Your clients think the world of you. They tell their friends. They mention your name at dinner tables, golf courses, and in the family group chat. And then… nothing happens. The referral conversation happened. The follow-through didn't. Many cutting-edge advisory firms and RIAs have a referability problem. The issue is rarely luck. More often, it [...]
When Diversify Advisor Network announced its assets grew 42% to $12.2 billion in 2025 – all while maintaining full independence – it wasn't just a company success story. It was proof of a fundamental transformation in wealth management. In fact, it was a data point confirming what the industry has been quietly absorbing for years: [...]
When AdvisorHub reported that Ameriprise had raised its recruiter bounty to 16% of trailing 12-month production – the highest in the industry, well ahead of the typical 6% to 12% range – the reaction was predictable. "Recruiters cashing in." "Fees run amok." But that narrative misses the bigger story entirely. The 16% headline is about [...]
AI has moved from buzzword to business reality. For Advisors and RIAs, the question is no longer whether AI will matter. It’s how fast your practice can use it to remove friction, improve service, and stay focused on the work clients actually value. The smartest use cases aren’t flashy. They’re operational, repetitive, and everywhere. Those [...]
The financial advisory space has never been more competitive, or more ripe for transformation. Fee compression, AI encroachment, tightening compliance, and clients with increasingly sophisticated expectations are pushing experienced Advisors to ask a fundamental question: Is it time to make a move? If you're considering a change, here's what most recruiting conversations miss: A higher [...]
It’s a familiar scene inside a fast-growing RIA: assets are up, referrals are strong, and new Advisors are being cultivated. Yet every week brings another tech headache: duplicate data entry, endless logins, and half-working integrations patched together with duct tape. Despite record AUM, teams still spend too much time troubleshooting instead of serving clients. As [...]
Volatility, tighter margins, and rising client expectations are prompting many Advisors to reassess whether their current broker-dealer or firm is still the best long-term fit. Industry studies show growing interest in independence, RIA and hybrid models, and Advisor-friendly platforms that offer more flexibility, technology, and better economics. Experienced Advisor Transition Consultants report that teams who [...]
RIAs have solidified their role as a dominant growth engine in wealth management, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing in 2026. Fueled by shifting Advisor preferences, rapidly evolving client expectations, and transformative technology, the RIA sector continues to outpace traditional advisory channels in both innovation and market share. Institutional M&A activity remains vibrant [...]
Solo RIAs face a hard truth in 2026: you can absolutely run a lifestyle practice, but standing still while client expectations and competitors scale up is increasingly risky. The firms that thrive in the coming year will blend a sought-after personal touch with the systems, partnerships, and talent strategy of a true enterprise. Approximately 87% [...]
In March 2025, the SEC staff issued updated guidance on amendments to Rule 206(4)-1 (aka, the Marketing Rule), which became mandatory on November 4, 2022. According to the Kitces Report, it's a core part of how regulators evaluate your website, pitch decks, social content, and client communications. For RIAs and wealth management professionals, a clear, [...]
