Newark, N.J. – September 08, 2026 -- Prudential Advisors has added Zachary Karason, a Cleveland-based financial advisor who managed more than $106 million in total client assets at U.S. Bancorp Advisors, to its Mid America Financial Group.
Karason brings a $106 million book of business to Prudential's Ohio operation
Karason joins Prudential Advisors' Mid America Financial Group, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, after more than 12 years in the financial services industry. He began his career at Merrill Lynch, rising to assistant vice president, before moving to U.S. Bancorp Advisors as a wealth management advisor. He holds a bachelor's degree from Northwood University.
Prudential cites expanded platform access as a driver for advisor recruitment
John Begley, managing director at Prudential Advisors, said Karason will gain access to an expanded investment platform, enhanced planning resources and updated technology aimed at improving practice efficiency. Pat Hynes, president of Prudential Advisors, said the move strengthens the firm's presence in the greater Cleveland market.
Advisor move reflects broader industry shift toward open-architecture platforms
Karason said he sought greater flexibility to run his practice independently while maintaining an approach centered on transparency and client education. Prudential Advisors currently supports more than 3,000 financial advisors nationwide through an open-architecture model designed for professionals seeking to scale their businesses. Parent company Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) reported approximately $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2026.