Advisory practice sellers frequently wish they had taken more time for important strategic tasks before the deal, David Grau of Succession Resource Group says. He provided a list explaining why the timeline will take longer than many sellers may think.

Valuation expert David DeVoe says he thinks the falling deal numbers are less of a reflection of waning demand and more of general economic concerns.

Succession planning experts say that the possible next generation of RIA owners need clear communication, tangible career paths and thoughtful compensation plans. But that is often easier said than done.

The latest Fidelity Investments M&A report displayed a trend that dealmakers had already been noticing: RIA buyers are getting more selective. But experts say sellers can still stand out with the right attributes, and they must find the right fit in the process.

Megadeals and private equity transactions usually draw the biggest headlines, but potential acquirers can take their pick from any number of possible sources of financing.

Deals can falter when firm owners misjudge what it costs to replace themselves.

RIAs who work with Charles Schwab have long worried Schwab competes with them for business. Could Vanguard's pending purchase of Altruist put Altruist RIAs in the same position?

After his firm agreed to one of the most impactful deals in wealth management of 2026, Altruist CEO Jason Wenk sat down with FP to discuss the negotiations, his firm's strategy and the new tool he says can build higher-quality plans in much less time.

The largest firm in the independent brokerage channel is also the fastest growing. But the industry's rapid expansion alongside rising equity values over the past three years may be hiding some firms' vulnerabilities.

Industry experts say custodial firms' services have largely become "commoditized." The acquisition of Altruist opens the door for Vanguard to have cutting-edge services related to tax planning, cash sorting and more.

The purchase will give Vanguard access to Altruist's custody platform and wealth management technology.

Recruiter Jeff Nash of Bridgemark Strategies created five calculator tools that aim to help financial advisors understand the key contributors to their revenue, expenses and take-home compensation as they weigh their potential next moves.

Press an "easy button" for an internal succession or go the harder, often more lucrative route of leaving an employee brokerage to sell an independent practice? A new report from one recruiting firm shows which lane most advisors choose.

Two experts in mergers and M&A sales explained how and why RIA owners need to clean up their data, get a formal valuation and figure out other technical questions before they make a succession deal.

With its Estimated Value Index, the valuation expert FP Transitions seeks to give RIA owners a leg-up in knowing just what their firms can most likely fetch in a sale.

Over the past decade, the annual revenue gap between LPL and any other independent brokerage has soared to more than 100% from less than 1%. But that doesn't mean that the No. 1 firm can rest on those laurels.

A succession merger deal that was nearly 10 years in the making at Nebraska-based Prairie Wealth Advisors offers a lens into the many factors involved with the wealth management industry's looming financial advisor retirements.

Berger Financial Group plans to more than double its footprint and staff, and Investcorp is looking at more opportunities beyond supporting Berger in the "untapped" wealth space.

Following its purchase by Raymond James, Clark Capital's CEO discusses his firm's future and how he aims to help advisors operate as "mini virtual multifamily offices."

RIA owners may feel a "moral dilemma" when considering selling their firms to private equity-backed acquirers. But that didn't prevent PE involvement from reaching a record high in M&A deals in the second quarter.