RAYMOND JAMES TO ACQUIRE PRODUCERS CHOICE
May 29, 2015 by Raymond James Financial Inc
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire The Producers Choice, LLC, a private insurance and annuity marketing organization and decade-long partner based in Troy, Michigan.
Producers Choice will operate as part of the Raymond James Insurance Group. The transaction is expected to close mid-summer.
The approximately 60 Producers Choice employees will be retained in the firm’s current location. Principals Blair O’Connor and Dwight Eberts are expected to expand their roles within the organization.
“Enhancing the support services we offer financial advisors so they can serve the holistic planning needs of their clients is an evergreen priority,” said Scott Stolz, senior vice president of Raymond James Private Client Group Investments & Wealth Solutions. “This addition brings more life insurance and annuity specialists to our team to support advisors, while also adding a small external wholesale segment we believe can leverage our internal resources for future growth.”
“We have worked with Producers Choice for almost a decade and recognize its high operating standards and commitment to client service,” said Raymond James CEO Paul Reilly. “Blair, Dwight and their team will be a welcome addition.”
“I am proud to join our company with a firm as well-respected as Raymond James,” said Producers Choice Principal Blair O’Connor. “I look forward to working together to build an even stronger insurance platform for the benefit of clients.”
About Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has nearly 6,400 financial advisors serving in excess of 2.6 million client accounts in more than 2,600 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are approximately $502 billion. Public since 1983, the firm has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1986 under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.com.
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