By Wendy Leung – It is undeniable that M&A in the RIA space is heating up and not only are the number of deals increasing but the size of the average deal is also rising. What is behind this trend? Why are independent business owners merging their firms into larger enterprises? The answer is that “scale matters” and real benefits can be derived from merging a smaller independent firm into an enterprise level independent organization.
By Mindy Diamond – I am asked countless times a week by smart and curious advisors about how the economics of going independent compare to the present value of taking a check from a wirehouse or other major brokerage firm (today maxing at 175% cash up front). Figuring that the question is a valid one and that it is on so many people’s minds, here is my answer.
By Deborah Aronson – Going independent is an opportunity for advisors to gain greater flexibility and control over their businesses, but actually breaking away from an employee model can be daunting. The good news is that there’s an option available that allows advisors to gain many of the advantages offered by independence, yet without being bogged down by the day-to-day requirements of running a business or the feeling that they’re going it alone.
2016 can easily be described as a year of tumult and volatility. Yet, amidst all of the drama, firms are working to meet the challenges of a more stringent regulatory environment and business models are evolving. While advisors ride a roller coaster of change, new opportunities are emerging for those who keep their eye not on the headlines, but on their future.
By Mindy Diamond – The new hyper-compliant world has left many advisors with a pink slip in hand, thinking they have reached the end of their careers. Yet there are steps a terminated advisor can take to get back in business.
By Howard Diamond – The Broker Disclosure Rule and DOL Fiduciary Rule – coming this November and next April respectively – are perceived by many as game changers in the financial advisory space. Suffice it to say, the educational communication that advisors and firms must disseminate to clients if a move occurs after November 11, 2016 – along with the spate of requirements and regulations that continue to be promulgated in anticipation of the DOL Fiduciary Rule for next year – can be mind-numbing. This is especially so for smaller independent firms or for advisors thinking about moving to an independent model.
By Wendy Leung – Many wirehouse advisors are intrigued by the idea of gaining greater freedom and control over their business, but don’t seriously consider going independent because they think it means being alone in an office bogged down by operations and minutia. The good news is that as the industry landscape has expanded, advisors can easily find support, resources and community in the independent space. Here are a few options to consider:
By Barbara Herman – While not that long ago it may have been enough for an independent broker dealer (IBD) simply to provide basic clearing and custody and perform mandatory regulatory oversight, advisors today expect much more. With so many options out there, what should an IBD advisor look for to ensure that either he is still in the right place or that any move he considers is the best one for his clients and his business goals?
By Mindy Diamond – Many agree that 2016 will be the year where M&A deals saturate the headlines. With increased compliance looming, and the cost of doing business rising, any RIA that has been leery about steering their ship in less-than-friendly waters through the coming year may be looking for alternate routes.
By Mindy Diamond – As adults, most of us spend the majority of our time either at work or thinking about it. So I realize – now more than ever – the importance of living what I refer to as our “Best Business Life” – that is, a life of congruence between what we believe and how we act.
