Osaic

The independent broker-dealers big enough to serve the most financial advisors enjoy advantages but face distinct challenges.

The list shows how firms of all sizes face a pivotal balancing act in seeking to recruit and retain advisors.

Grappling with margin pressure, consolidation and fragmentation, the sector questions its identity.

The basic yet revealing query shows why it’s not just about FINRA registration as a BD and 1099 contractor status for advisors.

For the first time, the ranks of the top 25 firms according to their annual business include single entries for IBD networks.

SagePoint Financial failed to adequately supervise reps who recommended that clients exchange the products before maturity, the regulator says.

While CEO Jamie Price says tech capabilities rather than cost savings prompted the decision, he acknowledges the need to win over the reps who are now set to change firms.

The No. 1 IBD added Securities America’s largest enterprise, whose founder says the firm’s new private equity-backed owner made him uncertain about the future.

Rivals and rating agencies aren’t taking any breaks in the pandemic, and CEO Jamie Price says the new giant IBD network remains on track as well.

Ratings agencies predict major losses for all of the largest BDs, prompting firms to reassess strategies in uncertain times.

Moody’s lowered the giant IBD network’s credit rating with sobering words that could resonate across wealth management.

Wealth management firms should track the lives they impact beyond the size of their client books, KMS Financial Services CEO Erinn Ford says in an episode of Financial Planning’s Podcast.

Faced with the retention risk from the RIA-only channel, firms are trying to alter their company cultures and questioning traditional approaches.

The recent moves display the stakes of the competitive recruiting fight, which has led to firms like AmeriFlex seeking to give advisors greater flexibility and resources.

Rivals will be waiting to seize on any changes that may irk some 4,400 representatives poised to operate under a new parent IBD network.

The record level of transactions — as well as long-term industry shifts — often prompt advisors and other wealth management professionals to assess their options.

With the industry closely watching the complex integration, the selling network's parent divulged how it struck the $1.3-billion agreement to form a giant IBD.

The firm hasn’t made any decisions about advisor retention bonuses, but some top shareholders will earn tens of millions of dollars once the deal closes.

The acquisition of Ladenburg Thalmann for $1.3 billion would take the private equity-backed firm into the realm of the largest firms in the sector.

The Reverence Capital Partners-backed network would expand into nine subsidiary brands with 11,500 advisors under the deal, taking the selling firm private.