Economy

Creating the right playbook and calling the plays are key to your client's success.

The majority of small businesses fail. In recent years, more fail than launch every year. But some entrepreneurs soar to new heights, and helping guide them can be a lucrative niche for advisors.

The wirehouse executive speaks about the firm's approach to automation and why a larger advisor force is necessary to meet increasingly complex client needs.

Brian Hull, head of the firm's Client Advisory Group, tells On Wall Street that he's trying to make it easier for advisors to do business at the wirehouse.

The automated investment trend is not a fad, says U.S. Trust President Keith Banks. But being firm in values and delivering value is still paramount, he says.

The recruits generated $1.7 million in annual production while at the wirehouse.

On Wall Street's annual Top 40 Under 40 rankings recognize the hard work of an elite group of young professionals employed by the wirehouses and largest regional broker-dealers. The editors of On Wall Street are now accepting nominations for the overall Top 40 Under 40 ranking, and Top 40 Under 40 Advisors at Regional Broker-Dealers. The results will be published in January.

There's no place for complacency these days, and the biggest wealth management players anticipate changes by regularly adjusting their strategies.

A careful merger of exuberance and realism fuels success for clients.

As business models converge in the industry, firms risk diluting advice with sales pitches and product promotion, says John Taft, head of RBC Wealth Management-U.S.

"We have competitive advantages that none of these firms can duplicate," says Greg Fleming, president of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

The languishing performance of LPL shares has drawn the attention of activist investor Richard McGuire, whose hedge fund, Marcato Capital, has taken a 6.3% stake in the IBD.

The advisor duo generated $2 million in annual production while at Wells Fargo.

Advisors may want to help clients research charitable giving, which overall could top $8 trillion as more baby boomers retire, according to a new study from Merrill Lynch and Age Wave. Advisors can help clients with their research.

Ron Kruszewski talks with On Wall Street about Stifel’s recent acquisitions and why there has been some advisor attrition at Barclays' U.S. brokerage unit ahead of its acquisition by Stifel.

J.P. Morgan recruited a veteran advisor from Credit Suisse, which recently struck an exclusive recruiting deal allowing Wells Fargo to pick up the Swiss firm's U.S. advisors.

Mary Mack says that Wells Fargo Advisors is still thinking through which route to take toward implementing an automated advice offering.

Edward Jones and four other firms were sanctioned by FINRA for overcharging some clients on mutual fund sales.

Tash Elwyn, the president of Raymond James & Associates, says the path to success lies in recognizing that "every advisor is unique, every client is unique and the delivery of advice should be unique."

The wirehouse said it recruited four advisors from rivals Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo.