A former UBS team has joined Merrill Lynch's private banking and investment group in Texas.

Merrill Lynch’s Private Banking & Investment Group has hired private wealth advisor Will Leven and his three-person team in Houston, TX, from UBS, where they managed $1.3 billion.

Leven's team will report to regional managing director Bob Johnson and includes analysts Alora Anderson and Anthony Hoff, as well as client associate Ashlee Kegler.  

As reported in its earnings announcement on July 15, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management’s advisor headcount was up 187 for the quarter, bringing the total to 14,370 advisors – the fifth consecutive quarter of advisor growth.