Independent BDs

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.

Advisors will be expected to keep records about the content they post on social sites just as they do with other materials on traditional channels, according to a senior commission attorney.

The once fast-growing firm leaves LPL after a year and a half, hoping NFP's deep pockets will help it attract other advisors.

Advisors and clients are gravitating toward the RIA model -- a trend that experts expect to continue.

RCS Capital is following through on its promise to launch a research division with the hiring of two non-traded investments analysts.

The commission is committed to moving forward on a uniform fiduciary standard for advisors and broker-dealers and also expects to finalize money market reforms by the end of the year.

LPL Financial says the pace of new advisors affiliating with the firm has slowed from the levels of late 2013 "in part due to disruptive weather."

The advisor groups advocating for SEC vs. FINRA oversight of the RIA sector are turning their lobbying efforts away from the House.

The focus on dual registrants grows out of concern that the different compensation structures of the two business lines can create conflicts of interest and potentially harm investors, according to an SEC director.

AdvisorGroup announced Monday that Rick Fergesen has been named as president and CEO of one of its four independent broker-dealers.

Independent broker-dealer network Advisor Group has a new CEO with big goals. First on the list: Find acquisitions.