RIAs

A deal with Strategic Wealth Partners, outside Chicago, was Focus's sixth of the year, bringing in $1.4 billion.

Frank Campanale, CEO of Lebenthal Wealth Advisors and a former executive at Smith Barney, spells out the key elements in firm's growth plans and recruiting strategy: brand, equity stakes and passion.

Washington Wealth Management lured away an advisor managing $100 million in assets and who had been at the wirehouse for three decades.

Record crowd focuses on the future of financial advice.

Competitors are 'welcome to call' clients, says new CEO Douglas Wolford, who replaced David Zier after the latter's suicide -- but none have left, he says.

"We have to continue to grow and we'll be looking at acquisitions, mergers, tuck-ins and roll-ups, all of the above," says Mark Allen, president of Nebraska-based Allen Capital Group.

Convergent CEO David Zier's death followed inquiries into his management of an outside fund, according to Chairman Steve Lockshin.

Strong details and carefully executed plans make for a positive transition.

The independent broker-dealer has added former LPL affiliate Nelson & Nelson Wealth Management of Camarillo, Calif.

But the asset allocation and rebalancing service will launch first for retail before rolling out to Schwab advisors.