Growth strategies

During Andy Kalbaugh’s tenure with the No. 1 IBD, its headcount grew by more than 50% to nearly 17,000 reps.

With higher compensation offers and a track record of independence, the No. 1 IBD is “challenging the status quo,” its head recruiter says.

The No. 1 IBD revealed new details of its W-2 affiliation after it followed rivals into the employee channel with an acquisition it made last year.

The independent broker-dealers big enough to serve the most financial advisors enjoy advantages but face distinct challenges.

Wealth management firms should define success by how well their operations perform under pressure, Kestra Financial COO Kris Chester says in an episode of Financial Planning’s podcast.

For the first time, the ranks of the top 25 firms according to their annual business include single entries for IBD networks.

This interactive tool provides the full collection of data from Financial Planning's 35th annual study of the largest firms in the space.

The insurer-owned IBD identifies leaders in target markets as it offers independence “with a hug,” according to its head of recruiting.

The company's new service provides leads — and now phone calls — from its 65-million person audience to advisors.

The IBD network had been preparing for disruption, CEO Adam Antoniades says, and it has the financial flexibility it needs to boost financial advisors’ practices.

The privately held firm recruited more than 160 reps in the first quarter on the strength of its balance sheet, CEO Amy Webber says.

The No. 1 IBD added Securities America’s largest enterprise, whose founder says the firm’s new private equity-backed owner made him uncertain about the future.

An RIA platform launched by compliance professionals is growing by offering a smaller home for wirehouse and reverse breakaways, Advisory Services Network COO Cindy Halpern explains in an episode of Financial Planning’s Podcast.

CEO Dan Arnold says the pandemic “will create some structural change across the market and the industry.”

The firm is making another targeted purchase while rivals seek to gain ground with their own deals that reshape the sector.

A lull due to the coronavirus appears to be over, according to the No. 1 IBD’s top recruiter. The firm is still competing against a slew of rivals for ex-wirehouse reps.

The firms have grabbed some three-fourths of the announced incoming advisors, as the pandemic cuts into valuations and casts uncertainty.

Wealth management firms should track the lives they impact beyond the size of their client books, KMS Financial Services CEO Erinn Ford says in an episode of Financial Planning’s Podcast.

The largest enterprise under LPL’s biggest OSJ is getting even bigger, after adding its sixth advisor of the past 12 months.

Financial advisor Alex Chalekian started out his career with a mentor “who was not the nicest person.” Ever since, he has wanted to serve as a resource to fellow planners, he explains in an episode of Financial Planning’s Invest Podcast.