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 a mirror of what many advisors experience when they make a move themselves. The numbers tell the story.

80%: Fast Commitments, Faster Transitions

According to LPL executives, roughly 80% of Commonwealth’s AUM has already been committed to transition over to LPL’s platform, with the firm targeting a 90% retention rate by the time the integration is complete in 2026.

That’s not far off from what we see with individual advisor moves. Most advisors who transition today bring between 80% and 95% of their assets, often within just a few weeks. The playbook is similar, too: intense planning, strong communication, and specialized transition teams that handle the heavy lifting.

Today’s broker-dealers operate with entire “SWAT” teams focused solely on onboarding new advisors. They manage everything from paperwork to ACATs to client notifications, freeing advisors to focus on what matters most—maintaining relationships and building momentum.

90%: The New Benchmark for Success

For many advisors, 90% has become the standard retention goal during a move. With better technology, stronger custodial coordination, and streamlined processes, the mechanics of transitioning have never been smoother.

At 3xEquity, we’ve seen advisors hit that number again and again, and in some cases, even exceed it. One recent advisor we helped retained 94% of their book and grew new assets quickly after the move, fueled by improved tech, marketing support, and better alignment with their new platform.

LPL’s 90% target isn’t just about scale. It’s about signaling to the entire industry that efficient, high-retention transitions are achievable and repeatable when done right.

10%: The “Lost” Assets That Aren’t Really Lost

That remaining 10%—the assets that don’t move—often tell an interesting story themselves. In most transitions, those assets tend to be less desirable, inactive, or unprofitable relationships.

In reality, losing them can be liberating. Advisors find they can redirect their time and resources toward ideal clients, the ones who align with their values, pay for their expertise, and generate referrals. It’s the definition of addition by subtraction.

For both LPL and individual advisors, the lesson is the same: growth often comes not from hanging on to every dollar, but from focusing on the right ones.

$2.3 Trillion: Scale and Confidence

LPL’s total advisory and brokerage assets have now climbed to roughly $2.3 trillion, a 45% year-over-year increase driven in large part by the Commonwealth acquisition. That kind of momentum underscores how much confidence advisors have in platforms that offer the right balance of independence, technology, and support.

Advisors can take this as validation that even at massive scale, transitions still hinge on one thing: trust in the process. Whether you’re one of 3,000 joining through an acquisition or one advisor making an independent move, the fundamentals don’t change. Preparation, communication, and partnership drive success.

What It Means for You

The LPL–Commonwealth deal is a macro version of what thousands of advisors are doing every year—making smart, strategic moves to position themselves for the future.

If you’re thinking about a change, take a cue from this playbook:

• Plan meticulously.
  
  
• Communicate early and often.
  
  
• Partner with experts who have done it hundreds of times before.
  
  

At 3xEquity, we help advisors evaluate offers, project retention outcomes, and model growth potential before making a move.

Curious how your own numbers might stack up?
Start your confidential transition readiness analysis today.

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