Independent advisors

Golden State Wealth Management is just the latest large advisory team to exit UBS following changes the wirehouse made to its compensation policies.

Also this week, Raymond James picks another team from Commonwealth amid its purchase by LPL, and Cetera recruits from B. Riley Wealth Advisors.

A group of former Ameriprise brokers argue they had no say in a court agreement requiring them to hand over their cell phones and other devices to a third-party forensic examiner.

Advisor pay policies are often notoriously complicated affairs. LPL is seeking to simplify it all with a new AI offering that promises to bring "clarity and intelligence to every payout."

A proposed "model rule" would give state regulators laws they could adopt to bring their marketing regulations for investment advisors in line with the SEC's.

Valuation experts caution that advisors selling their businesses put too much weight on EBITDA multiples and overlook many factors that can reduce the value of a deal.

CEO Rich Steinmeier reiterated LPL's goal to retain 90% of Commonwealth's assets and headcount while listing reasons why advisors might think twice about leaving to start their own RIAs.

Patrick Funke & Associates' decision to join Commonwealth Financial Network suggests that despite its pending purchase by LPL, Commonwealth still appeals to advisors seeking a smaller setting.

Industry experts say there's theoretically no reason why firms can't keep getting bigger through recruiting deals. But a lack of good M&A prospects could make growth harder for LPL and other independent broker-dealers.

UBS continues to lose larger advisory teams after making changes to compensation policies last year. Meanwhile, Ashton Thomas and LPL both score advisory teams.

With more than $8 billion in assets under advisement, Simon Quick can comfortably serve high net worth clients. And it's managed to get there without private equity.

The industry rivals could still turn to FINRA arbitration to pursue their dispute over allegedly unwarranted data breach notices Ameriprise sent LPL customers.

Industry trackers see Raymond James' proposal to buy minority stakes in its independent affiliates as a good way to reinvest while also warding off outside competition.

The CEO of Summit Wealth said that even before LPL announced its acquisition deal, he and his colleagues were already finding Commonwealth too big for their liking.

CEO Ron Kruszewski received praise for leading the firm's wealth management unit to a record for revenue, despite costly legal setbacks.

As LPL fights to keep teams in the fold, competitors are making strong plays and pointing to the large brokerage's perceived blemishes. The founders of KRM Investment Counsel said they also found what they wanted at Arkadios, an employee-owned firm.

CEO Paul Shoukry also told analysts that the merger and acquisition deals coursing through the industry could open doors for firms eager to bring in advisors and net new assets.

Aneri Jambusaria, among other LPL executives, plans to offer a bevy of support services to advisors of the soon-to-be purchased Commonwealth Financial Network while maintaining its small-firm feel.

States can now adopt a model rule that will prevent brokers from holding themselves out to the public as "advisors" or "advisers."

The deal, expected to close in the second half of the year, will bring in $16 billion in client assets and 110 advisors.