LPL Financial

Advisor Group surpassed LPL at the top of the list, but consolidation, complexity and change remained the key themes in a highly competitive channel in 2022.

Advisor Group, Ameriprise, Cetera, Commonwealth, LPL and Raymond James are getting bigger and streamlining a crowded field of business as they go.

After helping to build up the largest IBD over more than a dozen years each with the firm, they've landed in recruiting and financial advisor support roles.

The incoming recruits from midsize rival LaSalle St. come as the top IBD sets headcount records and acquires the $40-billion asset Financial Resources Group.

Bradley Goodbred allegedly defrauded a widow in her 90s through a real estate investment scheme, the latest example of a rising number of scams targeting seniors.

With $4.4 billion in client assets, the regional institution's wealth program follows mega-recruits including M&T Bank, BMO Harris and others.

The new employee model, appealing to high net worth advisors, is a step in the independent broker-dealer king's plans to scale up to ultra-high net worth clients.

The deal valued at $140 million plus earnout payments will enable the No. 1 IBD to tap into an OSJ's growth while remaining its brokerage, custodian and RIA.

The firm is also trying to upgrade its services for advisors through new digital chatting tools to get in touch with the corporate office without any phone calls.

Private Advisor Group is going through a CEO succession, while $2.5B firm CCR secured financing from the parent of its longtime brokerage.