Independent BDs

The independent broker-dealer got into hot water over unsuitable fund sales, according to FINRA.

Joining a branch can provide the benefit of a built-in continuity or succession plan, in addition to the many economies of scale afforded by sharing overhead and resources.

A group of former Morgan Stanley directors is hoping their new start-up will let them capitalize on the industry’s aging demographics.

Activities unfolding within 3 separate industry rulemakers -- the SEC, FINRA and the Labor Department -- suggest changes ahead for both brokers and advisors.

LPL Financial broke out of its recruiting slump in the third quarter, adding 154 net new advisors, nearly five times as many as the previous quarter.

Lawmakers are set to begin debate today on a bill that would delay, perhaps indefinitely, a proposal by the Department of Labor to impose a fiduciary standard on advisors to retirement plans.

The board voted Thursday to adopt two attestation standards pertaining to audits of brokers and dealers, along with an auditing standard for broker-dealer audits.

Advisor network Northstar Wealth Partners added two new advisors managing a combined $800 million in client assets with the help of its independent broker-dealer.

The tax-focused independent broker-dealer has added two new executives to its management ranks.

A pair of the country’s largest independent broker-dealers are the first firms to get the new recognition.

VisionPoint Advisory Group is looking to use the giant independent broker-dealer as a base to expand by recruiting more advisors.

The independent broker-dealer network, which would be the nation's fourth-largest IBD if all its component businesses were consolidated, has named a 42-year-old internal candidate.

Sometimes changing broker-dealers doesn't work out the way you expect. Just ask Wayne Maier, a financial advisor in Bay City, Mich.

Larry Roth, former president and chief executive officer of Advisor Group, one of the country’s largest networks of independent broker-dealers, is joining Realty Capital Securities, a major broker-dealer and wholesaler of real estate investment trusts, as chief executive officer.

As summer comes to a close, we're taking a look back at some of the hottest stories this season. Whether you were on vacation or busy working -- maybe you just finally have time to catch up on reading over the long weekend -- we've gathered the summer's top stories all in one place.

LPL is shuttering NestWise, the once-hyped unit that was launched just last year to serve less affluent customers, and has laid off 40 NestWise employees.

To do so, the country’s largest independent broker dealer expects to have a portal up and running, probably under the name AdvisorHarmony, as early as next year that will allow advisors to sift through potential partners on their own.

John Hancock Financial Network has rebranded under the name Signator Investors, as a sign to advisors of its commitment to grow the advisory side of its business.

For traditional Super OSJs to survive and prosper over the long term, they must begin to provide a more dynamic set of services to independent advisors – who increasingly are facing greater practice management, asset management and technology complexities.

Raymond James is ramping up its pitch to attract independent advisors by opening up access to alternative investments.