RIAs

While regulatory costs pulled-down full-year profits, the giant IBD seemed to turn a page at year end with a 9.8% spike in fourth-quarter earnings.

The robo advisor plans to add 90 to 120 new employees and add resources to Betterment Institutional, which already works with 90 advisory firms.

At Halbert Hargrove, Russ Hill has brought the firm through one transition after another. Now he's creating his own exit strategy.

Ellsworth Private Wealth Management hooks up with Stratos Wealth Partners, citing the use of LPL's RIA and broker-dealer platform.

The SEC barred an RIA from the industry after the firm was charged with misleading investors -- including falsely claiming that its fund was "SEC approved."

"[W]e made a carefully thought-through decision to remain a private company and to retain our independence," said Eric Clarke, CEO of Orion Advisor Services, one of NorthStar's subsidiaries.

John Carroll affiliates with hybrid RIA Independent Financial Partners and partners with retirement division Pensionmark.

Conrad Siegel Investment Advisors's parent company serves defined benefit and 401(K) plans. Executives at those client firms became the clients for the advisory spinoff.

The industry regulator says increasing oversight of RIAs is a "top priority" as it appeals to Congress for a funding increase to hire more examiners.

Matt Lynch, a former B-D CEO, says his new boutique consulting startup will work alongside client firms through their most risky transitions.