Financial institutions

Despite hiring pullbacks at the larger firms, there's been no shortage of multibillion dollar moves.

The firm's headcount has steadily declined since the bogus account scandal came to light last year.

"With 15,000 financial advisors, it's hard to change financial planning software. It's hard to change the day-to-day stuff," adviser Jim Denholm III says.

Naureen Hassan says tools in development will make advisers "faster and smarter" in serving clients.

The deciding factor might be ruthlessness.

The four advisers had spent their entire careers at Merrill before making the switch.

Concerns about management dragged down job satisfaction ratings in J.D. Power’s annual survey.

His move is also something of a reunion, as Steward Partners CEO Jim Gold once served as his manager at Smith Barney.

The advisers once oversaw approximately $750 million in client assets, according to Barron's.

Here's how to create a corporate culture that advisers and clients want to be associated with.