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Westmoreland, Hansberger, and Mericka Named Top Financial Advisors in Georgia by Barron’s - cbl
Posted February 22, 2012
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Ron Westmoreland
By Bill Murphy
ATLANTA - Ron Westmoreland of Merrill Lynch has been named the top financial advisor in Georgia in 2012 by Barron's magazine. It is the second consecutive year he has won the top spot.
Westmoreland managed $2.30 billion with typical accounts and net worth of the holders averaging $20 million and $40 million respectively. He was followed on the list by Morgan Stanley's James Hansberger (ranked 2nd last year) and UBS' Keith Mericka (ranked 8th last year).
Barron's based its rankings on data from more than 4,000 advisors, factoring in components such as assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice, and philanthropic work.
Barron's said that investment performance "isn't an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients' risk tolerance than by an advisor's investment-picking abilities."
About Westmoreland, Barron's said:
"Undaunted by the rocky economy, Westmoreland's 70 clients look to be doing quite well with their own businesses. Not only are their corporate profits up, but would-be acquirers with extra cash are knocking on the door. ‘There's a lot of M&A activity in the $25 million to $100 million in revenue range; it's as busy as it's ever been in my 33 years in the business,' he says. Westmoreland, 59, invests those windfalls and helps to devise long-term plans, whether that's creating a legacy for the next generation or funding a particular cause. A top priority for him is to construct a portfolio that generates cash flow of 4% to 5% on top of any appreciation, and to invest in asset classes that are undervalued. ‘One of the greatest opportunities today is private equity, because no one wants to be in these illiquid assets,' he says."
Here is some information on the top 10 in Georgia.
Name | Firm | Total Assets ($mil) | Typical Account ($mil) | Typical Net Worth ($mil) |
Rod Westmoreland | Merrill Lynch PBIG | $2.30b | $20m | $40m |
James Hansberger | Morgan Stanley Smith Barney | $1.50b | $5m | $20m |
Keith Mericka | UBS PWM | $1.62b | $25m | $40m |
Buck Wiley III | Merrill Lynch PBIG | $1.08b | $20m | $25m |
Brian Frank | Morgan Stanley Smith Barney | $1.03b | $3.5m | $15m |
Ron Hughes | Merrill Lynch PBIG | $971m | $37m | $42m |
David Higgins | Merrill Lynch PBIG | $1.98b | $31m | $35m |
Ronald Hart | Morgan Stanley Smith Barney | $6.12b | $50m | $100 |
James E. Jowers Jr. | Merrill Lynch PBIG | $1.23b | $31m | $35m |
Bert Ponder | Merrill Lynch PBIG | $1.98b | $31m | $35m |
See the entire list here: http://tinyurl.com/7ermqm6
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