HighTower has established itself in the Philadelphia market with the addition of a former Merrill Lynch team with $650 million in assets.

The Sarian Group is the ninth large team the Chicago-based firm has added in the past year and the 36th since its founding in 2008. The two advisors who comprise the group, Gregory C. Sarian and Francis X. Masse II, have 35 years of combined experience and join the firm as partners and managing directors.

According to HighTower’s executive vice president of business development, Mike Papedis, the firm’s advisor-owned was one of the factors in the group’s decision to move.

More info: HighTower Opens First Philadelphia Office With Former Merrill Team | On Wall Street.