From Loyalty to Leaving: Why Top Teams Exit Edward Jones
Why top advisors are crossing the fence and how recent moves reinforce the trend If you’re the kind of advisor who tracks moves, it should come as no surprise that AdvisorHub is reporting this week another move out of Edward Jones, this time a team managing more than $420 million in assets joining Ameriprise Financial […]
Figuring Out What’s Up At United Planners
A Growing Shift Toward Independence, Alignment, and Open Architecture Financial advisors are rethinking what they want from their broker-dealer relationship. Across the industry, more advisors are gravitating toward platforms that prioritize independence, transparency, flexibility, and advisor alignment. One firm that continues to appear on evaluation shortlists is United Planners Financial Services of America. You might […]
The Real Reason Advisors Move Is Not In The Press Release
Every week, headlines announce another advisor joining a new broker-dealer. The press releases all sound the same, filled with upbeat quotes about next-generation technology, enhanced support, and a culture of innovation. But beneath the polished language lies a different story. As transition consultants, we read these announcements daily, and after a while, the sameness is […]
LPL Shifts The Fight To Fees
For years, recruiting top advisors has been defined mainly by transition offers. Firms have gone to war with record-breaking deals, sometimes paying 300% to 400% of trailing twelve-month revenue to land top talent. But even the richest offers have their limits. LPL Financial’s latest announcement signals a shift in the recruiting battlefield. Instead of raising […]
What Advisors Can Learn From LPL’s Acquisition of Commonwealth: By the Numbers Edition
In a recent article, LPL Financial announced that it had signed commitments from Commonwealth advisors representing nearly 80% of assets under management, the industry took notice. That’s a big number, but what’s more interesting is what it reveals about advisor transitions overall. What LPL pulled off with Commonwealth isn’t just a corporate success story. It’s […]
Your Annual Reminder That Choice Is A Superpower
It’s happened again. Another broker-dealer has decided to exit a channel, leaving advisors to ponder their next move. Stifel Financial recently announced that it will sell its independent brokerage unit, Stifel Independent Advisors, to Equitable Advisors, effectively ending its run in the independent space. That means roughly 120 advisors, many of whom built their businesses […]
What Baseball’s Wildest Double Play Ever Can Teach Financial Advisors
The Play Everyone’s Still Talking About In Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship Series, the Dodgers looked ready to break the game open. Bases loaded, one out, Max Muncy at the plate. Then came a 404-foot blast to center [video clip]. Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick leapt at the wall, the ball hit his […]
Under 90 Days to 2026: Are You Positioned for Your Next Move?
There’s an old saying: the best time to start something was two weeks ago. The second best time is right now. If you’ve been thinking about switching firms in 2026, that advice couldn’t be more relevant. The difference between a smooth, profitable transition and a stressful one often comes down to timing and preparation. A […]
When Politics Enters the Room: A Guide for Financial Advisors
Politics and money often intersect in ways that make clients anxious. Policy debates, regulatory shifts, and broader social issues can all spark strong reactions. During times of uncertainty, those emotions often surface in advisor meetings. As a financial professional, you are not just managing investments, you are also managing relationships and emotions. The question is […]