Independent BDs

The latest deal by a wealth manager for an employee services firm enables the Raymond James Private Client Group to expand its reach.

Waddell & Reed had been working in recent years to transform its “proprietary broker-dealer into a fully competitive independent wealth manager.”

Funding is getting tighter as advisors look towards marketing automation as an engine for growth.

The Boston-based boutique oversees the assets of roughly 140 full- service clients and 800 individual households.

As part of a two-step deal involving Australian investment bank Macquarie Group, LPL will pick up 900 advisors and $63 billion in assets.

In a bid to attract clients left out by AUM fees, IBDs are enabling advisors to take approaches first made popular in the full RIA channel.

Planners and experts dive into wirehouse pay, charging clients at a higher rate, emerging business models and other key issues.

For its next leader, Ohio National turned to a veteran executive with prior experience leading its independent broker-dealer.

James Booth’s seven-year fraud bilked investors out of nearly $5 million.

The No. 1 IBD is responsible for nearly half of the dozen mega-moves in its sector this year.