Raymond James Financial
Wealth management, banking, and investment services
Financial Advisor Trainee
About the job
- A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university is preferred, with at least three years of relevant work experience demonstrating achievement in sales or a business environment, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training approved by Human Resources.
- Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices.
- Knowledge of financial markets, banking, and financial data analysis and reporting.
- Knowledge of basic principles and methods for promoting and selling products or services.
- Knowledge of the firm's structure, policies, mission, strategies, and compliance guidelines.
- Skill in operating a client relationship management system and other required software applications to produce financial plans, correspondence, reports, electronic communications, spreadsheets, and databases.
- Ability to identify customer needs through effective questioning and listening techniques.
- Ability to organize, manage, and track multiple detailed tasks and assignments with changing priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to learn investment products, industry rules and regulations, and financial planning.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with all organizational levels.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Ability to network in the community and market oneself and Raymond James.
- Securities Industry Essentials examination required unless an exemption or grandfathering applies, or the ability to obtain it within four months of program start.
- Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, or the ability to obtain them within four months of program start.
- Life, Health and Variable Annuity license, or the ability to obtain it within six months of program start.
- Complete training and become skilled to perform the Financial Advisor role.
- Meet production targets that affect company revenue goals.
- Develop a book of business consistent with Advisor Mastery Program goals for assets under management and required production.
- Provide a high level of client service.
- Manage the full client relationship by evaluating financial needs, investment opportunities, current holdings, and available investment capital.
- Help clients identify investment objectives and communicate portfolio losses when necessary while preserving client loyalty.
- Develop the client pipeline through prospecting, networking, community initiatives, centers of influence, and niche development.
- Recommend suitable investment products, solutions, and services based on client needs, time horizons, risk profiles, and preferences.
- Consult internal resources to identify investment opportunities and solutions for clients.
- Open, transfer, and close customer accounts.
- Maintain account records and monitor customer portfolios.
- Make recommendations consistent with economic and financial conditions and client needs and objectives.
- Obtain and verify purchase and sale instructions, enter orders, and follow up on transaction completion.
- Complete required program training and assignments, master assessments, and meet minimum performance and production standards.
- Stay current on investment products, industry rules and regulations, and financial planning.
- Perform other assigned duties.
About the company
Diversified financial services provider serving individuals, corporations, and municipalities. Its services span five segments: Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other, including financial planning, investment advisory, investment banking, research, asset management, and banking and lending. The approach centers on personalized, client-centric service and long-term relationships, with advisors tailoring strategies to each client. The goal is to help clients achieve financial objectives through customized guidance and a broad range of financial solutions.
Company Size
N/A
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Founded
1962
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q3 2026 revenue hit $3.93 billion; pre-tax income rose 33%.
- September 2026 brought $1.75 billion in advisor teams, including Commonwealth defections.
- Clark Capital acquisition added about $47 billion AUM and non-discretionary assets in Q3.
What critics are saying
- Elevated rates and bond volatility pressure advisory flows, lending demand, and capital-markets deals.
- September 2026 succession shifts move Steve Raney out and concentrate more execution on Scott Curtis.
- A compliance scandal triggers defections and client transfers within 2027.
What makes Raymond James Financial unique
- Raymond James combines employee, independent, and bank channels; recruiters leverage advisor autonomy.
- Rai AI rolled out enterprise-wide in Q3 2026, supporting advisors and workflows.
- Private Wealth Guided Portfolios launched September 2026, bundling alternatives for affluent clients.
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Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Professional Development Budget
Company News
Raymond James: A retirement plan solution for small businesses (2026). Hook paragraph: When a wealth manager decides to roll out a retirement-plan platform for its advisors, the headline often reads like a routine product launch. Yet beneath the press release lies a subtle shift that could reshape how small-business owners think about saving for the future - and how advisors position themselves in an increasingly crowded market. Why Raymond James' New SIMPLE IRA Program Is More Than Just Another Offering Personally, I think the real story here isn't just that Raymond James is giving its 8,900 advisors a new tool to sell; it's that the firm is recognizing a quiet demand that has been bubbling under the surface for years. Small-business owners, especially those with fewer than 100 employees, have long been stuck between costly 401(k) plans and the limited flexibility of a basic IRA. What makes this particularly fascinating is that Raymond James is blending the administrative ease