The acquisition of Financial Resources Group Investment Services marks the first time LPL has bought one of its own branch offices. The firm will keep its brand and leadership team.

The deal represents a newer option for Cetera-affiliated advisors, where the broker/dealer will take minority stakes in wealth management practices to fuel their growth.  

The big players in RIA M&A may be putting on a good face. But debt-heavy acquirers are starting to feel the impacts of the market environment, and it isn’t pretty.

Small pricing discrepancies among wholesale market makers can have a large impact overall.

The investment will allow Signature Estate & Investment Advisors to move into the M&A space for the first time and expand distribution for its TAMP.  

Fidelis hopes to bring private banking services to the independent space, at a time when, these advisors say, the big institutions are cutting back.

Moody’s assigned a B2 rating to the notes and changed its outlook on the firm from stable to positive, saying the benefits of higher interest rates will offset the additional debt.

The strongest providers with the best talent, distribution and technology are and will be ones that offer wealth and benefit services to participants.

The brokerage’s head count dropped a slight 1%, primarily due to Steward Partners moving out of its b/d; the RIA continues to custody assets with Raymond James.

The percentage of advisors 'at risk' of leaving their firms is up from last year, and J.D. Power says firms need more advisors who will actively promote or recommend their brand to colleagues.