Financial Advisory Team Leaves Morgan Stanley Smith Barney To Join National Network, Stratos Wealth Partners

Adds to Growing Trend of Financial Advisors Leaving Wall Street Firms

News provided by

Stratos Wealth Partners; LPL Financial

Jun 12, 2012, 12:00 ET

OGDEN, Utah, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratos Wealth Partners announced today the addition of two former Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (NYSE: MS) advisors, Craig P. Adams, CFP and Steve Beierlein to their newly created Utah office. This addition boosts the network of Stratos Wealth Partners to over 125 affiliated advisors managing over $4 billion in client assets under management. The new Ogden office will maintain approximately $250 million in client assets through the transition to an independent business model, enhancing the service experience for their clients in the Intermountain West.

The team has over 70 years of combined experience in the financial services industry and is confident in the positive outcomes that will arise from this move.

"As the investment world changes, it's important for us to broaden our abilities to better serve the financial needs of clients who place their trust in us. An independent client-centered business model allows us to act as our clients advocate first and foremost," said Craig P. Adams, CFP®, Partner and Wealth Advisor. "We look forward to working with clients and customizing portfolios to fit their needs."

Steve Beierlein, Partner and Branch Manager, is equally excited about helping clients in this new business venture. "Being backed by the nation's leading independent broker-dealer in LPL Financial allows us to focus on our number one priority, the concerns of our clients, without bias or conflict."

Adams and Beierlein maintain a direct partnership with Stratos Wealth Partners, a national network of experienced financial services practitioners affiliated with LPL Financial (Nasdaq: LPLA), the nation's largest independent broker-dealer (as reported by Financial Planning Magazine 1996-2011, in terms of revenue). This affiliation combined with the experience of the team is one that will prove Stratos Wealth Partners as a significant wealth management team in the Intermountain West region.

Bill Morrissey, Executive Vice President of Business Development at LPL Financial, said, "We are delighted that Craig P. Adams and Steve Beierlein have chosen to join forces with Stratos Wealth Partners, one of our leading independent branches. This transition reflects both the flexibility and choice we provide to independent advisors that want to affiliate directly or indirectly with LPL Financial, as well as our continued success in attracting advisory practices from all channels to our platform. We look forward to utilizing our industry-leading resources, scale and services to help drive the ongoing growth of Stratos Wealth Partners."

About Stratos Wealth Partners

Stratos Wealth Partners is an independent wealth management firm offering financial planning services to clients throughout the United States. The Ogden, Utah location was created based on a distinct vision of managing clients' needs with a high degree of care not found with Wall Street firms and specializes in working one on one with clients to achieve their individual goals. The goal of the firm's founders is to build the net worth of their clients and transform client portfolios to generate significant spendable income. Through a relationship with their registered investment advisor, a national network of 125 experienced financial services practitioners affiliated with LPL Financial, Stratos Wealth Partners provides their clients with extensive tools and research relevant to today's markets. Stratos Wealth Partners manages $4 billion in client assets nationwide. For more information, please visit www.stratoswealthpartners.com.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advice offered through Stratos Wealth Partners, a Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

SOURCE Stratos Wealth Partners; LPL Financial