Independent advisors

Also this week, Raymond James picks another team from Commonwealth amid its purchase by LPL, and Cetera recruits from B. Riley Wealth Advisors.

A group of former Ameriprise brokers argue they had no say in a court agreement requiring them to hand over their cell phones and other devices to a third-party forensic examiner.

Advisor pay policies are often notoriously complicated affairs. LPL is seeking to simplify it all with a new AI offering that promises to bring "clarity and intelligence to every payout."

A proposed "model rule" would give state regulators laws they could adopt to bring their marketing regulations for investment advisors in line with the SEC's.

Valuation experts caution that advisors selling their businesses put too much weight on EBITDA multiples and overlook many factors that can reduce the value of a deal.

CEO Rich Steinmeier reiterated LPL's goal to retain 90% of Commonwealth's assets and headcount while listing reasons why advisors might think twice about leaving to start their own RIAs.

Patrick Funke & Associates' decision to join Commonwealth Financial Network suggests that despite its pending purchase by LPL, Commonwealth still appeals to advisors seeking a smaller setting.

Industry experts say there's theoretically no reason why firms can't keep getting bigger through recruiting deals. But a lack of good M&A prospects could make growth harder for LPL and other independent broker-dealers.

UBS continues to lose larger advisory teams after making changes to compensation policies last year. Meanwhile, Ashton Thomas and LPL both score advisory teams.

With more than $8 billion in assets under advisement, Simon Quick can comfortably serve high net worth clients. And it's managed to get there without private equity.