Practice and Client Management News

Financial Planning's Practice and Client Management coverage includes essential advisor-level strategy and operational insight for firms and solo practitioners. Read how elite advisors build retention-driven practices, manage high net worth relationships and operationalize growth frameworks that go beyond rudimentary 101 topics. Learn the latest financial planning news from expert reporting and analysis that matters to industry leaders.

High net worth

$1B team quits Merrill Lynch to go indie with Focus Financial

Wirehouses have been losing talent as advisors seek more freedom in how they structure their practices.

By Amanda Schiavo
Associate Editor

March 26
Estate planning

$61,000 for a parrot? Estate planning for pets

Pet owners are seeking guidance on funding alternatives, drafting detailed pet-care instructions and leaving significant sums of money that can run into the millions of dollars.

By Margarida Correia
Former associate editor

March 26
Divestiture

How advisors are helping clients dump gun stocks

Some investors are demanding action on gun manufacturer and retailer stocks. Can financial advisors deliver?

By James Thorne
Contributor

March 23
M&A

First Allied firm acquires $105M LPL practice as succession fuels record M&A

Cetera has provided financing and other services in more than 250 acquisitions across the IBD network since 2015.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

March 23
Independent BDs

Raymond James, top RIA exec part ways as competition heats up

IBDs are waging a tough recruiting fight for hybrid RIAs, and Bill Van Law played a pivotal role.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

March 22
Recruiting

Wells Fargo nabs $511M advisors, offsetting recent departures

The new hires from Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan are welcome news for the embattled bank’s wealth management division.

By Sean Allocca
Former Associate Editor

March 22
High net worth

Goldman loan program to help LPL advisors tap HNW clients

The securities-backed lending platform provides liquidity to borrowers and transparency to advisors, the investment banking giant says.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

March 22

Resources

The latest Financial Planning research and discussion:

Web Seminar A holistic approach to delivering advisor alpha

Markets will move. Strategies will evolve. But the real differentiator? How you show up for your clients.

Partner Insights from eMoney Advisor
Advisor strategies
On-Demand Web Seminar Quarterly Outlook Briefing
Web Seminar The art of asking questions

Asking the right questions is at the heart of every meaningful financial conversation—but how do you know what to ask and when?

Partner Insights from eMoney Advisor

Practice & Client Management: Key Questions & Analysis

How should financial advisors rethink client management as they grow their practices?

As advisory firms grow, client management often shifts from ad-hoc relationship handling to processes focused on segmentation, service models and long-term retention. Coverage in this area reflects how advisors are operationalizing client experience as a core business discipline.

What operational challenges are most important in advisor-client relationships?

Advisors face increasing pressure from capacity constraints, rising client expectations and the need to balance personalization with scale. Practice and client management reporting highlights where firms are finding success to maintain service quality while expanding.

How are advisors adapting communication strategies to changing client expectations?

Client communication strategies are evolving as advisors respond to demographic shifts, digital expectations and heightened demand for transparency. Read how firms are adjusting cadence, channels and messaging.

How does client management impact long-term practice value?

Effective client management is often viewed as a driver of enterprise value. Client management is a key area of focus for retention, referrals and succession outcomes. Learn how client experience strategy directly to firm durability and valuation.