It Takes a Lot of Work to Make a Transition Feel Simple
“It takes a lot of work to make something simple.” — Steve Wozniak Earlier this year, a client told us something that stayed with us. They said the transition felt simple. That word is easy to overlook. In many professions, “simple” can sound like shorthand for quick or lightweight. But in the context of a […]
As 2025 Ends, Why Advisors Should Look Toward 2027
As 2025 comes to a close, many financial advisors are reflecting on a year marked by rapid change and heightened uncertainty. Shifts in the political climate, ongoing economic questions, trade and tariff discussions, and broader cultural tension created an environment where clients needed more communication, more reassurance, and more perspective. For many advisors, that meant […]
LPL’s CEO Just Confirmed What We’ve Been Saying All Along
Going along for the ride just because your broker dealer was acquired is not necessarily the best solution When LPL CEO Rich Steinmeier acknowledged that signing on Commonwealth advisors is taking longer than expected, he confirmed something we have been telling advisors for months. Surprise acquisitions create hesitation. They create questions. And they create a […]
It’s Too Late To Move
We know. That is not the headline you expected from a transition consulting firm. But it is the truth. At this point in 2025, the runway for a clean, well-planned transition is simply too short. Could you still do it? Sure. We have helped advisors identify a new home and complete a move in as […]
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 […]