Thinking about starting an RIA in 2026, breaking away from your current firm, or finally putting your name on the door? Founding your own independent advisory firm has many benefits: fiduciary autonomy, higher long-term income potential, and the ability to create true business equity. But before you file anything, you need clear, direct answers to [...]
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 [...]
There's a paradox lurking in most advisory practices: business owners are among the wealthiest, most complex clients. And yet only 24% sought guidance from a financial professional in the past year, according to a 2025/26 Nationwide survey of small- and mid-sized business owners. Another 24% said Advisor guidance would simply give them peace of mind. [...]
Women are poised to inherit the majority of an estimated $84 trillion to $124 trillion in assets transferred by 2045, driven by longer life expectancies and intergenerational transfers. By 2030, women in the U.S. are expected to control $34 trillion in investable assets, and they increasingly act as primary financial decision-makers for their households and [...]
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% [...]
Succession planning is a powerful, value-creating lever, and a pivotal opportunity for RIAs. Over the next decade, more than 100,000 Advisors are expected to retire, representing approximately $12 trillion in AUM changing hands. Yet despite this looming wave of transitions, many firms remain woefully unprepared. A Cerulli Associates report indicates that one in three Advisors [...]
A recent Gallup poll showed 42% of Americans ages 18 to 29 head to social media for their financial information. The popularity of financial content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram is skyrocketing, with some #FinTok content boasting over 4 billion views. For tech-savvy Advisors looking to make the move to independence or build a [...]
As leaders in the Advisor transition space, the senior consultants at TERRANA GROUP understand that the industry's future depends on its ability to attract, develop, and nurture the next generation through innovation and thoughtful succession planning. With a wave of retirements looming, shifting client expectations, and a rapidly evolving economic landscape, establishing a strong talent [...]
In today’s fiercely competitive wealth management landscape, your Advisor brand is more than a buzzword; it’s your most valuable asset. If you're contemplating the liberating leap to independence, whether launching an RIA, opening your own firm, or joining a hybrid model, your reputation is the cornerstone for attracting the right clients, building trust, and differentiating [...]
