IBD Elite

This interactive tool provides the full collection of data from Financial Planning's 35th annual study of the largest firms in the space.

Median revenue surged by 18% in the sector, but forward-looking companies have already adjusted to a fast-changing industry.

The stark figures show that only about one-sixth or fewer of the sector’s financial advisors are women.

The combined AUM of the top 10 companies has soared by 60% to more than $770 billion over the past five years.

The largest increases came from the only firms in the sector reporting jumps of at least 20% or more in 2018.

Mainstays of the sector like Commonwealth, Cambridge and Northwestern Mutual are contributing to it, but smaller firms are also driving change.

Independent broker-dealers have changed with the times. Our annual ranking has, too.

Despite a great year, firms don't see fit to rest on their laurels. Instead, they're preparing and adjusting to falling traditional revenue and rising expenses.

This interactive tool provides the full collection of data from Financial Planning's 34th annual study of the largest firms in the space.

The majority of the top 25 firms boosted their business by double digits in 2018, and five of them reeled in more than 20% growth.