Frequently cited statistics by Cerulli point to over 100,000 advisors, comprising over one-third of the advisor population, retiring in a decade. At the same time, demand for advisory services continues to increase. These trends keep a continual spotlight on succession and second-generation (G2) advisors. This week Laurie Stack and Caroline Piehl discuss G2 leadership while Jeff Nash examines how M&A affects the options available to them.
The Deal Isn’t The Hard Part. Surviving It Is.
Ryan Halls of Hue Partners and Bryan Meegan of Kupfer discuss why RIA founders should weigh timing, equity terms, diligence and specialized legal counsel alongside the economics of a transaction.
This article accompanies a video interview between Halls and Meegan in the Hue Partners: M&A Confidential video series.
Talent Stack: Timewise Financial’s Caroline Piehl Discusses Next Generation Leadership In Wealth Management
In this podcast, Caroline Piehl of Timewise Financial joins Laurie Stack to discuss leading a family practice through succession and serving younger clients.
Piehl describes gradually changing technology and investment strategies while preserving the firm’s integrated tax and wealth planning model. With younger clients using AI to analyze portfolios, she emphasizes planning for decisions such as buying a business or managing an inheritance. She also outlines how firms can help more women become advisors.
Wealth Set Go: Feathery’s Zack Khan Discusses AI-Native Operations For RIAs
Zack Khan of Feathery joins Jim Roth of Ascentix Partners on the Wealth Set Go podcast to discuss what an AI-native RIA could look like.
Khan contrasts single-user AI assistants with an AI-based redesign of workflows across an entire firm, which for small to midsize RIAs may allow for greater capacity without a corresponding increase in headcount, potentially allowing the firms to stay independent longer.
Let’s Make A Deal: The Impact Of Consolidation On G2 Advisors
Jeff Nash of Bridgemark Strategies examines how continued RIA M&A is reshaping succession paths for G2 advisors.
A sale can deliver a meaningful financial windfall and added resources while also changing the path G2 advisors take toward ownership and independence.
Good AI Systems Let Advisors Focus On The Human
Conor Curtis of Practifi argues that AI should be built around advisor workflows, capturing client context and reducing the translation between human conversations and CRM systems.
Curtis explains why bolting AI features onto legacy interaction patterns can leave the underlying workflow problem intact, and why purpose-built systems should support deeper client management rather than simply accelerate existing tasks.
Report: North American Family Offices Optimistic About AI, Private Equity
RBC and Campden Wealth’s 2026 North America Family Office Report found strong optimism about private equity and AI investments among family offices.
Of the 155 offices surveyed, 84% expected direct private equity investments and 74% expected private equity funds to match or beat 2025 performance over the next two to five years. AI was the top investment pick for the next 12 months among 85% of respondents.
Patent Perspectives: Why Diversification Is About More Than Investments
In his latest Patent Perspectives column, Pat Hynes of Prudential Wealth Advisors argues that diversification should extend beyond investment portfolios to the broader financial plan, especially when economic signals are pulling in different directions.
He examines how advisors can diversify sources of resilience, stress-test assumptions and prepare clients for risks ranging from inflation and interest rates to longevity and unexpected spending.
Why There’s Often A Valuation Gap Between Firm Buyers And Sellers
Sellers and buyers often look at the same advisory practice and arrive at different valuations, says Private Advisor Group’s Adam Schorr. Sellers may emphasize client trust, relationships and revenue, while buyers focus on retention, transition risk, operational consistency and founder dependency, creating a gap in valuation expectations.
Schorr discusses transferability, succession planning and why reducing founder dependency takes time.
WSRIA Roundup
This month’s roundup of top RIA news includes acquisitions by Sequoia, Allworth, F.L.Putnam, Creative Planning, Apella, CAPTRUST and Corient; investment by Vistria in Curi Capital; recruiting by Cresset and NewEdge; and Leadership changes at Hightower and Merit.
This month’s recruiting highlights the South Florida market, with Cresset adding a $4 billion Boca Raton team and NewEdge adding four wealth managers overseeing another $3 billion in Fort Lauderdale.
Deals & Recruiting Roundup
This week’s roundup includes M&A by Wealth Enhancement, Concurrent, Waverly, Hightower, Procyon and NorthRock; recruiting by Raymond James, HB Wealth, Uniting, Kestra and Cetera; and an appointment by Concorde.
Concurrent’s purchase of Spire brings more than 30 advisor teams onto its platform in one transaction.
Eaglebrook Introduces Direct Indexing For Digital Assets
Eaglebrook introduced direct indexing for digital assets, giving advisors access to the S&P Cryptocurrency Top 10 Equal Weight Index through separately managed accounts.
The platform combines direct ownership with rules-based portfolios and automated tax management.
Trilogy Financial Launches Trilogy Tax & Consulting
Trilogy Financial launched Trilogy Tax & Consulting, a new affiliate that will provide tax preparation and consulting services, identify tax planning opportunities and integrate tax mitigation strategies into financial plans.
“As clients’ financial lives become increasingly complex, it is important to provide services beyond traditional investment management,” said Jeff Motske of Trilogy Financial.
Larry Roth Joins WealthStream Strategic Advisory Board
I joined WealthStream’s Strategic Advisory Board as its fifth member and will advise the firm on enterprise strategy, market development and strategic partnerships.
I am thankful to Dan Daum and the WealthStream team for the opportunity to serve and look forward to working with them to bring innovation to advisors.
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Larry Roth
CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
