TD Ameritrade

he potential acquisition would unite two firms that custody assets for more 7,000 independent advisory firms.

The deal would consolidate an industry under pressure from a price war.

The LPL Financial advisor is using his new influence to help firms create policies to prevent sexual harassment.

The discount brokerage sees the move as a way to attract younger, less affluent investors.

Strategies may include building out RIA channels and cash sweep programs in efforts to make up for revenue declines.

“We all agree a conflict could arise in the future,” Schweiss says. “There are ways of potentially dealing with that.”

By slashing fees, custodians are also eliminating special ETF platforms they had spent the past five years building out.

The advisor advocate’s’ term, to begin in 2021, also will focus on increasing FPA membership.

As custodial pricing continues to fall, it’s still unclear where firms will make up the the money — but analysts and advisors agree other custodians will follow suit.

Other custodians are skeptical that financial planners want the tool in the first place.

Hiring choices are having a ripple effect on compensation.

Barriers to adoption for RIAs include security concerns and fear of increased client anxiety.

John VanEngelenhoven, who had worked at Schwab for 14 years, custodies with rival TD Ameritrade at the new firm.

The executive's sudden announcement raises questions about whether the company’s retail brokerage platform will compete with advisors.

The exit wasn’t due to any “one thing,” Tim Hockey said.

Analysts and advisors expressed surprise at the announcement.

A new offering from the firm aims to allow retail clients the ability to check their portfolios or receive a quote on a security via voice command.

An improving economy is boosting an exodus from wirehouses to RIAs.

The SEC clarifies what's permissible under the new regulations, the latest sign of the confusion it created in the advisory industry.

“I think we forget what it was like when we were the associates,” says one firm’s co-owner.