THINKADVISOR | OCTOBER 30, 2026
By Janet Levaux
Financial advisors have more choices than ever when it comes to where and how they build their businesses. In a ThinkAdvisor PRO Live webcast, Louis Diamond, Managing Partner of Diamond Consultants, discusses the expanding competitive landscape, current recruiting trends, and the economics of different affiliation models.
Drawing on findings from Diamond Consultants’ H1 2026 Wirehouse Advisor Transition Report, Louis highlights the accelerating pace of advisor movement and the growing number of firms competing for wirehouse talent. More than 200 firms recruited at least one wirehouse advisor during the first half of 2026, illustrating the breadth of opportunities available to advisors considering their next chapter.
“Overall, there’s a lot of choice, a lot of movement”
Louis Diamond | Managing Partner, Diamond Consultants
The conversation also explores the financial considerations of independence. Louis compares the potential economics of affiliating with an established RIA versus launching a new firm, including the impact of operating expenses, staffing, technology, and scale on an advisor’s ultimate net payout.
While different models offer different levels of control and responsibility, the broader message is that advisors have an increasingly diverse set of options to evaluate based on their business objectives and long-term goals.
