Raymond James Welcomes Florida Financial Advisors Managing Approximately $200 Million in Assets

Rhea-AI Summary

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF) announced on Oct 2, 2025 that advisors Paul Williamson and Matt Hamilton joined Raymond James Financial Services' independent advisor channel from Commonwealth Financial Network, bringing approximately $200 million in client assets. The team, operating as Paul Williamson and Company in Vero Beach, FL, adds Registered Sales Assistant Donna Clark and Bookkeeper & Client Relations Manager Mary Williamson. The release highlights the advisors' credentials, tenure (Williamson: 15 years at Commonwealth; Hamilton: started 2017), and Raymond James' client-first resources to support multigenerational planning.

Positive

• Approx. $200M AUM transitioned to RJF
• Adds two experienced advisors: Paul Williamson (CFP, RICP, AIF) and Matt Hamilton (CFP, AAMS)
• Expands RJF footprint in Vero Beach / Florida market
• Team includes two support staff: Registered Sales Assistant and Bookkeeper & Client Relations Manager

Negative

• None.

Insights

Senior Financial Analyst

Advisor team bringing ~$200M AUM to Raymond James strengthens RJFS scale and advisor-channel assets; modest positive for firm revenue and client footprint.

Key facts: two advisors (Paul Williamson and Matt Hamilton) and two support staff joined RJFS from Commonwealth Financial Network with approximately $200 million in client assets, per the release. The announcement highlights continuity of client relationships, advisor credentials, and Raymond James resources cited as rationale for the move.

Implications: incoming $200 million in AUM is a tangible, revenue-relevant transfer within the independent-advisor channel. The move signals successful recruitment and retention capability for RJFS and increases scale at the office level. The release contains no financial terms, no client concentration details, and no forward-looking claims about revenue or margins; therefore, measurable impact is limited to asset accumulation and potential fee generation.

Investor-relevant takeaways: this is a positive operational development for Raymond James’s independent-advisor channel because it adds adviser talent and AUM, but the press release provides no quantitative guidance on fees, revenue uplift, or client retention risk, limiting precise valuation impact.

St. Petersburg, Fla., Oct. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Raymond James recently welcomed financial advisors Paul Williamson, CFP^®, RICP^®, AIF^®, and Matt Hamilton, CFP^®, AAMS^®, to Raymond James Financial Services (RJFS) – the firm’s independent advisor channel – according to Todd Gartrell, Southeast division director for RJFS.

The advisors arrive from Commonwealth Financial Network, where they managed approximately $200 million in client assets. As Paul Williamson and Company, based in Vero Beach, Florida, they provide a variety of clients with holistic financial planning and guidance. They are joined by Registered Sales Assistant Donna Clark and Bookkeeper & Client Relations Manager Mary Williamson.

“My career has always been about helping people, first in healthcare and now through financial planning. What excites me about joining Raymond James is the firm’s culture of putting clients first and the resources it provides to help me serve families across multiple generations,” said Paul. “With this partnership, I can continue building relationships that last and ensure my clients have the confidence to pursue their goals.”

Paul, husband to Mary, was a respiratory therapist for eight years before transitioning to financial services in 1994, most recently serving at Commonwealth Financial Network for 15 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State College alongside the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Retirement Income Certified Professional^® and Accredited Investment Fiduciary designations^®.

Hamilton began his career in 2017 with Commonwealth Financial Network. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Glasgow Caledonian University in addition to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and Accredited Asset Management Specialist^SM designations.

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 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are approximately $1.69 trillion as of Aug. 31, 2025. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Paul Williamson and Company is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. 

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^®, and CFP^® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Angel Hernandez
Raymond James Financial
727.567.2824
mediarelations@raymondjames.com

FAQ

What did Raymond James (RJF) announce on Oct 2, 2025 about new advisors?

Raymond James announced that Paul Williamson and Matt Hamilton joined RJFS from Commonwealth Financial Network on Oct 2, 2025.

How much client assets did the advisors bring to Raymond James (RJF)?

The advisors managed approximately $200 million in client assets prior to joining Raymond James.

Where will Paul Williamson and Matt Hamilton operate under Raymond James (RJF)?

They will operate as Paul Williamson and Company based in Vero Beach, Florida within RJFS.

What experience and credentials do the advisors joining RJF have?

Paul Williamson has 15 years at Commonwealth and holds CFP, RICP, AIF; Matt Hamilton began in 2017 and holds CFP, AAMS.

Does the announcement mention support staff joining the RJF team?

Yes. Registered Sales Assistant Donna Clark and Bookkeeper & Client Relations Manager Mary Williamson joined the team.