Raymond James Financial

With AI concerns crimping wealth management firms' stock values, an analysis by Fitch Ratings reveals the companies' underlying dynamics after a strong 2025.

Advisors continue to exit Commonwealth following its acquisition last year by former rival LPL Financial.

Contrasting his firm with private equity-backed consolidators, Paul Shoukry said Raymond James has the luxury of recruiting advisors who will stay for the long haul.

Wealthy parents fear their kids will squander their inheritances. Financial planner Mary Clements Evans solved for that while cementing her firm's future.

Nick Francia of UBS, Matthew Gallo of Merrill and Ryan Bass of Raymond James all once felt their youth to be a perceived liability. Now, in an industry with an imminent retirement wave, they see it as an asset.

Raymond James tapped industry veteran Mark Buchanan to lead a new ESOP advisory group focused on tax-advantaged succession strategies.

CEO Paul Shoukry took a swipe at big private equity-backed acquirers, saying in an earnings call that most advisors want to be at firms "where they're not going to have to have another disruption in three to five years."

Many owners of privately held businesses are planning to sell at least part of their interests in the firm in the next five to 10 years, a Raymond James study found.

The independent broker-dealer has done especially well recruiting Commonwealth advisors since that firm's acquisition by LPL Financial.

Raymond James accuses the widower of an advisor of using data stored on his wife's company-issued computer to solicit clients for a rival firm.

Raymond James has gone from being one of the lowest payers of third-party recruiters to one of the higher. That's helped it get more "swings at the plate" with teams looking to leave rival firms.

The numbers don't reflect much change in the low representation of female wealth management professionals, but there are some signs of progress.

Each of the biggest firms in the channel grew substantially in 2024, but LPL's giant M&A deal to buy Commonwealth for $2.7 billion has further consolidated the ranks.

Firms like LPL, Cambridge, Osaic, Independent Financial, Commonwealth, Raymond James, Ameriprise and Cetera are racing to develop new tools.

The large St. Petersburg, Florida-based wealth management firm claimed its best advisor recruiting figures since the global financial crisis, though it didn't cite specifics.

The popular industry recruiting and retention barometer provided another window into the challenges facing LPL Financial with its latest major acquisition.

Ted Pick and Paul Shoukry both see advantages in their firms' ability to invest in technology, offer banking services and provide access to alternative investments.

Industry trackers see Raymond James' proposal to buy minority stakes in its independent affiliates as a good way to reinvest while also warding off outside competition.

CEO Paul Shoukry also told analysts that the merger and acquisition deals coursing through the industry could open doors for firms eager to bring in advisors and net new assets.

While AI search tools have the potential to provide advisors with additional time to spend with clients, experts say query results should be reviewed with a skeptical eye.