Raymond James Financial Institutions Division welcomes advisor managing $400 million to First Mid
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Raymond James Financial Institutions Division (FID) recently welcomed Darren Wright, CFA®, MBA, as a Corporate RIA-affiliated financial advisor to First Mid Wealth Strategies (FMWS), located at First Mid Bancshares, 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 offer comprehensive wealth management services to clients backed by the firm's robust infrastructure of resources and support.
Wright joins from CNB Bank & Trust, where he oversaw $400 million in client assets. Together with Josh Schuette, CLU, ChFC, MBA®, an advisor from First Mid Bank Wealth Management, they establish FMWS to focus on meeting the needs of high-net-worth clients. The financial advisors operate within First Mid's Edwardsville, Illinois office where they are joined by client relationship consultant Eric Gibson.
"This decision was based on two key advantages for myself and my clients: innovative technology and improved experience. The robust wealth management platform and advisory resources at Raymond James, combined with the flexibility of the Corporate RIA model, enhance my ability to serve high-net-worth clients, providing them with a quality experience both online and face-to-face," said Wright.
Wright, a seasoned professional in the financial services sector with over 26 years of experience, has held positions at Bank of America, TheBANK of Edwardsville and Busey. In addition to his role at FMWS, Wright will also serve as chief investment officer of First Mid Wealth Management Trust Services. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst® and holds an MBA from the University of Illinois Springfield, as well as a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
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 $1.54 trillion as of Oct. 31, 2024. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com.
About First Mid Bancshares, Inc.
First Mid Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A., First Mid Insurance Group, and First Mid Wealth Management Company. First Mid is a $7.6 billion community-focused organization that provides financial services including banking, insurance, wealth management, brokerage, and ag services through a network of locations in Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin, and a loan production office in Indiana. Together, our First Mid team takes great pride in providing solutions and services to our customers and communities and has done so since 1865. More information about the Company is available on our website at www.firstmid.com. Our stock is traded in The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol "FMBH". Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender.
Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. First Mid Wealth Strategies is separately owned and operated, and not independently registered as an investment adviser. Raymond James is not affiliated with First Mid Bancshares or First Mid Wealth Management. Security products are: not deposits, not FDIC/NCUA or government agency insured, not guaranteed, subject to risk and may lose value.
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