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Former Raymond James Advisor with $130 Million in Assets Joins LPL Platform

Former Raymond James Advisor with $130 Million in Assets Joins LPL Platform. Adviser, Broker, Broker-Dealer, Financial Services, Investment Adviser, LPL Financial, RIA, Registered Investment Adviser

LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer, announced that financial advisor Stephen Freeman has joined Citizens Wealth Management, the wealth management and financial planning division of Citizens Bank & Trust, the largest community bank based in Marshall County, Alabama, and has onboarded to the LPL Institution Services platform.

Freeman reported having served approximately $130 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets and joins from Raymond James.

LPL says that Citizens Bank & Trust, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Guntersville, Alabama, focuses on serving the communities of northern Alabama by providing quality financial services while delivering exceptional client experiences.

Looking for the next step in his more than 20-year career, Freeman turned to Citizens Bank & Trust and the LPL platform to help him expand his service offerings and achieve his business goals.

“It was important I connect with organizations that give me the freedom to build my practice around my Christian values and my personal goals,” he said. “When you walk into one of Citizens’ offices, there is a sign that reads: ‘Citizens Bank & Trust is an organization established on Christian values that serves its community by providing quality financial services while delivering an exceptional customer experience.’ This mission resonates with me.

“I also was impressed by all of the options LPL provides — more advanced tech, a wider variety of products, and customized account types,” Freeman said. “For example, there are more retirement account options at LPL, which means I can tailor these accounts to my clients’ needs.”

“As soon as we met Stephen, we knew he would be the right person,” said Charlie Williams, president & CEO at Citizens Bank & Trust. “We have a great foundation in the Citizens Wealth Management team. Being able to add Stephen in the Cullman market, along with his commitment to giving back and community involvement, make him additive to both our wealth management division and the bank as a whole.”

“As Citizens Bank & Trust continues to grow, so too does their commitment to personalized solutions and advanced, convenient banking and financial services,” said Ken Hullings, EVP – client success at LPL Financial. “LPL has been privileged to help Citizens Bank & Trust, its leadership, and advisors grow their wealth management services and capabilities. We look forward to supporting Stephen as he continues to serve even more people, families, and businesses in his community with excellent financial advice.”

As reported previously by The DI Wire, LPL reported a net income of $224 million in the third quarter of 2023. Recruited assets during the same time period totaled $31 billion. LPL supports approximately 22,000 financial advisors, 1,100 institution-based investment programs, and 560 independent registered investment advisor firms nationwide.

Citizens Bank & Trust is headquartered in Guntersville, Alabama. It is the largest community bank based in Marshall County and has 10 full-service offices located across northern Alabama. The bank also provides wealth management, mortgage lending, and treasury management services.

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