US wealth management firm Stanford Group Company announced plans to open a new private client services office in the southern US city of Atl...

US wealth management firm Stanford Group Company announced plans to open a new private client services office in the southern US city of Atlanta. The Houston-based wealth manager, which is part of the Stanford Financial Group, said the move is part of its strategy to positioning itself as the leading private wealth management firm in the southeastern US. The region is one of the country’s fastest-growing areas for private client services, according to Stanford. The wealth manager has appointed Julian Bradham, former branch manager of Smith Barney in Atlanta, to head up the new office. Stanford said it plans to hire up to 18 financial advisors for the new office. "With the increasing consolidation of the financial services industry, smaller regional boutiques have been swallowed up by larger, national banks,” said Eddie Rollins, executive director of private client services for Stanford. He added: “We see a real opportunity to fill that market opening by becoming the Southeast's premier privately-held high net worth client boutique, devoting our efforts to helping our clients meet their financial goals and distinguished by unparalleled, highly individualized client service.” In the last year Stanford has opened offices in Memphis; Longboat Key, Florida; Dallas and Boca Raton.