Both sides say no deal is happening, but rumors are swirling about the owndership of Ken Fisher's eponymous firm.

Strains on U.S. consumer spending such as rising delinquency rates on credit cards largely indicate that Americans' debt is returning to pre-pandemic levels.

LPL Financial, Cetera Financial Group, Raymond James, Ameriprise and other industry giants drove a much bigger volume of transitions this year.

The pending acquisition furthers the firm's plans to be a dominant giant, but it also poses tests of its recruiting, capital structure and ongoing reorganization.

The deal displays the growing flexibility LPL is offering financial advisors as part of its ambition to reach the entire wealth management marketplace.

After Cetera's parent closed the acquisition of the tax-focused wealth management firm last month, departing executives received significant bonuses.

The Reverence Capital Partners-backed firm will add 1,450 financial advisors and $108 billion in client assets upon the expected close next year.

The deal follows several others in the past 12 months and reflects growing demand for retirement plan services to small businesses, Edelman said.

In its latest recruiting win from Osaic's Triad Advisors, the firm established its first office in a new region and picked up a half dozen financial advisors.

The deal, which gives Captrust its first office in the Pacific Northwest, reflects the growing power of firms like it on a national level. Here's how it happened.