Cetera Financial Group announced that it hired Jen Hanau to serve as Leader of its newly launched RIA and Branches Channel. The new channel joins Cetera’s existing Advisor Channel, Institutions Channel, Large Enterprise Channel, and Tax & Accounting Channel.
Cetera’s New Channel
The firm’s fifth channel provides solutions for independent RIAs, W-2 RIAs and supported independence branches. The channel has over 600 advisors who oversaw about $33.5 billion in client assets as of March, Cetera said.
It encompasses Cetera’s offerings within communities, including Avantax Planning Partners, Cetera Investors, Cetera Blueprint and The Retirement Planning Group (TRPG).
“Hanau will be responsible for developing and executing sales strategies, leading client-facing teams, and driving business growth through innovative and collaborative efforts,” according to the firm.
Avantax is a tax-focused, hybrid W-2 RIA model that partners with CPA firms. Cetera Investors is a network of over 40 branch offices that provides the support for financial advisors to operate independently. Cetera Blueprint is a community supporting Cetera advisors in owning their own RIAs. TRPG is a fee-only, W-2 RIA model.
Hanau’s Leadership
Hanau brings more than two decades of experience in advisor recruitment, platform development and strategic growth.
Most recently, she served as National Managing Director for Mariner Wealth Advisors’ independent channels since January 2024, according to her LinkedIn profile. Before that, she was Mariner’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy starting in May 2022.
In her role as Mariner’s National Managing Director, she played a significant role in “expanding the platform and enhancing its full-service support model,” according to Cetera.
Before Mariner, Hanau held leadership positions at Fidelity Investments for over 11 years and Charles Schwab for over seven years, focusing on advisor recruitment and consulting on the benefits of the RIA model, Cetera said.
“I’m honored to lead Cetera’s RIA and Branches Channel and am excited to build a platform prioritizing clients’ best interests,” Hanau said in a news release.
“Cetera’s commitment to innovation and advisor support aligns perfectly with my passion for empowering advisors to achieve their professional goals while delivering exceptional service to their clients.”
“The launch of our RIA and Branches Channel marks a significant milestone in Cetera’s evolution, underscoring our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of advisors and clients,” said Todd Mackay, President of Cetera Wealth Management.
“Jen Hanau’s extensive experience and visionary leadership make her the ideal choice to spearhead this channel, and we are confident that under her guidance, our RIA and Branches Channel will set new standards for excellence and innovation.”
The firm recently appointed ex-Envestnet executive Andina Anderson to serve as Managing Director, Digital Solutions, and Head of RIA Blueprint, the platform that Cetera says is “central” to its “Wealth Hub” strategy.
Cetera has about 12,000 advisors and institutions who managed over $554 billion in assets under administration and $246 billion in assets under management, as of March 31, it said.
Jeff Berman, Contributing Editor and Reporter at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at jeff.berman@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
