NewEdge Nabs $1.4B Team in Major Nashville Wealth Management Shake-Up

FRANKLIN, TN – January 29, 2026 – In a significant move that underscores a powerful industry trend, NewEdge Advisors has successfully recruited ClearTrust Wealth Advisors, a prominent 24-person team based in Franklin, Tennessee. The team, which previously operated under Ameriprise Financial, brings approximately $1.4 billion in managed client assets to the NewEdge platform, marking one of the year's most substantial advisor transitions to date.

The affiliation dramatically expands New Orleans-based NewEdge's footprint in the burgeoning Nashville wealth management market and signals the growing appeal of independent, growth-oriented platforms for established advisory practices. ClearTrust is led by a trio of veteran Private Wealth Advisors and Managing Partners—Matt Robins, Nick Stamatis, and Joe Creecy—who have spent the better part of two decades building their practice within the Ameriprise system.

The Great Migration to Independence

ClearTrust's decision to break away is a powerful case study in a broader industry shift often dubbed the “great migration.” For years, top-performing advisory teams have been weighing the benefits of the traditional wirehouse model against the autonomy and flexibility offered by Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) platforms. The move by the ClearTrust partners, who began their careers with Ameriprise and its predecessor firm between 2000 and 2005, represents a deliberate, strategic pivot after more than twenty years.

This trend is driven by advisors seeking greater control over their business, from technology and marketing to investment selection and client service models. By affiliating with an independent platform like NewEdge, teams can operate their own businesses while leveraging the scale, compliance, and back-office resources of a larger partner. This structure allows them to choose their own custodians—in this case, ClearTrust will reportedly custody assets with Raymond James Financial—and build a bespoke service offering tailored specifically to their clientele of small business entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and multi-generational families.

NewEdge’s Blueprint for Growth

For NewEdge Capital Group, the parent company of NewEdge Advisors, the affiliation is a major strategic win. The firm has positioned itself as a premier destination for elite advisors seeking an entrepreneurial path. By providing institutional-level resources with the flexibility of an independent model, NewEdge has fueled its own rapid expansion. The addition of ClearTrust’s $1.4 billion in assets contributes to a platform that already services over $88 billion in client assets, according to company figures from late 2025.

This aggressive growth strategy has earned the firm top industry accolades, including high rankings on lists from Barron’s and Forbes for top RIA firms. The successful recruitment of a team of ClearTrust's size and reputation validates NewEdge's value proposition and strengthens its competitive position in the Southeast.

“Matt, Joe, Nick and the entire ClearTrust team represent exactly the type of advisor-led organization we are proud to support,” said Alex Goss, CEO of NewEdge Advisors, in a statement. “Their commitment to client service, thoughtful growth and team culture aligns closely with our mission. We look forward to partnering with them as they continue to build their business on their terms.”

A Client-Centric Vision

At the heart of ClearTrust's decision is a stated desire to enhance its client experience. In the wealth management industry, such transitions are carefully orchestrated to ensure continuity of service and to deliver tangible benefits to the end clients. For ClearTrust, the move is not about changing its core values but about gaining the tools to better execute its vision.

Joe Creecy, one of the firm's Managing Partners, articulated this motivation clearly. “We chose to affiliate with NewEdge Advisors to gain the flexibility and strategic support needed to advance our long-term vision,” he stated. “The partnership allows us to enhance the client experience without compromising the values and relationships at the core of our practice, while positioning the firm for continued growth.”

This translates into having the freedom to adopt best-in-class technology, access a wider array of investment products, and structure their practice in a way that best serves their specific client niches. By shedding the constraints of a single corporate ecosystem, the ClearTrust team aims to deliver a more dynamic and personalized wealth management service.

Reshaping the Nashville Market

The arrival of a $1.4 billion team under the NewEdge banner sends ripples through the competitive Nashville-area financial landscape. It intensifies the rivalry between established wirehouses and the ascendant independent RIA channel. This move serves as a powerful proof-of-concept for other large advisory teams in the region who may be contemplating a similar path to independence.

The transaction not only bolsters NewEdge’s local presence but also elevates the profile of the entire Nashville market as a hub for top-tier wealth management talent. As more high-caliber teams affiliate with sophisticated independent platforms, it raises the bar for client service and competition across the board, ultimately providing more choice and potentially better outcomes for investors in the region. This partnership is a testament to the evolving architecture of the advisory world, where scale and independence are increasingly intertwined to define the future of financial advice.