CEO Jim Cracchiolo said the firm's efforts won't go to waste should the rule be overturned.

Ronald Kruszewski says a shift in the size of transition packages, made in response to the fiduciary rule, "benefits us competitively."

The wirehouse also reported record revenue of over $2 billion for the recent quarter.

The firm is preparing for the fiduciary rule and contesting a lawsuit alleging that Raymond James allowed a $350 million fraud to be perpetuated.

Revenue in 2016 from the retail brokerage business slipped 6% to $281 million from $300 million in 2015.

While fourth-quarter revenue from brokerage services posted a sharp 20% over-over-year decline, the overall wealth management business still managed to come out ahead.

Fourth-quarter revenue jumped 19% year-over-year, while profits soared 57%.

James Gorman laid out plans for the wealth management unit, which turned in record earnings for the fourth quarter.

The advisory business ended the year on a strong note, boosted by growth in net interest income, which rose 14% year-over-year.

The business, which includes Merrill Lynch, said profits were up 1.8% year-over-year, but down 9% from the previous quarter.

CEO Ron Kruszewski says market conditions and the fiduciary rule are dampening growth at the firm and throughout the industry.

Amid reports of a possible sale, assets rise and expenses fall.

CEO Sergio Ermotti pledged that cost-cutting efforts are to continue.

Client assets for the firm's advisory business hit a record high.

"Optimizing choice for our clients … is critical to how we operate as a firm," CEO James Gorman said during an earnings call where the wirehouse reported net revenue was a record $3.9 billion last quarter.

Headcount rises for the 11th consecutive quarter for the wirehouse, which is prepping for the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule.

J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, First Republic and Bank of America were among the institutions questioned on the issue of incentive compensation.

Net income for the wealth management unit rose to $677 million from $606 million for the year-ago period.

Profits and revenues are down for all but one of the brokerages.

Revenue continues to fall for the industry's largest brokerages, but lending remains strong.