Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

A $2.2 billion Morgan Stanley team's move to independence shows how breakaways use shell companies to take advantage of the legal pact, and why more than 1,500 firms have signed on.

Eight advisers opened a new office for Merrill Lynch's Private Banking & Investment Group, which serves ultrawealthy clients.

The main objection seems that regulators just don't like the unseemly business of selling products to customers who might not want them.

Keith Rowling rejoined this elite group for a second year in a row.

A firm contest incentivized about 30 advisers to push lending products to clients and created conflicts of interest, according to officials.

The advisory group decided that operating as an RIA was a better option.

The planner, who oversaw $132 million in client assets while at the wirehouse, is starting out on his own with help from Raymond James, the firm said.

How specialty areas are helping this elite group of 20 advisers boost business.

From hiring sprees to accelerating software launches, companies are gearing up for the significant expenses and changes wrought by the new regulation.

The wirehouse's three newest recruits are all industry veterans.