RIAs

Merrill had sought a temporary restraining order to prevent members of a large Atlanta-based team who left last week from soliciting former clients for their new firm.

For a newly launched RIA, its website is one area in which less can be more — but only if the firm's online HQ puts the right visitors on the path to conversion.

Tips and tricks on building a successful niche. This week, Eric Franklin of Prospero Wealth on financial planning for tech executives and how he reverse engineered a customized clientele.

In a lengthy court reply, advisors who left Merrill this week to form an RIA with Dynasty Financial Partners accuse Merrill of "bad faith" for putting them on administrative leave and failing to reinvest in their business.

Also this week, Raymond James draws from Commonwealth again amid that firm's absorption by LPL Financial, and Osaic adds advisors with nearly $800 million in AUM.

Independent financial advisors get a lot of flexibility, but a study by Deloitte and Wells Fargo FiNet delves into the complexity of expanding successfully.

Merrill is also adjusting the incentives it gives advisors for steering clients into banking products.

Firms are increasingly looking to provide high net worth clients with services stretching beyond basic wealth management. The offerings include everything from help with cybersecurity to taking out complicated loans.

Many express frustration with either real or perceived doubts about clients' concerns, but experts say they're missing an opportunity to address them up front.