Professional development

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

The annual SmartAsset study reveals how the industry extends far beyond Wall Street's geography.

Also this week, LPL picks up teams from Cetera and Ameriprise and Stifel draws from Merrill

That giant question could bring any number of different answers based on a variety of factors. Here's how four experts break it down.

Conventional wisdom says that financial advisors choose to work in areas based on factors like the presence of wealthy families. That doesn't seem to be the case in a post-pandemic world.

The new rules, set to take effect May 23, will allow CFP applicants to forgo a more intensive review process in certain circumstances.

"The Four Money Bears: Berryville" will challenge fifth-graders or older children to run a successful business by building inventory and a loyal customer base.

Also this week, Hightower invests in a large RIA and Bernstein names a new head of wealth management.

Despite the notable flows and valuations, some sellers get locked into an ill-fitting parent firm without many options for getting away.

The numbers on fraud, long-term care costs and aging in America are daunting. Here's how financial planners can help clients prepare.

Also this week, a Dynasty Financial firm picks up a $1.5B team from Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo recruits from PNC Investments and UBS, and LPL draws from Osaic.

For many firms, looming advisor retirements and the need to retain client households through the next generations will create difficult problems.

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

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.

Advisor and women in wealth advocate Cary Carbonaro charts her struggle for respect and pay parity after a buyout by a big investment bank.

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.

A review of broker pay data reveals surprising trends in how top firms reward their brokers.

The headache of filing dozens of state or international returns due to the so-called jock tax comes with opportunities to tap into savings, experts say.

Market turmoil is likely to weigh on many advisors' take-home pay this year. Couple that with changes some firms have made to their compensation grids, and some advisors are in for a double whammy.

The choice of brokerage or RIA firm involves any number of factors and a range of timelines. Here's what the numbers and experts suggest are the main drivers.