Citizens Private Wealth Recruits $1 Billion Financial Advisory Duo From Northern Trust -- Barrons.com

By Kenneth Corbin

Citizens Financial Group has recruited a two-person financial advisory team in Florida's Tampa market away from Northern Trust, where they oversaw more than $1 billion in client assets. Chris MacLellan and Katie Bickle, who lead MacLellan Bickle Wealth Partners, joined Citizens Private Wealth on Aug. 20. Citizens announced the move on Wednesday.

The MacLellan Bickle practice caters to high- and ultrahigh-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners, offering investment management, financial planning, and other advisory services. Citizens says that no support staffers are following the advisors "at this time."

The move comes amid a concerted effort by Citizens to build out its wealth management operation. MacLellan Bickle is the 12th advisory practice Citizens has added since 2024 and expands its presence in an affluent part of Florida. Citizens Private Wealth has operations in the Florida cities of Boca Raton, Naples, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Tampa.

Northern Trust didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the departure.

The trust channel in which MacLellan and Bickle worked as advisors with Northern Trust didn't require them to register as brokers or investment advisors, according to a Citizens spokeswoman, who says both are planning to register as brokers through Citizens Securities.

Citizens says that MacLellan, who has previously been registered as an investment advisor, will primarily focus on investment management. Bickle, whose background is in trust and estate law, will focus on relationship management and planning, according to Citizens.

"Tampa is home to entrepreneurs, business owners, and families whose financial needs are becoming increasingly complex," MacLellan says. "Katie and I are excited to build on the relationships we've developed here and help more clients across the region."

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August 26, 2026 15:20 ET (19:20 GMT)