Industry

Expansion-minded Savant Capital Management has bolstered its presence in the vibrant Chicago metropolitan market, acquiring Paragon Advisors, a $150 million firm in Naperville, Ill.

A big LPL practice with $3.7 billion in assets under management is picking up a $300 million Chicago-area firm.

Even as the SEC is contemplating an expansion of fiduciary rules to include broker-dealers who operate in the retail space, some advocates argue that the regulatory interpretation of the responsibilities under a fiduciary standard has strayed from common-law precedent and become dangerously diluted.

Advisors who add corporate services such as deferred compensation, executive benefit programs and defined contribution or benefit plans to their menu of services, serve business owners and executives better. They also differentiate themselves and boost revenue.

NetVEST, which is returning to LPL, has approximately $200 million in client assets and specializes in establishing revocable and irrevocable trusts. The firm had been affiliated with Ameriprise for the past year; but had been with LPL for almost 20 years before that, however.

One of the most challenging things advisor Dave Grant faced when setting up his RIA was deciding on a CRM system.

For Jeffrey Thomasson, founder of Oxford Financial -- the largest firm on Financial Planning's 2013 RIA Leaders list -- smooth waters means it’s time to rock the boat.

Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch brokerage won final court approval of a $160 million settlement of a lawsuit in which it was accused of denying black financial advisers the same opportunities as their white counterparts.

Planned changes to the advisors’ compensation include an increase in the production hurdles on its cash grid.

At first, using social may take a bit longer as you get comfortable, but once you master the tool it will become second nature and will likely become your most powerful marketing and client engagement tool.