Succession planning

Veteran bank advisors are being lured away by big brokerages and finding new talent to take their place is challenging.

Only 9% of younger advisors on ownership track have equity stakes in their firms, reveals the Fidelity Benchmarking Study.

The total number of advisors across the industry rose 1.1% in 2014, according to a report from Cerulli Associates. But the research firm warns they may fall again in years to come.

CFP Board and TD Ameritrade make the case for a new center to attract and develop a 21st century workforce.

Advisors can assist their aging clients having a hard time keeping a family-run business in the family.

“It’s the most important thing you can do for your business, the single greatest value driver,” said Rick Schwartz, managing director for business consulting at Schwab Advisory Services.

“Owners of advisory firms don’t realize there’s a new school approach to succession planning,” – David Grau Jr., president and CEO of Succession Resource Group.

"If I said I had worked for AT&T for 33 years, anybody would ask me, 'Well, when are you going to retire?' But our industry is unique. It's not like a utility company, where after 30 or 35 years, you're done," says Larry Palmer, an advisor at Morgan Stanley.

A new book by advisors for advisors sheds light on transition issues facing firm principals and their successors.

How one firm helps advisors map out a plan 10 years before retirement.

Advisor Hugh Johnson has a simple focus: provide near-market performance with less volatility and risk.

“Why should a really good smaller firm that’s growing have a lower multiple than a big firm that’s crappy?” asks Peter Raimondi, president of Boston Private Wealth.

The primary buyers of advisory firms are RIAs, banks and roll-up companies.

While gifting can have important benefits, not every client will be in favor of it, no matter how many good reasons exist.

Maximizing savings in tax-deferred accounts may lead to an abrupt increase later in both income and income taxes. Here are a couple of ways to help clients steer clear.

As new state regulations loom, experts caution that examiners already expect advisors to have a business continuity and succession plan in place.

Focus Financial expand into Southeast with family-owned firm that has $600 million in AUM but no succession solution.

The pace of RIA dealmaking has leveled off over the last few years, with no increase in the number of deals over the previous year and aggregate AUM acquired ticking up only slightly to $47.4B from $43.7B, according to new data from Schwab Advisor Services.

A reality TV episode on a bakery's succession plan hits uncomfortably close to home for a wealth management pro.