Wealth management

Merrill Lynch financial advisor Kevin Scott, number 8 on the Top 40 Under 40 list, took his cues to become an advisor from his father. Now, they work together as a team.

As an increasing number of fee-based advisors leave wirehouses to go independent, some custodians are experiencing some of the strongest growth in the financial industry. Here are the top 15 custodians as ranked by RIA assets.

The Rockville, Md., firm hopes to grow rapidly by targeting smaller firms with an equity partnership deal and, ultimately, profits. Can the strategy made famous by United Capital and HighTower work down market?

RIA firms of all sizes reported cautious optimism about their growth potential and the global economic environment, according to a new survey by Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services.

LionTree Advisors LLC, a boutique firm started seven months ago by analyst-turned-banker Aryeh Bourkoff, 40, and Ehren Stenzler, 37, is riding a wave of media deals to land among the top financial advisers so far this year.

As we head into the 2013 tax season, advisors should tell clients to be sure they won’t be hit with a Durden-style disallowance

FINRA appears to be pulling back from its campaign to regulate RIAs -- and advisors couldn’t be happier.

Many investors are carrying the scars of the past five years into 2013. Some may lose money sitting in cash or fixed income while failing to recognize some long-term opportunities. Others may be too keen on trying to time the market to avoid potential downside. To clear up some misconceptions, Wells Fargo explains some of the less focused-on market trends that investors and advisors should keep in mind and also offers some timely reminders that are relevant no matter what direction the market turns.

The acquisition increases Atlanta Capital’s AUM to $950 million

For Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, offering financial advisors more choice in terms of how they want to practice helped propel the business to a record year in recruiting in 2012.

How can advisors be more productive and take more time off? According to Jimmy Williams of Regier, Carr & Monroe in McAlester, OK and Randy Thurman of Investment Advisors Inc., by focusing on a dozen simple steps, the big picture becomes simpler.

Demographic shifts, technology implementation and investing challenges were in the spotlight this week in San Diego, where about 3,000 advisors and other industry professionals came together for TD Ameritrade Institutional’s annual conference. Between the presentations, meetings and hallway conversations, Financial Planning heard lots of smart takeaways for advisors.

A new addition has helped Focus Financial Partners, the largest partnership of independent wealth management firms, further develop its New York presence.

Senior editor Ann Marsh wrote that more new RIAs were hanging onto commission income rather than choosing a pure fiduciary role. Investment advisor Tom Brakke weighed in on Twitter: “I wanna be called an RIA but I sure like that commission income.” What’s your opinion? Weigh in with your comments below.…

An ethical will can ensure the positive impact of your client's life on future generations.

Finding a way to keep clients safe while generating more income in the markets.

The professor of law and taxation at the University of Virginia discusses the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

Take the money and run? It is a question advisors face as retirees get offered lump-sum bonanzas.

This year's tax deal could radically shift the way your clients handle tax and estate issues. Here are some strategies to consider.

Chicago businessman Urooj Khan jumped for joy when he learned he had the winning numbers for a million-dollar lottery drawing last summer. Too bad he never had a chance to enjoy it.