By Lauren Ruocco – Many independent practices reach a point in their lifecycle where growth rates begin to slow and the ability to take the business to the next level becomes increasingly difficult. And it comes with little surprise, as competition is continually on the rise from larger firms, with just 1.1% of SEC-registered advisors – some 148 firms out of nearly 13,000 – managing nearly 60% of the industry’s assets.
By Louis Diamond – It’s not surprising that the RIA space often garners the lion’s share of attention both in the media and with advisors considering their next chapter. Yet in a rapidly changing landscape, IBDs have been working hard to evolve their business models and position the firms – and their advisors – for a new chapter of success.
By Mindy Diamond – Certainly, none of us are getting any younger—and no one wants to make their life more challenging as they edge closer to what could be the cusp of their career.
By Allison Brunwasser – In a previous article, With Demand Comes Supply, Deborah Aronson discussed how service and platform providers have evolved to serve the needs of a growing population of prospective breakaways in the $50 to $150mm range—and advisors in this constituency who are seeking independence now have plenty of options to choose from. Yet with optionality often comes “choice overload”—that is, with all the available options, many advisors get stuck when attempting to discern one provider from another.
By Deborah Aronson – A new breed of service providers has emerged, designed to cater to the needs of a growing population of financial advisors who have their sights set on independence. For a population of advisors that previously had limited options in the independent landscape, a new world awaits.
By Wendy Leung – Many advisors dream of going independent for the freedom and flexibility to control their business, client service model and bottom line. What sometimes isn’t a part of this “dream” is the prospect of taking on the additional responsibilities that business ownership entails, while emptying your bank account to fund startup costs. The good news is that you don’t have to abandon your dream of independence. An evolved landscape has answered the call—with a vast ecosystem of capital, support and resources available to help you succeed in living out your dream of independence.
By Allison Brunwasser – An advisor’s choice to go independent is typically driven by a strong desire for greater freedom, flexibility and ownership. Yet with that desire comes what is for many the biggest hurdle in making the leap: Choosing between building your own firm with complete control and 100% equity, or joining an established firm with turnkey operations, infrastructure and an opportunity to gain an equity stake in a more mature business.
By Mindy Diamond – While you don’t need to have Jeff Bezos’ or Mark Zuckerberg’s level of entrepreneurial spirit, there are some key characteristics that most successful independent firm owners possess. The reality is that many independent firm owners will tell you that they weren’t compelled to leave their brokerage firm by some burning desire to be entrepreneurs.
By Mindy Diamond – While the byproduct of changing firms could be enhanced client service, control and growth, it could also deliver the really nice perk of allowing the advisor to monetize his/her business twice – yet moving only once.
By Mindy Diamond – Most wirehouse advisors consider themselves fiduciaries. That is, in practice, they make every attempt to put clients first and make all decisions with their best interests in mind. But in reality, while the advisor’s mindset and heart may be in the right place, the very nature of working for a brokerage firm makes it impossible to be a true fiduciary.
