NEW ADVISERS
Merrill Lynch lists 13 of 158 first adviser registrations
The 158 source-reported first adviser registrations were dated October 7, 2026. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated was the listed firm for 13.
By Claire Bennett·Edition ·1 min read
Sean F. H. Cook and Landon S. Harris were among the advisers whose first adviser registration was dated October 7, 2026. Both were listed with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. The full cohort includes 158 first adviser registrations dated that day, and Merrill Lynch was the listed firm for 13.
The other largest listed-firm counts in the cohort were 9 at Equitable Advisors, LLC, 8 at LPL Financial LLC and 7 at Morgan Stanley. The remaining 121 registrations were grouped across all other firms.
These are source-reported first adviser registrations within the selected one-day window, not a measure of hiring or career starts. The firm shown is the current source-listed affiliation and is not necessarily where an adviser first registered.
| Listed firm category | First adviser registrations |
|---|---|
| Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated | 13 |
| Equitable Advisors, LLC | 9 |
| LPL Financial LLC | 8 |
| Morgan Stanley | 7 |
| All other firms | 121 |
First adviser registrations
The advisers below account for all 158 source-reported first adviser registrations on 10/07/2026. Firms and branches reflect affiliations currently reported for each adviser, which may differ from those at first registration. These dates do not establish hires or career starts, and branches do not establish residence or exclusive workplaces.
Showing rows 101–125 of 158. The CSV contains the complete table.
| Adviser | Individual CRD | Source snapshot date | First registration date | Firm in feed | Firm CRD | Adviser location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaylee M. Johnson | 6339929 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Kilter Group | 330356 | Webster, NY |
| Kelsey L. Bryant | 7950555 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated | 7691 | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Kenneth Martin | 8283015 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. | 42803 | Richmond, VA |
| Kristen Haydon | 8193966 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Osaic Wealth, Inc. | 23131 | Sacramento, CA |
| Kristy N. Larm | 8355620 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Hendershott Wealth Management, LLC | 170839 | South Jordan, UT |
| Kyle S. Trokey | 8291536 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Principal Advised Services | 297324 | Charlotte, NC |
| Kylee B. Lawyer | 8120424 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. | 149018 | Grand Junction, CO |
| Landon S. Harris | 8336754 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated | 7691 | Shawnee, KS |
| Laura J. Haas | 8109152 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Newedge Advisors | 171351 | Dallas, TX |
| Lester S. Ernest | 4209031 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC | 19616 | Orlando, FL |
| Lucas Beste | 8338791 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Centaurus Financial, Inc. | 30833 | Spokane, WA |
| Lukas A. Masterson | 8331390 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Hightower Advisors, LLC | 145323 | Naples, FL |
| Mark D. Benson | 8037214 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | LPL Financial LLC | 6413 | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Mary F. W. White | 8311501 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Morgan Stanley | 149777 | Charlottesville, VA |
| Mason C. Barish | 8292739 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Principal Advised Services | 297324 | Charlotte, NC |
| Matthew J. Patterson | 7436069 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | MML Investors Services, LLC | 10409 | Meridian, ID |
| Matthew T. Kester | 8240022 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Ardent Wealth Management | 332593 | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Max G. Kuhle | 8310745 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | 49 Financial | 319484 | Charlotte, NC |
| McConnell R. Albert | 8304131 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Strategic Advisers LLC | 104555 | Dallas, TX |
| Micah Homayounian | 7995364 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Strategic Advisers LLC | 104555 | Santa Monica, CA |
| Mika Ben-Hur | 8098494 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | UBS Financial Services Inc. | 8174 | Weehawken, NJ |
| Montaser Takrouri | 8355081 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Azzad Asset Management, Inc. | 111291 | Chicago, IL |
| Nicholas W. D'Auria | 8196474 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Tandem Investment Partners, LLC | 172309 | Bordentown, NJ |
| Nikhilesh V. Machan | 8106638 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated | 7691 | Princeton, NJ |
| Nkenza T. Whitlow | 3070555 | 10/08/2026 | 10/07/2026 | Wea Financial Advisors, Inc. | 144919 | Madison, WI |