Independent advisors

Cetera has provided financing and other services in more than 250 acquisitions across the IBD network since 2015.

IBDs are waging a tough recruiting fight for hybrid RIAs, and Bill Van Law played a pivotal role.

The securities-backed lending platform provides liquidity to borrowers and transparency to advisors, the investment banking giant says.

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.