Industry

Following Don Plaus's retirement announcement last week, Merrill is moving around longtime veteran insiders to fill his role.

The RIA acquirer's private equity deal followed a year of sharply rising profits despite slumping stocks and bonds in 2022.

The LifeSync platform could help advisors bring in new clients who are close to existing clients, as well as win over new held-away assets.

In addition to voluminous recordkeeping, due diligence and expense, what constitutes a "covered function" may vary from firm to firm.

Two-thirds of small-business owners would rather get a mullet or remove a nest of angry bees than do their taxes. 

Don Plaus, a Merrill veteran who oversaw the Private Wealth advisors' expansion in Florida, came from a "modest background" but over a long career, rose to lead teams advising many of the world's richest people.

Customers will enter or modify their financial goals in Life Sync, which will immediately alert their financial advisor. 

The founders of the Financial Professionals Coalition contend that most industry groups back firms and big players. They plan to stand up for the little guy.

The Finra report suggests that advisors looking to tap into these clients will find savers with improved financial capabilities.

Sequoia Financial Group is one of many buyers tapping into the opportunity, to the tune of more than tripling its size in less than three years.