Peoples Bank and Trust Selects Cetera Financial Institutions to Enhance and Grow its Investment Services Program

$120 million AUA program moves from LPL to Cetera to elevate client experience, help drive growth

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera Financial Institutions has partnered with Peoples Bank and Trust to further strengthen and grow the bank's investment program, Peoples Financial Management & Planning*. The transition marks a strategic move to enhance client services, expand capabilities, and align with a partner that shares Peoples Bank and Trust's values and commitment to excellence.

Peoples Financial Management & Planning, which oversees approximately $120 million in assets under administration**, will benefit from Cetera's robust technology, personalized support, and deep expertise in serving community banks. The decision to move from LPL Financial followed a comprehensive evaluation process focused on improving strategic growth support including responsiveness, attention to detail, and overall service quality for clients.

"Our clients are, and have always been, at the heart of every decision we make," said Logan Schrag, Executive Director, Peoples Financial Management & Planning. "As we evaluated the support and resources at our prior broker-dealer, it became clear that they no longer met the high level of responsiveness, attention to detail, and service that our financial professionals and clients deserve. We wanted a partner who shares our commitment to excellence, and we found that with Cetera. This move reflects our unwavering dedication to delivering the very best for those we serve, now and as we continue to grow."

Schrag said that after a months-long evaluation, Cetera emerged as the ideal partner, because Cetera was committed to supporting his firm's relationship-driven approach, dedication to rural communities, and unwavering focus on expanding the reach through strategic growth and exceptional client service.

"Cetera Financial Institutions is a natural fit for us as a broker-dealer partner," Schrag said. "Their approach to relationship-building and their commitment to supporting community banks like ours made the decision clear. We're excited to partner with Cetera, and we are confident our clients will experience the same care, expertise, and personalized attention that guided our decision."

In welcoming Peoples Bank and Trust, LeAnn Rummel, President and CEO of Cetera Investment Services, said: "We are proud that Peoples Bank and Trust has chosen Cetera to help drive strategic growth, and we're excited about how well aligned our missions and values are – together we will pursue more growth for Peoples Financial Management & Planning as they move forward with utilizing a holistic planning approach to uncover more client service opportunities while providing deeper and broader services to the communities they serve."

Cetera Financial Institutions is a community within Cetera Investment Services that supports the investment programs of over 450 banks and credit unions. Cetera Investment Services celebrated its 40-year anniversary in 2024, and with nearly 70 renewals signed through October 31, 2024, Cetera Financial Institutions' retention rate was 99 percent for all institutions in its network as of that date. 

About Cetera
Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, empowering independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions. Home to approximately 12,000 advisors and institutions, Cetera's multi-channel ecosystem enables financial professionals to grow, scale or transition their businesses on their own terms.

Unlike traditional IBDs, Cetera offers true choice – blending modern technology, integrated wealth solutions, and a community-driven culture. Cetera's five-channel model and commitment to long-term advisor value provide a scalable blueprint for consistent, repeatable growth.

As of June 30, 2025, Cetera firms manage more than $590 billion in assets under administration and $263 billion in assets under management. Its award-winning Voice of the Customer program has captured more than 40,000 advisor reviews, with over 35,000 five-star ratings, giving Cetera a 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction score.

Learn more at www.cetera.com and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.

Cetera refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, those that are members FINRA/SIPC: Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (f/k/a Cetera Advisor Networks), Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC; and a Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser: Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

*Peoples Financial Management & Planning is a marketing name of Cetera Investment Services. Securities and insurance offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera firms are under separate ownership from any other named entity.

**Value approximated based on asset holding details provided to Cetera as of Sept. 15, 2025.

Investments are: *Not FDIC/NCUSIF insured * May lose value * Not financial institution guaranteed * Not a deposit * Not insured by any federal government agency.

SOURCE Cetera Financial Group