Former Ameriprise/LPL-Affiliated Team Brings $200M in Assets to Cetera
Jonathan Cunningham and his team at Cunningham Financial Group have joined Cetera, bringing approximately $200 million in assets under administration. Based near Birmingham, Ala., the team integrates investment management, financial planning and tax expertise, and will affiliate with Cetera through Summit Financial Networks, a community within the Cetera network designed to balance independence with high-level support.
Before joining Cetera, Cunningham and the team were briefly affiliated with Ameriprise Financial Services for six months. Prior to that, Cunninham had a long-term tenure with LPL Financial from 2011 to September 2025.
The decision to join Cetera followed a comprehensive national search facilitated by an independent consulting firm. Cunningham noted that Cetera’s “adviser-first culture” and service model were the primary differentiators.
“We were looking for a partner that allows us to stay fully independent while giving us the resources and support to grow,” Cunningham explained. “Meeting the Summit Financial leadership team and seeing how focused they are on supporting advisers… made the decision clear for us.”
Managing Partner Jonathan Cunningham is joined by financial advisers Brian Walsh and Josh Little. According to the firm, its philosophy centers on personalized advice and flexibility, serving clients across various life stages and wealth levels. “Independence allows us to tailor advice to each client rather than forcing them into a predetermined model,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham Financial Group has set an ambitious growth trajectory, aiming to surpass $1 billion in assets under management within the next five years. The team said it hopes to reach this milestone by leveraging referrals, providing high-touch client service, and acquiring like-minded practices to expand their footprint.
“Jon and his team run a collaborative practice centered on delivering thoughtful, personalized guidance to clients,” said Marshall Leeds, Summit Financial community leader. “We’re proud to welcome Cunningham Financial Group to Cetera and look forward to supporting then with the array of growth resources we have at Cetera.”
In addition to Cunningham Financial Group, Wisconsin-based Forward Bank, i.e., Forward Investment Services, returned to Cetera Financial Institutions in January 2026 to support its investment program, which oversees approximately $350 million in client assets. The bank had previously been affiliated with Cetera for 15 years before a four-year stint with Osaic Wealth.
Also, this year, Cetera has picked up several firms formerly affiliated with the now LPL-acquired Commonwealth Financial Network. Ryan Financial Group, a Minnesota-based wealth management firm founded in 1947, joined Cetera Financial Group in February. It had reported overseeing approximately $750 million in AUM as of 2022. And in January, longtime independent financial adviser Jamie Hatfield and his firm, Jamie L. Hatfield Wealth Management, joined Cetera’s Summit Financial Networks. Hatfield reported overseeing $170 million in AUA.
LPL Financial completed the acquisition of Commonwealth Financial Network in August 2025 for roughly $2.7 billion. Shortly after initial news broke of the proposed sale, Cetera’s Mackay was one of the competitors that aggressively courted Commonwealth advisers.
Cetera Financial Group, owned by Cetera Holdings, encompasses Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser, and the following FINRA/SIPC members: Cetera Wealth Services, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC.
Cetera Holdings is home to approximately 12,000 financial professionals and their teams. It oversaw approximately $640 billion in AUA and $294 billion in AUM as of Dec. 31, 2025.
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