Independent BDs

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.

Fortress is the fifth firm to join Omaha-based Arbor Point, which provides an open architecture platform aimed at dually registered advisors, since it launched early last year.

RIAs are gaining market share of assets, although wirehouses will still control nearly $6 trillion by 2016, the research firm predicts.

Longtime LPL executive Bill Morrissey has been tapped to take over the company's independent advisor services unit following the sudden departure of Derek Bruton.

If the integration process takes longer or is more costly than expected, RCS says it may 'fail to realize' some or all of the anticipated benefits of the pending acquisitions.

Washington Wealth Management has recruited two advisors from UBS and Wells Fargo, where they collectively managed approximately $150 million in assets.

After announcing growth plans earlier in the year, Advisor Group has taken the next step: hiring a new executive vice president of recruiting and acquisition strategy.

Transamerica Financial Advisors, one of the nation's largest independent broker-dealers, is reimbursing more than 2,300 accounts in a settlement with the SEC after being charged by the regulator with improperly calculating advisory fees and overcharging clients.

Raymond James lands a $2.5 million team while Dynasty nabs two teams from Merrill Lynch. Here's a roundup of some of the most recent moves among independent financial advisors.

In the March issue, columnist Bob Veres cited seven "dirty words" that were hurting RIAs.

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network has picked up advisors with more than $424 million in assets under management.

Revenue rises 15% but product sales jump even higher, as a shift in compensation model holds back short-term revenue, the company says.

For investment advisors with a small pool of clients, the threat of a cyber attack that could compromise investors' personal identifying information is especially acute, says one IT expert.

The program pairs newer women advisors with more experienced ones

Securities America and Triad, both divisions of Ladenburg Thalmann, slapped for "failing to supervise the use of consolidated reporting systems resulting in statements with inaccurate valuations being sent to customers."

Compliance experts are recommending that firms take a flexible, risk-based approach as they respond to the SEC's red flag rules, a new set of regulations for protecting clients against identity theft.