Two Merrill Teams Bolt For Greener Pastures; UBS and Sanctuary Wealth

In the world of high finance, where the suits are sharp and the egos sharper, Merrill Lynch just felt the sting of losing not one, but two sets of their star players. The Bucher tag team—Matthew senior and junior—decided to take their financial ball and play in UBS’s court, while the dynamic duo of Joseph […]

Go Woke Go Broke (Statement or Question?)

Financial advisors are increasingly finding themselves at a crossroads concerning the political and social stances of their broker-dealers. The transition of financial advisor Clayton F. Ortloff from Merrill Lynch to LPL Financial, as highlighted in recent AdvisorHub article, underscores the growing scrutiny of these alignments. This shift invites a deeper exploration into whether advisors should […]

Stop Doing Dumb Things: Uncovering the Hidden Costs of Broker-Dealer Fees

Caveat Advisor! You might be bleeding profits because of opaque and escalating broker-dealer fees without even realizing it. Many advisors haven’t re-evaluated their broker-dealer agreements since initially jumping on board. Back then, your smaller asset base may have meant seemingly more manageable fees. But as your AUM has grown, have your broker-dealer’s fees ballooned as […]

Accelerated Exec Departures At Envestnet

What is going on at Envestnet? Envestnet, a leading provider of technology-driven solutions for financial advisors, has seen a series of executive departures that have left the industry buzzing with speculation.   While the reasons behind each departure might vary, the collective exodus raises questions about the future direction of the company and the potential implications […]

Positive Changes To Regional Roles At Wells Fargo; Adds JPM Leader To Roster

Wells Fargo Advisors has made some remarkably positive strides in executive leadership, showcasing the strength and depth of its talent pool with the recent promotions of Barry Simmons and James Craven, as announced in a memo to employees by Sol Gindi, the head of Wells Fargo Advisors.  Barry Simmons, who made a significant career move […]

3 Of The Biggest Advisor Moves Of Q1 (And Why Your Move Might Be Next Up)

The first quarter of the year witnessed several notable moves within the industry, showcasing both the continued competition among firms vying for top talent as well as comfort among advisors (and their clients) spurred by a calming of the markets.  Factors remain in place that should be viewed as encouraging by advisors curious to explore […]

5 Ways To %&^@ Up Your Transition

While our goal is to be as positive as possible on our blogs and podcasts about transitions, the truth is now and again we come across situations where people have majorly screwed things up for themselves. In the spirit of learning from other’s mistakes (and maybe laughing just a bit), here are 5 ways to […]

The Perils Of Outside Business Activity

Another FINRA classic when it comes to enforcement action; and this time the spotlight shines on William D. Williford, a seasoned financial advisor with nearly half a century of experience at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms. Opting to conclude his illustrious career rather than engage in a legal battle with the Financial Industry Regulatory […]

Understanding Bitcoin: An In-Depth Guide for Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Clients

Over the last decade, Bitcoin has transitioned from a niche digital curiosity into a mainstream financial asset, attracting attention from individual investors, institutions, and governments alike. This transformation has been accompanied by significant volatility and a complex underlying technology, posing challenges and opportunities for wealth management clients. For financial advisors, it’s imperative to develop a […]