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.

Going independent

150 calls in 48 hours: What it takes to transition $600M wirehouse advisors

Switching firms can be a herculean task, but independent firm Steward Partners furnishes ex-wirehouse advisors with teams of specialists to ease the process.

By Andrew Welsch
Former Managing Editor

May 10
Succession planning

A tough choice: Name a successor, or sell the firm?

Here are tips for weighing the pros and cons of each option.

By Dan Weil

May 10
Wealth Think 6 ways to grow a practice in times of tumult

Confusing messages coming from Washington have some clients anxious. Here’s what to do when major change is in the air.

May 10

John J. Bowen Jr.

CEG Worldwide
Going independent

LPL grabs Merrill Lynch breakaways in sign of fiduciary ‘disruption’

The $420 million team marks the latest wirehouse exit over a lack of flexibility around the rule.

By Tobias Salinger
Chief Correspondent

May 9
Succession planning

The 10-year goodbye for 2 advisers

They started early and hired successor candidates based on their values, not just their skills.

By Miriam Rozen
staff reporter

May 9
RIAs

RIA M&A activity hits all-time high but average AUM of sellers plunges

Sales of smaller firms dominated transactions and banks re-emerged as buyers during the first quarter.

By Charles Paikert
Senior Editor

May 9
Recruiting

Advisers on the move: Merrill Lynch brokers with over $1.8B jump ship

Raymond James, RBC and Ameriprise were among the industry players to lure away talent from Merrill Lynch.

By Andrew Welsch
Former Managing Editor

May 8

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.