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 moment when doing nothing is almost never the smartest move.
It appears that many Commonwealth advisors are taking the same advice we laid out in our article Time to Hit Pause: Why Commonwealth Advisors Should Step Back Before Stepping Forward. They are slowing down, asking tougher questions, and resisting the idea that rolling with the acquisition is automatically the safest or smartest option.
The interesting part is that LPL remains a highly desirable destination. The firm has been running strong and the future looks bright. But even with that kind of momentum behind them, choice is still the ultimate superpower. High performing advisors are wired to make intentional decisions. They thrive on autonomy. They take ownership of their businesses. No one achieves long term success by assuming that someone else will simply figure it out for them.
So taking a look around, getting educated, and adopting a calm but firm “prove it to me” stance is not resistance. It is professionalism.
What this means for advisors not part of Commonwealth
Here is the reality. Very few Commonwealth advisors saw the LPL acquisition coming. That is the nature of the industry. Firms make decisions behind closed doors. Deals happen fast. Advisors often find out after the ink is dry. If the Boy Scouts taught us anything, it is this. Be prepared.
Prepared means having clarity about what you want and what no longer works for you. It means knowing the market. It means having options lined up before you ever need them. And it means having someone in your corner who can help you evaluate those options without pulling your attention away from the clients who depend on you.
Where a transition consultant fits in
Working with a transition consultant like 3xEquity gives you a strategic advantage. You get unbiased guidance, market intel that is difficult to gather on your own, and a structured process that turns a complex decision into a clear, manageable path. We surface real offers from real firms. We coordinate the conversations, validate the details, and build a clean comparison that lets you base your decisions on facts rather than guesswork. We host planning sessions, answer the big questions, and convene a war room that examines every angle so you understand the upside, the risks, and the timing before you decide on your best path forward.
You do not have to wait for a surprise announcement to begin preparing. In fact, waiting until you are forced to react is usually when advisors lose leverage.
If recent events at Commonwealth have shown anything, it is that the strongest advisors are the ones who stay proactive.
Reach out today and let us help you prepare the next step in your journey.
Get started now at 3xEquity.com
