FP1192017_0
2016 proved to be a record-setting year for RIA M&A deals and the pace shows no sign of slowing this year, according to research and consulting firm Echelon Partners.

“We anticipate a significant increase in advisers looking to drive inorganic growth through an M&A strategy," says Echelon CEO Dan Seivert.

What were some of last year's outstanding benchmarks and what are this year's prospects?

Echelon's inaugural RIA M&A DealBook reveals key metrics that will be of keen interest to both RIA buyers and sellers, including overall deal activity, transactions involving breakaways and billion dollar deals — and where those deals are actually taking place.

Click through to see for yourself.

All data comes from Echelon Partners analysis, the SEC's IARD website and company reports.
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Deals involving big breakaways are usually slower and more complicated, but Echelon believes the pace will pick up this year.
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Teams continue to gravitate to the RIA channel.
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Echelon believes the aggregate AUM total for RIA deals will continue to climb.
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Billion-dollar deals are no longer a rarity.
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Wealth growth in California is booming, a fact reflected in the number of deals consummated in the Golden State.
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Growth trends suggest M&A activity in 2017 will surpass last year's, according to Echelon.
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While the number of billion dollar deals dipped last year, the total doubled from 2014.
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Annual growth for the number of breakaways has averaged over 12% for the past six years.
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Annual growth has slipped in recent years, however, and uncertainty surrounding the fiduciary rule may be a reason, according to Echelon.
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