Professional development

But Commonwealth Financial Network retains its appeal, pulling a team from Morgan Stanley, while LPL draws a large practice from RBC.

Client assets will always represent a key business metric. But $1 billion in AUM doesn't always add up to success — or to happiness.

The largest annual event for Black financial advisors drew support from some of the biggest names in the industry.

For a newly launched RIA, its website is one area in which less can be more — but only if the firm's online HQ puts the right visitors on the path to conversion.

Tips and tricks on building a successful niche. This week, Eric Franklin of Prospero Wealth on financial planning for tech executives and how he reverse engineered a customized clientele.

The industry's first AI-specific conference for financial advisors will take place Oct. 28-29 in Las Vegas and feature some of the industry's biggest names.

Also this week, Raymond James draws from Commonwealth again amid that firm's absorption by LPL Financial, and Osaic adds advisors with nearly $800 million in AUM.

Take Financial Planning's latest self-study continuing education quiz for an hour of credit toward maintaining professional certifications.

Independent financial advisors get a lot of flexibility, but a study by Deloitte and Wells Fargo FiNet delves into the complexity of expanding successfully.

The events for prospective clients may sound old-fashioned or too sales-focused, but marketing experts and advisors explain how they can be powerful lead tools.

For advisors who invest in cultural understanding, bilingual support and education, the growth opportunity is vast.

Many express frustration with either real or perceived doubts about clients' concerns, but experts say they're missing an opportunity to address them up front.

JPMorgan credits Sieg for helping to oversee the absorption of First Republic Bank and drive the firm's revenue and net new asset figures higher.

More Commonwealth advisors choose Osaic over LPL Financial, while LPL picks up a pair of Edward Jones advisors.

Cerity Partners adds its own large RIA in New York, and Beacon Pointe acquires firms in Indiana, Washington State and New York.

After struggling to find work as a transient Army spouse, Monique Street built a career helping military families with their finances, taking their causes to lawmakers across the country.

Ten financial advisors are offering fresh ideas, making bold career moves and creating deep ties to their communities. Discover how they earned their spot in this year's cohort.

Also this week, Wells Fargo recruits from LPL, RBC and TD Private Wealth, and Corient moves overseas in a deal that doubles its AUM.

Though one study recently found that 78% of hiring managers said they expect AI use will lead to layoffs of recent graduates, advisors say plenty of on-ramps into wealth management will remain — they just might not look the same.

A speech by Louis Barajas, a panel on entrepreneurship and a dating game-style mentorship matching event illuminated advisors' hard-earned lessons.