TD Ameritrade

New ownership of the popular platform could open the door for new tech leadership, but don’t count Schwab out yet.

The acquisition established a $6 trillion-giant operating as a mutual fund company, RIA custodian, bank, retail brokerage and national wealth management firm.

Among those leaving is Tom Nally, president of TD Ameritrade’s RIA division. He’d been with the company for 26 years.

The custodian had been a key player in the growth of the independent channel.

Charles Schwab is in early stages of its plans for the future of TD Ameritrade’s advisor division.

The newly combined firm is expected to transform the independent marketplace in terms of technology, talent and RIA choice.

The combined company would become a $2 trillion RIA custodian.

It’s a big decision, and getting it right the first time around can avoid a lot of headaches, experts say.

Ameriprise, for example, has hosted more six times as many advisors virtually than it did in person last year.

Three out of the top four RIA custodians compete directly with their RIA clients through their networks of branch offices and call centers.