at AXA Advisors, while Lico spent his entire seven-year career with Wells, according to FINRA BrokerCheck.

In July, former LPL advisor Ric Kellogg also joined Hilltop in Dallas. He has 23 years of industry experience, 12 of which he spent at wirehouse Merrill Lynch before a one-year stint with the No. 1 independent-broker dealer, BrokerCheck records show.

Jeffrey Vanover of OakStreet Capital Management spent the majority of his 15-year career at Ameriprise after a short stint at IDS Life Insurance Company, according to BrokerCheck. He joined the private client group in Houston, along with fellow OakStreet staff Scott Sherman and Randy Daniels.

A spokeswoman for Wells Fargo declined to comment on the move. Spokespeople for Ameriprise and LPL didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Under new CEO Brad Winges, who was appointed in March, Hilltop Securities has worked towards expanding its wealth management business. In April, Hilltop hired five advisors from rival firms managing $382 million in client assets.

Collectively, Hilltop's recruiting effort this year has brought in approximately $758 million in AUM, according to the firm.