Financial Advisor Transition

The “sell and stay” approach in wealth management mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a transformative trend reshaping how advisors approach their succession planning and business transitions.

I worked with a large mutual fund company years ago to develop a program on succession planning for advisors. I’ll share insights and considerations if you are thinking about making a transition, or are working with an advisor who is doing so.

Clients aren’t asking their financial advisor to be everything. They’re asking for clarity and confidence in what matters most to them. Simplifying the client experience may be the most strategic move advisors can make.

The wealth management industry is prepared to court its newest potential clients: Gen Z. Instead of trotting out older professionals with decades of experience, companies are utilizing generative AI to develop digital assistants.

In this article, I focus on five essential age-based milestones and life events that collectively present more than 40 million advice opportunities, enabling financial advisors to showcase their care and expertise beyond traditional investment strategies.

Having raised $445 million from investors including Microsoft Corp. and SoftBank Group Corp., the British firm entered insolvency proceedings this week after a major creditor seized $37 million from its accounts, leaving $5 million in the company’s coffers.

House Republicans narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s economic package after a series of all-night negotiations and 11th-hour compromises.

OpenAI will acquire the AI device startup co-founded by Apple Inc. veteran Jony Ive in a nearly $6.5 billion all-stock deal, joining forces with the legendary designer to make a push into hardware.

With the CHOICE Act poised to strengthen non-competes in Florida, advisors may face a shrinking window of opportunity.

This isn’t about selling — at all. It’s about problem-solving and helping — it’s about offering an opportunity to change someone’s life. Remember, they can always say “no.”

With mainstream investment products increasingly finding a second home on the blockchain, it’s a good time to ask what role central banks would play if everything they have learned while policing double-entry bookkeeping over the last 350 years becomes irrelevant.

Moody’s Ratings has followed S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings in stripping the US of its top-notch credit score, lowering it one level to Aa1.

Stephen Hemsley never fully dropped the reins when he stepped down as UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s chief executive officer eight years ago. With the health giant in crisis, he’s taking back his old job – and confronting one of the toughest turnaround tasks any executive has ever faced.

The shareholder meeting began to be streamed about ten years ago, but that has had no impact on attendance. This is one reason why I think Buffett is at peace with the idea of no longer presiding at the meeting – people will still come to Omaha the weekend before Mother’s Day.

One of the first and most promising uses scientists envision for the rapidly evolving technology of quantum computing is a new approach to drug development.

The share of outstanding US consumer debt that’s in delinquency rose in the first quarter to the highest in five years, reflecting an end to the pandemic-era pause on reporting delinquent student loan payments on credit reports.

Are you trying to grow a stable team of advisors and retain top talent? Young advisors are looking for RIA firms that offer remote work flexibility, a clear path toward advancement and role transparency.

It can be tempting to react when someone at work criticizes you at work, but take some time to consider the issue before you do.

Even though Warren Buffett is 94 and decades past the average retirement age, the end of his run as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. was always going to come as a shock.

Tracking marketing metrics isn’t about labeling efforts as a success or failure — it’s about identifying opportunities to tweak and improve what’s already working. By understanding the data, you can make informed decisions that enhance your outreach and client engagement.

In my team, we implement a concept called ARTICA, which I created a number of years ago . ARTICA is a step-by-step process to help you deal with the difficult conversations that might otherwise feel daunting,

Sam Altman’s reputation for spin was out in full force this week in a published “letter to employees” announcing that he was abandoning plans to turn OpenAI into a for-profit company. Instead, it will “continue to be overseen and controlled” by its nonprofit board.

It was a glimpse of a very appealing future: A sleek 18-wheeler powered by Aurora Innovation Inc. trundled down Interstate 45 from Dallas to Houston last week with a trailer full of goods and a completely empty cab. At long last, autonomous trucking may have arrived.

With investors experiencing heightened anxiety about their financial futures, your approach can make the difference between client retention and attrition. This comprehensive guide from our senior consultants explores actionable strategies for effective client communication during market volatility.

After months of public pressure, OpenAI walked back part of its effort to create a more conventional for-profit company, but its restructuring plans still have not received the blessing of a major stakeholder: Microsoft Corp.

Lightspeed Venture Partners, one of Silicon Valley’s largest venture capital firms, has changed its regulatory status to broaden its range of investments — following similar moves by Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and General Catalyst as they shift away from the traditional VC playbook.

Operating as a one-person shop means you’ll wear many hats, but there are common pitfalls you can avoid — and marketing strategies that can help you make the most of your time and resources.

Right now, you don’t want to burn any bridges anywhere, as you don’t know how things will unfold. Be professional and be kind. But you also have every right to set boundaries and to protect yourself!

Citadel Securities is urging the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new leadership to examine a list of what it argues are emerging and mounting risks, including opaque trading in so-called private rooms and the push by US stock markets to operate around the clock.

Private equity firms are scouring for investment opportunities in European defense, chasing the once shunned sector in an effort to benefit from a historic switch to military expansion in the region.

Tesla Inc. reported abysmal numbers for the first quarter on Tuesday evening. Naturally, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk kicked off the call with a discussion on why he must fix America’s finances, facing down an army of alleged moochers.

A group of ETF traders are betting against a spirited rebound in the stock market, as they pay up for short positions and withdraw money from bullish strategies.

I’m not someone who believes you should let offensive things go by. Look for your opportunity and be ready!

For financial advisors, moving to independence and an RIA means navigating a sea of decisions, including business model types and vision.

Andrew Leigh is a very good storyteller, making “How Economics Explains the World” an easy and fun read. In the hands of someone unfamiliar with basic economic reasoning, it might lead them to pursue economics further. Even if you’re farther along in your economic education, we almost always benefit from relearning things we already know, but in a new light.

In general, European countries have infused so much socialism and regulation into their economies that their economic growth has lagged behind the U.S. As a result, their GDP per capita is a third lower than in the U.S.

It’s always an honor for me to both attend and speak at the Barron’s conference. In thinking about this column, I am recalling many of the amazing presentations, great insights and fabulous speakers I heard.

Portfolio rebalancing helps advisors uncover a new investment plan of action that aligns with a client's long-term financial milestones. It also considers how the current market will impact asset diversification.