LPL Financial

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

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.

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

Advisors with 200 to 300 clients over-performed more so than peers with bigger sales territories, according to a new study by LPL and Kehrer Bielan.

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

At least three dual practices with nearly $1.5 billion in client assets have left since the No. 1 IBD unveiled the new guidelines.

The No. 9 IBD has emerged as one of the major players in a tough recruiting fight after the massive acquisition.