November 19, 2019
Louis Diamond Quoted
By Lisa Shidler
When Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC, raised $50 million from private equity earlier this year, it immediately used half the money to cash out early internal shareholders — but not because the company isn’t growing and morphing like crazy.
Steward has grown from 60 to 115 advisors, with 19 advisors, six new offices and $13 billion in assets added this year, according to CEO Jim Gold.
The new 1099 model competes even more directly with Raymond James, says Louis Diamond, principal of Diamond Consulting.
But Raymond James gains more than it loses.
“If Steward wins then Raymond James wins. While it may seem like a competing model, it’s a different flavor of Raymond James,” Diamond says.
“It was a smart move to add a 1099 model. It gives them a greater opportunity to recruit advisors to the firm. It has resonated with a ton of people.”
