Independent advisors

It's not that most firms lack distinct services and a distinct character. It's that so many are bad at conveying these traits to potential clients.

Regulators contend two firms falsely advertised themselves as the first to apply artificial intelligence to investment recommendations.

The legal action also alleges Mark Lamkin's former associates conspired behind his back to prevent him from leaving with his clients.

The Financial Services Institute continues to push for a return to a Trump Administration rule it contends offered clarity in employment questions.

Barry Sommers comes in for high praise amid his firm's attempts to move beyond the banking scandals of its past.

The proposal comes as regulators say they've seen a fourfold increase in suspicious activity tied to RIAs.

The move brings the 28-year industry veteran from a firm where independent planners make up less than 5% of the advisory headcount to one where they are the majority.

Even planners who are willing to entertain investments in digital assets caution that clients should put no more in than they can afford to lose.

The firm credits its ability to recruit highly productive advisory teams for its strong fourth-quarter balance sheet.

The broker-dealer group is questioning the Department of Labor's plans to replace a simpler rule adopted by the Trump Administration to determine when workers qualify as direct employees.

With few new advisors coming into the industry but total U.S. assets growing rapidly, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Merrill and others are having to up their compensation game and distinguish themselves in other ways if they want to capture a larger share of the wealth pie.

Industry group warns that the change to employment status criteria could put up further barriers to Americans' obtaining financial planning services.

For advisors seeking a type of independence that defies industry norms of success, two female CFPs have launched a co-op promising to be a firm of one's own.

Doctors face many personal finance challenges, from hefty student loan debt to temptations to overspend. Experts share how to win them as clients.

Amid high interest rates, publicly traded real estate investment trusts have been pummeled the last two years. Analysts meanwhile think their private cousins are in for further correction.

Converting prospects and leads to actual clients is key to boosting organic growth but can be daunting. Here's three ways to do it better in 2024.

For clients who care about social impact in their portfolios or financial plans, this relatively young designation can help an advisor deliver more value.

Industry watchdogs weren't concerned only about hot topics like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity but also remote work policies and the ability of brokers to clear their names.

As Angie Herbers looks back on two decades at the consulting firm she founded, she shares how she grew it from nothing and what peers in the industry can learn.

From estate planning to Medicare advice, financial advisors can offer serious value in the coming year.