Charles Paikert

"The industry is in a position of undeniable strength. I am confident that you'll be able to win," Schwab EVP Bernie Clark will advisors at the EXPLORE conference.

The fiduciary rule proposed by the Labor Department this spring is taking up most of the spotlight.

The new digital platform will cost 10 basis points for advisors who have less than $100 million in AUM under custody with Schwab, but advisors who have more under custody won't be charged a fee.

“The ‘couples conundrum’ is a real risk for financial advisors, who need to get closer to couples and make a deeper connection with them,” says Jennifer Pedigo, managing director for TIAA-CREF Asset Management.

The Constellation deal underscores the importance of banks continuing to be major players in RIA mergers and acquisitions.

"There’s a huge opportunity for wealth managers to provide advice and services around social impact," says Capgemini’s William Sullivan.

A new set of players have shaken up the independent broker-dealer landscape, showing that there's more than one way to throw your weight around. See this year's top players.

Savant's latest deal exemplifies a growing M&A trend: Larger RIAs buying smaller advisory firms, often in the same geographic region.

The wealth division has $700 million in assets under management, according to its latest Form ADV, and only 20 employees performing 'investment advisory functions.'

The job offer from a commercial landscaper came "out of left field," says Dan Krems.

Public hearings begin on Aug. 10 and comments may stretch beyond four months.

Key to the hire was ex-Fortigent CIO Scott Welch's strong relationships with many of the country's top RIA wealth managers.

Impressed by LPL's size and scale, Faubourg Private Wealth Advisors also liked the idea of working with super-OSJ Level Four for additional flexibility, the firms' investment models and multi-custodian platform.

Gen X has more money than the younger millennial cohort -- but it has the same cultural disconnect with advisors. Advisors should start worrying.

Cetera's assets under management climbed to $46 billion for the first quarter, up 32% from $35 billion for the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA soared 50% to $36 million.

"LPL's supervisory breakdowns resulted from a sustained failure to devote sufficient resources to compliance programs integral to numerous aspects of its business," said Brad Bennett, FINRA's executive vice president and enforcement chief.

IBDs are being "purposefully indecisive," when it comes to robo advice, says Celent senior analyst Will Trout. "They are playing a watch and wait game."

"We're betting on financial advisors and personalized financial advice delivered by people," says RJFS President Scott Curtis.

The giant IBD's lingering compliance issues should be "all done in 2015," says chairman and CEO Mark Casady.

The giant IBD is focused on recruiting more than acquisitions, says new president Dan Arnold.