Economy

Wells Fargo Advisors hopes to have 5,000 out of its 15,000-plus advisors using social media tools next year.

Choosing a broker-dealer and/or a custodian is one of the most important decisions for advisors going independent. Here are five questions for each choice.

Aggressive transition packages, expiring contracts and deals adding up to a 400% payout for some advisors are helping wealth management firms recruit new teams.

See which independent broker-dealers reported over 20% payout growth and what their average payout is.

Bank of America's Keith Glenfield says clients at the firm's Merrill Lynch wealth management unit are using alternatives to take a more deliberate approach to core allocations.

The Bank of America unit for ultrahigh-net-worth clients hired a 20-year industry veteran to oversee a key team of advisors.

Roll-up firm adds six advisors from the insurer and one more from Hutchinson Financial.

To what extent do advisors push for the last piece when going independent?

A FINRA arbitration panel ruled in Merrill's favor and against the former wirehouse advisor, although one arbitrator dissented in awarding the firm about $200,000 in attorney's fees.

The team generated nearly $4 million in annual revenues while at Morgan Stanley and joined Raymond James' employee channel.

Financial Planning unveils its annual list of the industry's biggest independent broker-dealers.

The community bank says that LPL's compliance resources and technology were major factors in its decision.

Webster Private Bank hires regional executive to expand the private banking team in the Boston area.

The regional firm landed an advisor with more than three decades of experience.

Some advisors might land a sizable payout, according to documents seen by On Wall Street.

Advisors choosing independence do well as a pack.

Gregory Fleming, president of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, says advice and advisor training will always have a role in the advice sector, which also must address its diversity problem.

The deal will give Stifel about 180 financial advisors managing $56 billion in total client assets.

The regional brokerage hired two new executives and promoted a third in a bid to provide more planning support to the firm's advisors.

The firm's recruiting win mirrors similar pickups of billion-dollar teams by rivals Merrill Lynch and Raymond James.