SGC Financial and Insurance Services, a group of 13 financial advisors with more than $1 billion in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets, has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer and corporate registered investment advisor custodial platforms, LPL announced today.

Based in San Mateo, Calif., SGC Financial joins LPL from Securian Financial.

SGC Financial’s roots date back to 1945 when the firm launched as a general agency for an insurance company, according to a press release. The firm later morphed into a large enterprise of financial advisors who focus on providing objective, comprehensive wealth management and financial planning services to help their clients work toward personalized financial goals.

The team is led by chief operating officer Cara Banchero and financial advisor Matthew Bond, who has served as the firm's president since 2011. They are joined by advisors Robert Ostenberg, Peter Evans, Joseph Winslow, Jason Heise, Anthony DiRegolo, Justin Skelton, Aaron Moore, Steve Grochol, Chris Manzi, Patrick McAndrew, Kevin Lyle and Ed Bruzzone, as well as several office support staff. Although the advisors run individual practices, they often collaborate and use a team approach to ensure each client’s unique needs are addressed with the highest degree of service possible, the press release noted.

Bond noted that the SGC team sought greater independence, enhanced technology and growth opportunities, and it chose LPL after an 18-month search. “LPL is committed to investing in technology and innovative capabilities like ClientWorks, where everything talks together and is integrated into one system,” he said in a statement.

"This is a game changer that will enhance both the client and advisor experience," Bond said. "Also, LPL advisors are not required or urged to represent propriety products or solutions, meaning we have more freedom and independence to serve our clients and drive our business the way we see fit.” He added that his firm also appreciates LPL’s self-clearing advantage, which gives the team more control and cost efficiency, as well as the transparency that comes with LPL being a publicly traded company.

LPL Financial, headquartered in Fort Mill, S.C., San Diego and Boston, is the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.