Like any ranking, the list from SmartAsset comes with some caveats. But these firms are catering to a lot of high net worth and ultrahigh net worth clients.

From LPL Financial's legal challenges to a continuing education scam that involved more than 60 brokers, these are the stories our readers flocked to in 2024.

Richard "Dick" Parsons, the former Citigroup chairman who died Thursday, is credited with helping the New York megabank survive the financial crisis. Earlier in his career, he led Dime Savings Bank out of the savings-and-loan crisis.

Michael Bernier oversaw roughly $165 million in client assets at Canter Strategic Wealth Management, a firm with $300 million under management. Then he left to join LPL.

Cetera also names the next president of its wealth management division and Corient scoops up a $7.9 billion RIA in Maine.

Jefferies was among a group of firms cited by the SEC in its recent sweeping investigations into illegal "off channel" communications.

The asset sales carry complexity requiring careful thought and expert advice, but they could prove beneficial to some wirehouse breakaways or RIA succession plans.

While at Schwab, Roberto Ortega worked with clients whose accounts held more than $1.5 billion. A lawsuit seeks to bar him from soliciting their business for his new employer.

The case stems from Raymond James' recruitment of the $2.8 billion Wise Advisor Group from Baird, which also landed a penalty for a broker protocol violation.

The rival firms will pay for a forensic consultant to preserve evidence of transferred confidential data while they await FINRA arbitration.

The deadline is fast approaching for brokerages to register home offices for employees performing supervisory functions.

Homrich Berg also acquires a $6.4 billion RIA and Hightower takes a stake in an $800 million advisory practice.

Scott Burnett and Peter Kelson, formerly of Zions Direct, plan to work mainly with public entities, corporations, foundations and endowments.

Mike Durbin on Cetera's M&A plans, why consolidation will barrel forward in the wealth management industry and the advantages of having a hybrid firm.

Sallie Krawcheck helped found Ellevest following prominent roles at Sanford Bernstein, Citigroup and Bank of America.

The 10 largest transitions include deals by LPL and Osaic, hybrid RIAs that received private equity infusions and even a new public offering by a SPAC investor.

The wireshoue plans to have a s setting up an Ultra-High New Worth Plus unit for clients more than $50 million in assets.

Joanna Rotenberg, recently of Fidelity Investments, will lead Vanguard's newly created advice and wealth management division starting in 2025.

President-elect Donald Trump will loom large over financial services next year. But new CEOs at Vanguard and LPL Financial, new heads of professional organizations and other key players will also drive change.

The wirehouse is accused of not doing enough to prevent employees of its Smith Barney unit from making unauthorized transfers.