Citizens expands private wealth presence in Florida

Citizens Financial Group has expanded its private wealth business in Florida with a Tampa-based advisory team serving high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients, adding to a national expansion that has brought 12 teams into the business since 2024.

The team, led by Chris MacLellan and Katie Bickle serves HNW and UHNW individuals, families and business owners. Prior to joining Citizens Private Wealth, the team served clients who held more than $1 billion in assets in total at the team’s prior institution.

Now serving clients as MacLellan Bickle Wealth Partners within Citizens Private Wealth, the addition gives clients in the Tampa market access to their personalised approach and experience spanning investment management, financial planning, and related advisory services. The team extends the firm’s ability to serve clients with financial needs that cross personal, family and business priorities.

Key Highlights

Citizens Private Wealth has added Tampa-based advisory team MacLellan Bickle Wealth Partners. The team is led by Chris MacLellan and Katie Bickle and serves HNW and UHNW individuals, families and business owners. Prior to joining Citizens, the team served clients who held more than $1 billion in assets in total at the team’s prior institution.

Clients gain access to Citizens Private Wealth, as well as the capabilities of Citizens Private Bank and Commercial Bank. The addition expands and strengthens Citizens Private Wealth's Florida presence, which includes teams in Boca Raton and Naples, Private Bank offices in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, and a Commercial Bank office in Tampa.

Complementary investment, planning and trust experience

Chris MacLellan, managing director, Citizens Private Wealth, will focus primarily on investment management. Katie Bickle, managing director, Citizens Private Wealth, brings a background in trust and estate law and will lead relationship management and planning. Together, they offer complementary experience across portfolio strategy, relationship management, and wealth planning considerations to Citizens’ integrated wealth and banking solutions.

“The addition of MacLellan Bickle Wealth Partners reflects our continued investment in attracting top talent to Citizens Private Wealth in key markets,” said Paul Casey, Head of Citizens Wealth Management. “Their experience and strong client relationships, combined with the capabilities of Citizens Private Bank and Commercial Bank, will help us deliver more comprehensive solutions for business owners and families with complex needs.”

Tampa team strengthens Citizens’ Florida presence

Florida continues to be an important market for affluent individuals, entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, making it a strategic growth region for Citizens Private Wealth. The Tampa team adds to Citizens’ growing presence in Florida, joining Citizens Private Wealth teams in Boca Raton and Naples, Citizens Private Bank offices in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, and a Citizens Commercial Bank office in Tampa. Bringing together Private Wealth, Private Bank, and Commercial offerings together locally strengthens Citizens’ ability to serve clients holistically across the state.

“Tampa is home to entrepreneurs, business owners and families whose financial needs are becoming increasingly complex,” said MacLellan, managing director, Citizens Private Wealth. “Katie and I are excited to build on the relationships we’ve developed here and help more clients across the region navigate growth, transition and what comes next.”

This addition advances Citizens Private Wealth’s strategy to build a national, integrated wealth business and follows the recently announced Southern California wealth team. With the addition of MacLellan Bickle Wealth Partners, Citizens Private Wealth has added 12 teams across the country since 2024. Together, these teams previously oversaw approximately $12 billion in client assets, underscoring growing demand for highly personalised advice backed by the capabilities of Citizens Private Bank and Commercial Bank to support clients across their personal, family and business needs.

Re-disseminated by Wealth and Society