Also this week, Focus Financial ups the responsibilities for some top executives and Advisor Asset Management appoints a new CEO.

Could an economic downturn slow the industry's record-setting pace of acquisition deals? Sure, experts say, but not by much.

Certified financial planners will pay an additional $120 a year for the CFP designation, starting in October. The CFP board said the fee hike will help fund expanded advertising efforts.

UBS' Americas unit benefited from a swift uptick in client transactions in April, but that activity has since subsided, CEO Sergio Ermotti told analysts.

Experts say it's not just about cold, hard numbers. Knowing client expectations can also make or break any potential deal.

CEO Ron Kruszewski received praise for leading the firm's wealth management unit to a record for revenue, despite costly legal setbacks.

Edward Jones meanwhile reshuffles its leadership ranks amid its push to become a full-service financial planning firm, and Rockefeller picks up big teams from Merrill.

As LPL fights to keep teams in the fold, competitors are making strong plays and pointing to the large brokerage's perceived blemishes. The founders of KRM Investment Counsel said they also found what they wanted at Arkadios, an employee-owned firm.

Jim Cracchiolo told analysts that the firm's retention "is quite good," even though his company, like many of its rivals, stopped providing statistics to verify such claims.

CEO Paul Shoukry also told analysts that the merger and acquisition deals coursing through the industry could open doors for firms eager to bring in advisors and net new assets.