Donald Jay Korn

Who wins when advisors leave wirehouses? Just about everyone.

UBS financial advisor Bryan Mountain, number 24 on the Top 40 Under 40 list, helps clients find a balance between finding retirement income and taking on the risks that can grow their portfolios.

Morgan Stanley financial advisor Brad DeHond, number 25 on the Top 40 Under 40 list, says that successfully serving ultra high net worth clients requires a different approach.

Wealthier clients spend more than half their communications time digitally, using email, web portals, social networking, SMS, instant messaging and VOIP calls.

UBS financial advisor Paul Vasady-Kovacs, who places number 26 on the Top 40 list, says that the fixed income emphasis he started out with still informs his work with clients today.

Paul Lofties, who has been promoted to senior vice president of wealth management at Securities America, said that reaching wealthy investors has been a challenge for independent broker-dealers because “traditionally, high-net-worth individuals have done more investing with wirehouses” but he has a strategy for success.

UBS financial advisor Eric Bickler, who ranks number 27 on On Wall Street’s list, has built a successful practice serving current and former corporate executives.

Lincoln Financial Group has selected the FireLight platform to automate and streamline its annuity applications.

Zero Alpha Group, an alliance of independent advisory firms, is zeroing in on the next generation of members’ prospective leaders. The group has formed the Zero Leadership Institute, hoping for positive results.

Thomas Kane, a UBS financial advisor who ranks number 29 on our list, has turned to hedge funds, private equity and real estate to bolster his clients’ portfolios.

When it comes to working with clients, Wells Fargo financial advisor Christopher Purdue, who lands at Number 30 on our list, emphasizes old-fashioned house calls.

When it comes to serving a broad swath of affluent clients, Morgan Stanley financial advisor Andrew Stern relies on a strong asset allocation foundation.

Morgan Stanley financial advisor Carrie Gallaway, who ranks at Number 32 on On Wall Street’s list, says using an empathetic approach to clients was especially useful in the run-up to the fiscal cliff negotiations.

In the wake of the newly-passed American Tax Relief Act of 2012, it’s likely many wealthy clients will continue to make large family gifts. If they are giving away hard-to-value assets, they might consider following a tactic from the Wandry case, decided by the Tax Court in 2012.

The last-minute tax deal cobbled together in Washington contained several key elements for estate planning. Now advisors can break the good news to wealthy clients:

Morgan Stanley's Jim Detterick started out by beta testing a career as a financial advisor. Now he applies that acumen to clients’ portfolios.

IPO volume reached $43 billion in 2012, the highest amount since $49 billion in 2007, reports Renaissance Capital, which tracks IPOs. What can advisors expect for 2013?

Advisors can start the year off on a positive note by going over clients’ insurance plans. Here are some tips from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Jonathan Yolles followed his father and uncle into the financial advisory business. His first client was a distant cousin. Now, he lands at number 34 on the Top 40 Under 40 list.

UBS financial advisor Jonathan Beukelman often works to advise his clients’ children on everything from buying a car to compound interest.