US bank Wells Fargo has laid out top management appointments for its expanded brokerage businesses following its merger earlier this month with Wachovia, according to Investment News.

Executives of Wachovia remain in control of two of the three main brokerage channels. Several brokers, however, said they remain concerned since Wells has not yet offered retention packages or even settled on a name for the combined businesses, the publication said.

Jim Hays, president of Wachovia Securities’ branch system, or private-client group, retains the title, with his colleagues John Parker and Mary Atkin remaining, respectively, heads of operations and technology (business services), and chief administrative officer.

In a shift, Kent Christian - who was president of Wachovia’s sprawling independent-brokerage group, which also includes its Latin American branches, its First Clearing correspondent services businesses and its investor resource team serving clients with less than $250,000 of assets - now runs product sales and development, known as the financial services group.

Mr Christian’s former business area has been handed to Wachovia’s Brand Meyer, and it has expanded since Wells Fargo’s HD Vest Financial Services unit of about 5,400 certified public accountants, who also are registered representatives, will “align organizationally” with Wachovia’s Financial Network of independent brokers.

For the moment, John Peluso remains president of FiNet, and Roger Ochs president of HD Vest, although bank officials said more announcements in several areas of the brokerage universe under Christian will be made soon.

Other personnel changes include the following:

Dean Junkans, currently chief investment officer for the Wells Fargo Wealth Management Group, will continue in that role at the combined organization.

Dave Coffaro, chief fiduciary officer for Wells Fargo Wealth Management Group, will continue that role and lead the combined Wealth Advisory, Estate Planning and Trust businesses.

Morrison Creech, head of Wachovia Wealth Management Private Banking, will lead private banking sales for the combined organization.

Carmie Saldana, head of national sales for Wells Fargo Private Bank, will lead sales development for the high net worth segment in the combined group.

Clyde Ostler was named president of Family Office Services. Reporting to him are Susan Mucciarone, who was managing executive of Wachovia’s Calibre family wealth business, and Michael Cole, national director of Wells Fargo’s Family Wealth Group.