Raymond James has added a Merrill Lynch duo with almost a million in production to its traditional employee broker/dealer arm.Veteran advisors Jeff Faucette and Tony Williams join in the Huntington, W.Va., office and are the latest in a series of wirehouse teams hired to the firm this year. Raymond James announced in its first quarter earnings report it was continuing to forge ahead in its recruitment efforts after the departure of some lower producing Morgan Keegan advisors caused a slight decline in headcount.

More Info: Raymond James Lures Merrill Team | On Wall Street.

Merrill Lynch has hired four financial advisors overseeing $996 million in client assets from rival firms including Piper Jaffray, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo.

Financial advisor Kevin Robertson moved to Merrill Lynch in Portland, Ore., on Jan. 24 from Piper Jaffray, where he spent almost 11 years. Robertson most recently had $588 million in client assets under management and $1 million in fees and commissions.

More Info: Merrill Lynch Nabs 4 Advisors With $996Mv | On Wall Street.

Baird has bolstered its presence in the Southeast with the addition of two former Wells Fargo advisors who will open a new office in Merritt Island, Fla.

The Milwaukee-based firm has brought on Jim Caprara and Chris Hain of The Caprara & Hain Financial Group to help lead the opening of the office, which will operate in conjunction with an existing Baird office in Sarasota, Fla.

The two are legacy A.G. Edwards advisors who moved to Wachovia and then Wells Fargo through a series of mergers in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

More Info: Baird Nabs 2, Opens New Office | On Wall Street.

Switching firms can be an uphill battle. Its never an easy task, no matter what your reasons are for jumping to the firm next door. You can be making the best decision for your clients and your business, but crossing 10,000 ts and dotting 10,000 is can be quite daunting, even for the most astute advisors and their transition teams. Simply said, its not an easy process.Ever since I entered the recruiting business in 1994, there has been talk that FINRA should regulate upfront bonuses or accelerated payouts. But I fear such regulation has never been closer than it is today. With compliance officers running amok with expanded powers and responsibilities, the privacy of the financial advisor is now in jeopardy. Various recruiters have come out to say that it will all be fine. I say, not so fast!If, in fact, FINRA requires disclosure of all checks of more than $50,000, an already complicated matter will become even more complicated. If you have contemplated making a move in the next three years or so, do it now, before regulators turn you and your book into a sitting duck just waiting to be sued by anybody who may be having a down year.

For More: Now May Be the Time to Switch Firms | On Wall Street.