Broker dealers

LPL's board proposed a huge boost to CEO Rich Steinmeier's compensation package following a year defined by the firm's acquisition of Commonwealth Financial Network.

Investor advocates think the money should instead go to clients who haven't been paid outstanding arbitration awards.

The Biden Administration rule for a fiduciary standard on one-time retirement-related advice died in two separate court decisions.

Punitive damages, disclosures over employment terminations, the statute of limitations for bringing claims — FINRA is asking about it all in a series of more than 60 questions about revamps to its arbitration procedures.

Analysts warn AI agents could automatically move clients' uninvested cash into money markets and other high-yielding investments, depriving brokerages of one of their most lucrative revenue sources.

A Department of Labor rule adopted under the Biden administration had many brokers worried about their ability to work as independent contractors. A new proposal would roll it back.

A federal judge rejected Stifel's bid to dismiss a FINRA penalty. The firm has paid millions to former clients, with 20 more cases still in the works.

Financial Planning announces its 2026 class of the top 40 most productive employee brokers under age 40 at regional U.S. firms.

Financial Planning announces its 2026 class of the top 40 most productive employee wealth management brokers under the age of 40.

The 260 advisors in Huntington's wealth unit will now turn to Ameriprise for brokerage, advisory and insurance services previously provided internally.

Two teams and one advisor managing a combined $1.3 billion choose to set up shop at Wells Fargo's channel for independent advisors.

An wealth management duo from Ohio chooses LPL's unit for direct employee advisors to found Moto Wealth Partners.

Plus, Cetera adds a $1.9B tax-focused firm, Choreo acquires two RIAs, and Modern Wealth expands in New York.

Brokers were worried a new rule intended to lighten their responsibility to monitor advisors' side hustles would ironically mean greater supervision duties with RIAs.

Plus, Wells Fargo and Raymond James pull more teams from Commonwealth/LPL, and Elevation Point takes a stake in a UBS breakaway.

Wells Fargo lands big teams from Merrill and Citi, while Cerity Partners and Mercer Advisors continue their aggressive M&A streaks.

A new proposal would allow firms to tack three additional months onto the amount of time they can place holds on the accounts of clients 65 and older in cases of suspected financial exploitation.

Keith Todd Ashley, an advisor indicted for the murder of a client, has turned to the Fifth Circuit of Appeals to fight his 60-year prison sentence in a related fraud case.

Under a new proposal, clients would have to opt in to receiving account statements and other documents in paper form.

These are the stories and issues that readers gravitated to in the last year.