Independent BDs

As growth has surged at the nation's biggest independent broker-dealers, a new player has rocked the rankings and raised questions for the industry.

With new regulations on the horizon, a top FINRA official highlights the agency's efforts to establish a more flexible oversight regime that will be less of a drain on a practice's resources.

Allison Couch's newly created role focuses on sales and distribution strategies across one of the industry's largest broker-dealer networks.

Every firm needs to determine the unique compensation plan that will work best for executives, staff and clients. These guidelines should help you get started.

Most of the new arrivals are employees of larger financial service companies, said president Scott Curtis, and about 25% are already independents.

FINRA CEO Richard Ketchum praised one SEC commissioner for floating a new proposal to beef up examinations of the RIA industry independently of Congress.

The 'very, very conservative' company is looking for niche deals, not major acquisitions, said CEO Paul Reilly.

The contentious issue of harmonizing fiduciary responsibilities remains high on the agency's to-do list, though a timeframe for when a proposal might materialize is far from certain.

When financial planners launch a firm, success hinges on knowing how to run a business.

In cases heard by an SEC administrative law judge or a FINRA hearing panel, a study finds, 46.7% of broker-dealers, advisors and registered reps succeeded in getting charges dismissed or lowering the sanctions imposed.

Kevin Keefe replaces Adam Antoniades as RCS boss shuffles executives for the first time since buying five IBDs.

Ex-commanders take new jobs as load-pushing 'advisors.' No wonder service members get victimized.

Donald Runkle, who spent nearly 11 years as Raymond James Financial Services' chief compliance officer, resigned; the firm provided no explanation for the departure.

As his biggest IBD acquisition closes, Nicholas Schorsch predicts more big-ticket M&A deals during a Milken Institute session; another panelist warns of inflated price tags and bad behavior.

Deal adds over 6,600 financial advisors, giving RCS the country's second-largest independent network by advisors.

Ameriprise Financial posted the biggest gain in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index after reporting profit that beat analysts' estimates and announcing increased share buybacks.

Revenue growth combined with high expenses and a challenging recruiting environment; CFO calls advisor pipeline 'solid' despite defection of 40 bank advisors.

Revenue climbs and assets grow, but net income slips at the country's biggest independent broker-dealer.

Raymond James Financial reported that net income was up 33%, boosted by record private client group revenue.

Independent planners can not win a battle against Wall Street unless they find a way to defeat well-funded lobbyists in the industry.