Independent BDs

The largest increases came from the only firms in the sector reporting jumps of at least 20% or more in 2018.

Listening to a customer service call produced a big surprise. It also showed how firms can take one position to fight complaints in private, but another in public.

The firm hopes to follow advisors' lead on what's best for their business in its outsourced advisory models, says CIO Burt White.

The private equity-backed parent now spans four independent broker-dealers with nearly 2,000 advisors and $65 billion in client assets.

The firm is “looking to aggressively compete” by lowering and simplifying the fees on its advisory platforms, a top executive says.

Mainstays of the sector like Commonwealth, Cambridge and Northwestern Mutual are contributing to it, but smaller firms are also driving change.

The No. 1 IBD aims to triple its potential target market reach, in part by adapting some aspects of employee services to independence.

The ex-CEO of a tax-focused firm acquired by the network in 2012 now leads HD Vest and 1st Global following the $180-million deal.

The BD’s employee channel is attracting more independent reps through offerings like technology and practice acquisition support.

Independent broker-dealers have changed with the times. Our annual ranking has, too.

The new player aims to disrupt the sector despite losing some 300 reps to other firms.

Despite a great year, firms don't see fit to rest on their laurels. Instead, they're preparing and adjusting to falling traditional revenue and rising expenses.

This interactive tool provides the full collection of data from Financial Planning's 34th annual study of the largest firms in the space.

The majority of the top 25 firms boosted their business by double digits in 2018, and five of them reeled in more than 20% growth.

Carson Group has recruited $1.2 billion in client assets this year across 13 different firms.

With transparency about conflicts on the rise even as it varies by firm, critics question whether clients really understand complicated technical documents.

One departing practice managed $100 million in assets.

Several of the new recruits had spent more than a decade with Questar.

The team joins Raymond James’ burgeoning brokerage ranks, which recently hit 7,862 independent and employee advisors.

The firm aims for a bigger foothold in a competitive sector with new offerings around tech, service, advisory programs and practice management.