NEW YORK - Benjamin F. Edwards & Co, a start-up brokerage led by former A.G. Edwards president Tad Edwards, recruited a team of veteran A.G. Edwards financial advisers from their new owners, Wells Fargo & Co.

Craig Schermerhorn, who started his career 35 years ago at A.G. Edwards, will open what is the new Edwards' sixth office in Springfield, Illinois.

A.G. Edwards was acquired by Wachovia in 2007, and then a year later became part of Wells Fargo when the two banking giants merged.

Also joining Schermerhorn are veteran advisers David Brumme, Mike Dunlap and Tom Pape (Reporting by Joseph A. Giannone; Editing by Gary Hill)

Wells fargo Wachovia