Practice and client management

While return-to-office mandates have proliferated, many say you'll never get them back in the cubicle full-time.

Ted Pick and Paul Shoukry both see advantages in their firms' ability to invest in technology, offer banking services and provide access to alternative investments.

They must file the lengthy and highly specific Form ADV document with the SEC and state-level agencies. And that's just one aspect of the many strategic decisions.

Industry experts say there's theoretically no reason why firms can't keep getting bigger through recruiting deals. But a lack of good M&A prospects could make growth harder for LPL and other independent broker-dealers.

Wealth.com has built a client roster of more than 1,000 wealth management firms and several big-name backers. Now it's launching a yearly industry event.

Finding the right time to launch a registered investment advisory firm and the importance of building lasting client connections all play into advisor success.

Contextual guardrails allow financial advisors to put potential losses into tangible and manageable perspective for clients.

A recent report by Cerulli found that more than one-third of affluent investors said they prefer fee-based planning. But advisors on the ground say clients are often confused about fee-related labels and need help understanding pricing models.

A relatively small fraction of financial advisors can speak languages other than English, making multilingual planners a distinctly valuable asset for firms looking to attract and retain clients.

The program to coach Division I players on wealth management concepts comes as they navigate new layers of complexity from new sources of potential pay.

Experts say that there are pitfalls, rules and procedures that departing financial advisors should know. Problem is, too many act first and consult lawyers later.

Brian Mora, senior vice president of experienced advisor recruiting, thinks Ameriprise has the antidote to the high dropout rates seen in most industry training programs.

The transition challenges were great, writes Kimberly Foss; the ultimate rewards for her and her clients, even greater.

As Gen Z navigates student debt, housing costs and a slew of other financial pressures, many have become disillusioned with the possibility of retirement. Financial advisors say that can make planning difficult, but not impossible.

Social Security claims are up, suggesting retirees are worried about the program. We asked advisors if the economy and solvency of the program have them changing their strategies.

Areas around Jackson Hole, Aspen, Palm Beach, Miami, New York, Dallas and Austin are in the group. Other top performers may come as more of a surprise.

The flow of financial advisors to the independent channels is certainly accelerating. But the traditional brokerage giants still offer advantages for some teams.

UBS has unveiled AI video avatars of its analysts, aiming to increase video production and client engagement. Will financial advisors take the same route?

A McKinsey study highlights the growing financial power of investors who are women and underscores that financial advisors who ignore them risk missing out on a $10 trillion opportunity.