of a SIMPLE IRA with some of the customizable features usually reserved for larger 401(k) platforms. From my perspective, this hybrid approach acknowledges that many entrepreneurs want both simplicity and the ability to tailor investment options to their workforce's demographics - a combination that has been surprisingly rare in the small-business space. The Hidden Shift Toward In-House Advisory Services One thing that immediately stands out is the move to bring retirement-plan advisory in-house rather than relying on external record-keepers or third-party platforms. In my opinion, this reflects a broader trend where wealth managers are attempting to own the entire client experience, from investment advice to plan administration. What many people don't realize is that by handling the advisory side internally, firms can deepen relationships with advisors, potentially increasing retention and cross-selling opportunities. If you take a step back and think about it, this strategy also allows the parent company to gather richer data on how small businesses allocate retirement savings, which could inform future product development - a advantage that pure-play record-keepers simply don't have. What Advisors Really Gain (and What They Might Overlook) From the advisor's viewpoint, the SIACS program offers a lever to offer "in-house, non-discretionary retirement plan investing and advice services" without taking on custody or fiduciary liability for the plan assets. A detail that I find especially interesting is the explicit note that advisors won't earn commissions for recommending SIACS, yet the filing acknowledges a potential conflict of interest that will be managed through disclosure and fiduciary duty adherence. Personally, I think this disclosure is a double-edged sword: on one hand, it shows regulatory awareness; on the other, it hints that the firm anticipates advisors might still be tempted to push the program for reasons unrelated to client benefit, such as meeting internal sales targets. What this really suggests is that the success of the program will hinge less on the product's features and more on how rigorously advisors adhere to the fiduciary standard when presenting it to small-business clients. The Bigger Trend: State Mandates, Tax Incentives, and a Coming Wave Retirement plan offerings are projected to surge from roughly 830,000 in 2025 to over a million by 2030, driven largely by state-level mandates and attractive tax credits. In my view, Raymond James' timing is hardly coincidental; the firm is positioning itself to capture a slice of a market that is expected to be dominated by small businesses. What many observers miss is that this wave isn't just about quantity - it's about the quality of advice that will accompany those new plans. As more employers are compelled to offer retirement options, the demand for knowledgeable, trustworthy advisors will rise sharply. From my perspective, firms that can combine scalable technology with genuine, personalized guidance will likely outperform those that merely plug a product into a sales pipeline. A Personal Take on the Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure If there's one takeaway I'd emphasize, it's that the acknowledgment of a potential conflict of interest, while technically correct, feels like a minimal compliance gesture rather than a proactive effort to align incentives. Personally, I think the industry would benefit from going beyond disclosure and exploring compensation models that truly tie advisor remuneration to participant outcomes - think longevity of account balances, employee engagement metrics, or even retirement readiness scores. Until then, programs like SIACS will remain useful tools, but their impact may be limited by the very human tendency to prioritize short-term gains over long-term client welfare. Looking Ahead Ultimately, Raymond James' move is a microcosm of a larger evolution in wealth management: the blurring lines between product manufacturing, advisory services, and plan administration. What makes this development intriguing is that it forces advisors to wear multiple hats - product specialist, fiduciary guide, and business consultant - all while navigating a regulatory landscape that is becoming increasingly nuanced. In my opinion, the firms that thrive will be those that view these new offerings not as revenue streams in isolation, but as opportunities to deepen trust, demonstrate expertise, and help small-business owners build retirement security that lasts far beyond the next quarter. Top Articles Article information Last Updated: 2026-09-25T03:47:49+07:00 Views: 6077 Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted) Name: Patricia Veum II Birthday: 1994-12-16 Address: 2064 Little Summit, Goldieton, MS 97651-0862 Phone: +6873952696715 Job: Principal Officer Hobby: Rafting, Cabaret, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Inline skating, Magic, Graffiti Introduction: My name is Patricia Veum II, I am a vast, combative, smiling, famous, inexpensive, zealous, sparkling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
Viking Therapeutics has priced an upsized $500 million concurrent public offering of common stock and convertible senior notes. The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company will sell 7,857,143 shares at $35.00 per share and $225 million in 2% convertible senior notes due 2032. The offering size was increased from the previously announced $200 million for each component. The notes carry an initial conversion price of approximately $50.75 per share, representing a 45% premium over the public offering price. Viking estimates net proceeds of approximately $258.2 million from the common stock offering and $218 million from the note offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and expenses. The company intends to use proceeds for continued clinical development of its VK2735 and VK3019 programmes, as well as general research and development purposes. Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Jefferies, Leerink Partners, and William Blair are serving as joint book-running managers.
