Industry

Wells Fargo pulls $722M in AUM from Merrill while Osaic adds a $540M team from Primerica (but gets sued); Stifel sells independent unit, and First Clearing names new head.

When an analyst asked about Fifth Third's $11 billion deal to buy rival Comerica, CEO Jim Cracchiolo mentioned the seller's Ameriprise "contract and agreements."

Unpopular compensation changes at UBS continue to drive advisor attrition, costing the firm billions in client assets. But despite the outflows, executives say the new policy is helping improve UBS' profits.

Resources and personal connections offer significant advantages. But financial advisors and other experts say they only get new RIAs part of the way.

Larry Sprung wasn't looking for love (authors), but he wound up finding a great set of clients.

The choice of buyer and the price get the most attention, but a possible merger of equals and the technology side of the transition could loom large in the strategy.

The Swiss wealth management giant says many of its U.S. clients now "largely rely on other banks for their everyday banking needs."

Wells Fargo also pulls from Merrill and Raymond James again from Commonwealth, while AlphaCore buys up a big RIA and the FPA gets a new CEO.

Industry compliance experts say there are few more complicated decisions than knowing when to leave a firm and start your own advisory practice. The government shutdown is making it worse.

Much like deciding the right client headcount, choosing whether to fire a customer or turn away new business represents an important step in a firm's development.