Independent advisors

The 1,778-advisor firm constitutes the largest privately held IBD, underscoring the growing appeal of boutique-like models.

A directive on ETFs took the advisor by surprise after several years with the No. 29 IBD, he says.

Ross Gerber says he left the firm to avoid its strict oversight of his press interviews and social media.

The No. 13 IBD has added 183 advisors through its recruiting efforts in the past two years.

The newly merged practice became the seventh largest at the No. 18 IBD.

The two advisors generated about $1.5 million in annual revenue, according to the No. 3 IBD.

The deal is only the first step in a major growth plan, according to the acquiring firm’s founder.

ACG Wealth’s affiliated IBD has also added teams from LPL and Merrill Lynch. Its CEO says the firm is just getting started.

The math works: Banks get a boost to their growth plans, while independent advisors get one more option for their succession planning.

Two Securities Service Network advisors have purchased 15 firms over a decade, and they plan to buy several more this year.