Finance

Median sale prices for RIAs have long been ticking upward. But some valuation experts argue that impending retirements could lead to an oversupply of firms on the market — and lower price tags.

Clients have many reasons for not divulging details on the assets they have at, including embarrassment. Advisors say it's still important to understand their total financial picture and, above all, not be judgmental.

A note by Morningstar DBRS analysts warned of the risks working against big RIA aggregators' success in consolidating a fragmented channel of the industry so rapidly.

Nearly one-quarter of long-term couples admit to hiding a money secret from their partner, according to a recent study. But when it comes to advisors helping these clients, it's not actually about the numbers, one behavioral expert said.

The latest Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook (FACO) finds advisor sentiment turned slightly pessimistic again this month as financial planners looked for ways to insulate clients' portfolios from global economic shocks.

Longevity and constant financial tickers these days often trigger retirees' fears that they will outlive their assets. Here's how financial advisors can coach them through.

Large wealth managers are chasing a multitrillion dollar opportunity to manage more of their clients' assets. But many high net worth investors give their business to multiple firms, whether out of a desire for protection, habit or a need to shop around for the best returns.

New research from the TIAA Institute finds financial literacy slipping further, with investors across generations struggling to with risk comprehension.

Valuation experts say RIA purchasers are most attuned to organic sources of growth — assets from new and existing clients. But market gains also play a role.

With anticipation mounting on pending IPOs from giants like Anthropic, SpaceX and OpenAI, here's what advisors are saying to eager clients who want in.

A report from the Financial Stability Board said limited transparency in the private credit market makes it difficult for regulators to monitor and understand risks, potentially masking challenges to the financial system.

RBC's U.S. wealth business also benefited from a surge in loans to clients.

Bill Hamm's Independent Financial Partners took a rare step in 2019 when the firm left LPL to launch its own brokerage. Now it's offering an interesting recruiting pitch to financial advisors.

Merrill, BMO and Schwab are among many firms helping clients take out security-backed loans against market gains to avoid capital gains tax hits.

Financial planners who joined the Transparent Advisor Movement's first "Flat Fridays" meetup touched on the difficulty of explaining the industry to consumers.

Join us next month for a discussion on whether more clients should be in private markets, how advisors can explain the pros and cons of alternative investments, and just where crypto and digital assets belong.

Evaluating private equity performance is notoriously difficult due to lack of transparency. Asking these 3 questions makes it easier for financial advisors.

Despite the war in Iran and uncertainty over interest rates, the latest Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook shows that advisor sentiment has turned positive for the first time since January.

A GAO report suggests that blanket rules on spousal consent for 401(k) withdrawals could solve "financial infidelity problems — and exacerbate them.

The proposal is part of what SEC Chairman Paul Atkins calls his "Make IPOs Great Again" agenda.