Independent BDs

Consolidation has been ongoing for more than a decade in wealth management, but it accelerated to unprecedented levels this year.

One of the most consequential M&A deals in years leads this roundup of the many ways big independent firms grew in 2025 and how they plan to continue growing in 2026.

When an analyst asked about Fifth Third's $11 billion deal to buy rival Comerica, CEO Jim Cracchiolo mentioned the seller's Ameriprise "contract and agreements."

A Cerulli report puts numbers to the channel's transformation. We have resources for advisors who want to better understand the space.

We named the largest firms and honored those making an impact in wealth management and technology, among other recognitions in the last year.

From top brokers and broker pay to succession planning, advising for Medicare, ChatGPT and our coverage of the independent space, these are the biggest stories FP published in the last year.

Peruse the lists that put wealth management in perspective, from our top 40 young brokers to the largest IBDs and RIAs in the country.

The giant independent broker-dealer said Wednesday that it had created a new channel to target wirehouse advisors with high net worth practices.

Coming off another record quarter, the independent broker-dealer giant sought to reassure analysts questioning its stagnant advisor headcount.

LPL's employee channel has proved popular since its 2019 launch, and recently announced its first $1B team. Here's how that move happened and where Linsco goes from here.

The bank team was seeking a place to support its growth in providing boutique 'concierge' services, while maintaining autonomy.

The president of Kestra Financial spoke with FP about the power of using relationships to help recruit big talent, and how the firm differentiates on the talent market.

The third time was the charm for LPL, which failed twice to win the big team it finally recruited this month. Here's what worked this time around.

One industry recruiter called the Aegis group at Lincoln 'the last people we expected to move.'

New portfolios from BlackRock, Fidelity, T. Rowe Price and Clark Capital underscore the Chicago-based firm's ambitions with independent advisors.

The sale of $15 billion Grove Point Financial comes as smaller broker-dealers confront market headwinds.

The large brokerage reported record results for its wealth management business as it waits to bring several more financial advisors on board.

Reports and recruiters say that smaller firms, more flexibility and greater diversity are increasingly popular with industry job seekers

Leave the pitch deck at the office and treat the prospect like they're already a client, counsels the director of a global sales training company.

An advisor with strong client relationships can make a move whether markets are up, down or sideways.