Raymond James attracts two teams totaling $1.75B. Two teams are joining the firm's employee and independent channels. The latter is the latest team to join Raymond James from Commonwealth, following LPL's acquisition of the broker/dealer. September 24, 2026 Want a quick summary? Raymond James added two teams this week, including a $1.25 billion Iowa-based group that joined its employee advisor channel and a $500 million team out of Rochester, N.Y. via its independent channel. The Clive, Iowa-based team includes David Lobriecki, Dan McPhail Jr., David Haas and Willis Gaer. They're joining Raymond James as Greenwood Wealth Partners from D.M. Kelly & Company, a Des Moines, Iowa-based broker/dealer. They managed about $1.25 billion in assets and offer financial planning and investment advice for families, business owners, foundations, endowments, nonprofits and retirees. They're joined by Practice Business Manager Holly Ellsworth. In a statement, Lobriecki said Raymond James' culture and respect for the team's independence helped seal the deal and that they'll access "an expanded investment platform, comprehensive wealth management resources and the home office support to serve clients across a broad range of financial goals." Lorbiecki has over three decades of industry experience, having spent 30 years at D.M. Kelly. McPhail and Haas first registered in 2007 and 2008, respectively, while Gaer began working in the industry in 2022. Also this week, Raymond James recruited Todd Harris, Connie Gilderhus, Sarah Fuller, Robert Conderman and Joseph Palma to its independent advisor channel. The $500 million team is joining from Commonwealth Financial Network and offers financial planning for families, corporate executives and retirees. Harris, the team's principal, has more than two decades of industry experience, while Gilderhus has 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Fuller has more than 35 years of experience and holds a CFP designation, while Palma and Conderman entered the industry in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The move comes as Commonwealth advisors' integration into LPL Financial continues apace. LPL closed its acquisition of Commonwealth in August 2025, but teams are nearing the deadline to transition onto LPL's platforms by the end of 2026, according to prior statements from LPL. Raymond James has been one of the most significant beneficiaries of teams looking to leave Commonwealth ahead of the conversion, and the firm has boosted its recruitment spending over the past year, according to earnings reports. Last May, the firm attracted Financial Strategies Retirement Partners, a 12-advisor team in Bedford, N.H., that oversaw $2.8 billion in client assets at Commonwealth. Senior Reporter, Wealth Management Patrick Donachie is a senior reporter for Wealth Management, covering federal and state regulation, litigation and M&A deals in financial services. Patrick was born in Staten Island, and now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Raymond James launches Leveraged Finance & Debt Advisory group. Raymond James is expanding its investment banking platform with the creation of its Leveraged Finance & Debt Advisory group, which will serve corporate and financial sponsor clients from New York. Led by Drew Weisman as senior managing director and head of Leveraged Finance & Debt Advisory, alongside Alvin Ng as director, the group will provide private debt placements, debt capital markets advisory, term loan B facilities and high-yield bonds. The team will arrange financing for refinancings, recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and general corporate purposes. The expansion is also intended to strengthen Raymond James' financial sponsor coverage and its ability to advise clients across the capital structure. The new group adds two experienced leveraged finance bankers from Jefferies (NYSE: JEF). Weisman spent 15 years at Jefferies, where he founded and served as global head of its private debt finance & advisory group and headed consumer & retail leveraged finance. He also previously led European structuring & origination in London, helping build Jefferies' sponsor finance business in the region, and worked on leveraged finance, private debt and capital markets advisory transactions across sectors including consumer & retail, distribution, metals & mining, paper & packaging, maritime, and power & utilities. Ng spent seven years in Jefferies' leveraged finance group, originating, structuring and executing leveraged loans, high-yield bonds, private debt and capital markets advisory transactions focused on consumer & retail and distribution. He previously worked at HSBC (NYSE: HSBC) and Citi (NYSE: C). Carson Group Adds Intrinsic Investors to Carson Wealth in Great Lakes Intrinsic Investors provides financial planning and investment management services to individuals, families, trusts, retirement plans and philanthropic organizations. To read the entire story, you must be logged in. Peakline Partners Purchases Kalon Capital Kalon provides equipment financing to businesses across a range of industries. To read the entire story, you must be logged in. Nutanix Acquires Ryax Technologies Ryax Technologies develops technology that automates infrastructure, data, hardware and code management for AI workloads. To read the entire story, you must be logged in. Cornell Capital Buys Hancock Claims Consultants Hancock Claims Consultants is a provider of outsourced claims field services to residential property and casualty insurance carriers. To read the entire story, you must be logged in.
Raymond James expands key investment banking teams. Investment bank Raymond James (RJF.N) has strategically expanded its capabilities by hiring several managing directors from rival firm Jefferies' (JEF.N) consumer and retail investment banking unit. Raymond James, a St. Petersburg, Florida-based investment bank, offers a comprehensive suite of financial services, including investment banking, wealth management, and capital markets advice. This move underscores Raymond James' ongoing commitment to bolstering its specialised financial advisory teams within key sectors. The new appointments include Drew Weisman, joining the leveraged finance team, alongside Steve Tricarico, Russ Shoemaker, and Hub Orr, who will be part of the consumer and retail investment banking team. These hires are set to significantly expand Raymond James' consumer and retail division, building on its 2021 acquisition of consumer-focused boutique bank Financo. Mr Weisman's addition is also expected to bolster the bank's leveraged finance practice, according to sources familiar with the matter. Raymond James has demonstrated a strong presence in the consumer and retail sector, having advised on several significant deals in recent years. Notable transactions include the more than $1 billion sale of baby care brand Coterie to Mammoth Brands, the sale of hair care brand Not Your Mother's to Henkel, and the sale of men's personal care brand Dr. Squatch to Unilever. Furthermore, the bank's capital markets team has been active in the sector this year, working on initial public offerings for companies such as Jersey Mike's and Bob's Discount Furniture. Neither Raymond James nor Jefferies immediately responded to requests for comment regarding these appointments.