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.

Laura Sullivan stands accused of accessing confidential customer data and violating a nonsolicitation agreement by bringing along at least 15 client households.

LPL Financial also pulls an advisory team from RBC, and Cetera hires a chief fiduciary officer for its trust subsidiary.

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.

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.

UBS continues to lose larger advisory teams after making changes to compensation policies last year. Meanwhile, Ashton Thomas and LPL both score advisory teams.

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

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.

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

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 dilemmas from data, client demand and recruiting could provide opportunities for upstarts. Here's how wealth and asset management firms are responding.

The industry rivals could still turn to FINRA arbitration to pursue their dispute over allegedly unwarranted data breach notices Ameriprise sent LPL customers.

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.

In an earnings call, LPL's CEO said his efforts to woo Commonwealth advisors have extended to a "rain-soaked" bike ride and wine-tasting tour.

CEO Tony Miller thinks the financial backing Janney draws from the private equity firm KKR allows it to provide a full gamut of advisor support without losing its intimate feel.

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