Raymond James Financial Institutions Division welcomes advisor managing $197 million to Woodforest National Bank
Financial institutions working with Raymond James now able to leverage the firm’s Corporate RIA affiliation
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Raymond James Financial Institutions Division (FID) recently welcomed Ronald Folwell, CFP®, as a Corporate RIA-affiliated financial advisor to Woodforest Advisors, located at Woodforest National Bank (WNB), according to Stephen Kruchten, senior vice president and FID national director. Through the Corporate RIA, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., fee-only Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) offer comprehensive wealth management services to clients backed by the firm's robust infrastructure of resources and support.
"Affiliating with Raymond James' Corporate RIA model as part of our national network of FID banks and credit unions offers advisors tremendous flexibility and, in many cases, combines the best of both worlds for them and their clients," said Kruchten. "Our community institutional programs and advisors have embraced this new offering with enthusiasm, as it enables them to take advantage of the full breadth of Raymond James' advisory resources and solutions while alleviating the compliance and regulatory requirements associated with operating their own independent RIA."
Operating from WNB's office in The Woodlands, Texas, Ronald is joined by client services associate Laura Folwell. He previously managed approximately $197 million in client assets at United Capital Financial Advisors.
Ronald is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He began his career in 1991 as an advisor at Ameriprise Financial, remaining with the company for 23 years until transitioning to United Capital in 2014.
"We're excited to welcome this highly experienced and respected team to our growing investment program," said Steve Tucker, president of Woodforest Wealth Strategies. "The ability to leverage Raymond James' Corporate RIA model as a turnkey affiliation option for new and existing advisors is a strategic advantage for operational planning, recruiting and retention. Most importantly, it allows our program to continue providing clients with best-in-class services and solutions."
About Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.
Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., the firm’s Corporate RIA, was introduced in 2022 to offer full-service support and resources to exclusively fee-based practices led by Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs). Within the Corporate RIA, fee-only IARs operate as independent contractors without the need to establish and manage an independent RIA. As part of the AdvisorChoice® affiliation platform, advisors gain full access to the firm’s infrastructure of advisor services including comprehensive wealth management resources, integrated technology platform, strategic and creative marketing and succession planning consulting.
About the Financial Institutions Division
The Financial Institutions Division was established by Raymond James in 1987 to provide banks and credit unions with an alternative to traditional third-party investment providers. Raymond James provides full-service securities brokerage and advisory services to financial institutions seeking to compete with the largest banks and securities firms in the country. In addition to a full complement of investment products and services, Raymond James has the ability to deliver investment banking, public finance, research, self-clearing capabilities and wealth management services to both individuals and institutions.
About Raymond James Financial Services
Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. (RJFS), member FINRA/SIPC, is a financial services firm supporting independent financial advisors nationwide. Since 1974, RJFS provides a wide range of investment and wealth planning-related services through its affiliate, Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. Both firms are wholly owned subsidiaries of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF), one of the nation's premier diversified financial services companies with approximately 8,800 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are approximately $1.50 trillion as of Jul. 31, 2024. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com.
About Woodforest National Bank
Celebrating over 40 years of community banking service, Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering outstanding customer service since 1980. Woodforest currently operates over 760 branches in 17 states across the United States and is an Outstanding CRA rated institution. For more information about Woodforest National Bank, please visit www.woodforest.com. Member FDIC. An equal opportunity employer.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Woodforest Advisors is separately owned and operated, and not independently registered as an investment adviser. Raymond James is not affiliated with Woodforest National Bank or Woodforest Wealth Strategies. Security products are: not deposits, not FDIC/NCUA or government agency insured, not guaranteed, subject to risk and may lose value.