Independent BDs

Executives say valuing friendliness alongside other factors is helping to drive a record $66 million in incoming production this year.

The fully-independent channel remain a competitive threat to IBDs attempting to retain top advisors while dealing with lost revenue.

President Shawn Mihal unveiled a series of changes to the firm’s compensation grid, field structure and advisory programs.

The advisors retained from shuttering Broker Dealer Financial Services will add more than 80 advisors now able to tap into the buying firm’s offerings.

A civil filing by an IBD seeks damages for firms and reps “who devoted significant time and resources to building a book of business,” an attorney says.

Commonwealth Financial Network is helping advisors convert to full RIA status and, in the opinion of advisors and executives, shedding its traditional label.

Competitive pressures from the industry’s smaller players are changing the wirehouse playbook.

The largest IBD unveiled a partnership with the U.S. Army Reserve designed to tap ex-servicemembers and reservists through apprenticeships.

The regulator is living up to its promise to overhaul exams and engage more — and one potential rule in the works would be “monumental," according to the IBD.

The 4,300-advisor network is investing in insurance distribution after benefiting from rising interest rates and record client assets.

Despite the IBD converting much of its technology, HD Vest's COO says the process has been less painful because its planners are supportive of the changes.

CEO Jamie Price and other executives met with some 1,000 prospective advisors after inking one of the largest M&A deals in the IBD space this year.

Investigators say the barred rep diverted more than $1.8 million of her clients’ money for personal use, including on vacations and houses.

People are innately drawn to be a part of something special.

A multi-year reorganization of the firm has lowered head count by more than a quarter but boosted productivity by nearly a half.

The broker-dealer nabbed three planners from Wells Fargo, one from Morgan Stanley.

The 7,700-advisor IBD network hasn’t been as active in recruiting as its rival lately — but it’s holding on to a portion of the major enterprise.

The group opted to join the corporate RIA at the Ladenburg IBD with an eye toward greater independence with some outsourced tasks.

The executive must attend to a close family member who has recently learned of significant health challenges, a spokeswoman says.

The independent broker-dealers born during this fraught year have thrived. Now, however, their role in creating today’s independent advisor threatens their ability to survive another half-century.