Special Program Root Tag

Many retirement savers will have no trouble choosing between an IRA or a trust. But experts say there are some important factors that add complication to the decision.

Raising firm fees — whether under a flat-fee or AUM model — is essential to maintaining a profitable RIA. Wealth advisors shared how they were able to increase prices and revenue with little client turnover.

As digital assets gain broader adoption, advisors are reassessing whether cryptocurrencies should still be classified as alternative investments or viewed as an emerging portfolio sleeve alongside traditional markets. This session explores how advisors can model crypto's risk-return profile, evaluate volatility, correlation, liquidity, custody, and regulatory considerations, and determine appropriate allocation frameworks within diversified portfolios. This session will examine whether widespread usage diminishes crypto's "alt" status or whether its structural risks and market behavior warrant continued caution, while also discussing portfolio construction best practices, client education strategies, and what the future of digital asset markets may look like as institutional adoption, regulation, and product innovation continue to evolve.

As private equity, private credit, venture capital, and other alternative strategies become more accessible, advisors must determine whether—and how—to incorporate private markets into client portfolios. This session examines the suitability, fiduciary, and operational considerations of advising on private investments, including accreditation standards, liquidity planning, valuation differences, fee structures, and transparency compared to traditional public markets. Panelists will discuss how to educate clients on risk factors such as illiquidity, capital calls, and limited mark-to-market pricing, while outlining best practices for position sizing, diversification, stress testing, and ongoing oversight to responsibly integrate private markets into a diversified portfolio strategy.

This session explores how financial advisors can confidently introduce alternative assets—such as private equity, real estate, digital assets, collectibles, and specialized funds—to a broader range of clients. Panelists will discuss practical education strategies, clear communication frameworks, and compliance-friendly methods for explaining both upside potential and inherent risks. Advisors will learn how to set proper expectations, segment which clients may benefit most, and build trust by offering transparent, accessible guidance on this growing asset class.

Starting your own RIA can be emotionally taxing and require extensive work — and it comes with some surprises. Here's what founders said caught them off guard when launching their own firms.

A value resurgence will overtake growth-stock dominance — the catalysts are already in motion, says Bernard Horn of Polaris Capital Management.

The big moves hit the Swiss firm as it continues to lose advisors on a net basis — though now it's reportedly sweetening its recruiting offers.

The North Carolina-based regional has recruited Michael Lyons to serve as CEO, starting Sept. 1. Lyons will replace Bill Rogers, who plans to retire in April 2027.

Kitces Marketing Summit 2026 organizers Michael Kitces and Taylor Schulte lined up a half dozen speakers who shared accessible organic growth strategies.

The latest Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook (FACO) finds advisor sentiment turned slightly pessimistic again this month as financial planners looked for ways to insulate clients' portfolios from global economic shocks.

Members of the Transparent Advisor Movement are meeting around the country in "Flat Fridays" events. And the collaboration is revealing all of the nuance around fees.

Michael Beloff has helped families with special needs while also understanding how to best take care of his own son with autism. He's grown free outreach into a thriving niche.

An industry recruiter says two big questions remain: Can Raymond James keep up its recruiting momentum after most Commonwealth advisors are settled? And how will LPL Financial respond?

Talking about the importance of one type of tax planning or another is far different from implementing all of those strategies across the industry.

Gryphon Wealth will keep Wells Fargo Clearing Services as its custodian in a deal that brings in tech support from TradePMR, a firm acquired by Robinhood in 2024.

Even if they must refer wealth families to a tax professional for a generation-skipping or dynasty trust, financial advisors can play a valuable role.

Justin Brownlee started an RIA targeting energy, oil and gas employees. His hyperspecific marketing tactics have helped grow the firm into a thriving niche.

Firms with big recruiting loan balances are often the ones with the most success hiring advisors from industry rivals. But the numbers also suggest they're offering increasingly generous deals.

Financial planners who joined the Transparent Advisor Movement's first "Flat Fridays" meetup touched on the difficulty of explaining the industry to consumers.