RIAs

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.

Aiming at a new professional certification, the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard published a draft of best practices for fiduciaries, seeking to help investors distinguish between "product sellers and advice givers."

Some RIAs who claim to be for sale "have no intention of selling," said United Capital's Matt Brinker. "They like the dance."

A pair of sessions at the FSI OneVoice conference focused on recruiting and retention challenges facing IBDs, many of which center on hybrid or dually registered RIAs who are edging toward greater independence.