Technology has provided our industry with powerful tools over the years that assist advisors and the back office in almost everything they touch. While innovation continues, the moves in recent years toward AI have highlighted what is unique about people that cannot be replicated by machines, including the necessity of human relationships in our industry. This week, Shehab Mohammad unpacks that concept.
Cerulli: Advisors Look To M&A For Scale And To Keep Up With A Changing Industry
RIA consolidation is accelerating as financial advisors increasingly turn to M&A for scale, to respond to changing client demands, and to keep pace with new platforms and technologies, Cerulli said, while announcing findings from the latest Cerulli Edge—The Americas Asset and Wealth Management Edition.
The report said the most addressable market for acquisitions comes from advisor retirements, with over 26,000 retirements projected in the next decade.
AssetMark: Growth Linked To Referral Systems, Hiring And Accountability
Advisory firms with “the strongest organic growth are more likely to consistently execute on referral development, accountability and hiring practices,” according to the findings of a new study by AssetMark.
Execution and business development infrastructure success by advisors is a better predictor of advisor firm growth than strategic plans, AssetMark said.
Technology: The Great Relationship Enabler
Shehab Mohammad of Artisancap explains why technology, including AI, is there to support the advisor’s human-first approach to the client relationship.
“Every financial advisor is a craftsperson and every bit of planning guidance they provide is a work of art,” said Mohammad.
The Lead: The “BIG ONE” is coming
Bill Taylor of Digital Wealth News provides his take on market events, sports and especially the SpaceX IPO. The Lead is a weekly publication of Digital Wealth News with views on the week’s top events.
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Investments Roundup
This month’s roundup features Franklin Templeton, Janus Henderson, MyVest, Morningstar, Opto, VanEck, Altruist, Wellington, Simon Quick, HFR, RFG and Natixis.
Morningstar’s research revealed that many respondents believe asset owners must remain invested in U.S. markets despite policy uncertainty and geopolitical volatility.
Deals & Recruiting Roundup
This week’s roundup includes acquisitions by Dynasty, Pathstone, Carson and AlphaCore; a minority stake in Crewe; recruiting by Sanctuary, Raymond James and LPL; business launches by Alliant and Dynasty; appointments by SEI; and research by AssetMark and Cerulli.
Dynasty is getting into the consulting game with the purchase of Optima Group.
Sanctuary Recruits Wirehouse Breakaway Valen Private Capital
Sanctuary Wealth recruited the newly launched Valen Private Capital, and its Founder and Managing Partner, John Durham, who oversaw $477 million in assets at Merrill Lynch.
Valen is Sanctuary’s fourth wirehouse recruit this quarter.
Alliant Creates Retirement & Wealth Business Division
Alliant Insurance Services announced the launch of Retirement & Wealth at Alliant (RWA), a business line created to address the increasing convergence of retirement consulting and wealth management.
Amit Dogra, formerly of tru Independence, will lead RWA.
Genesis Wealth Crosses $3 Billion In Assets
Genesis Wealth, a Chicago-based wealth management platform and non-OSJ branch office in LPL Financial, announced that its advisors now serve over $3 billion in client assets. It provides a supported independence platform for experienced bank advisors.
The firm said its growth is derived organically and through advisor recruitment, without mergers, acquisitions or tuck-ins.
Cambridge Adds $25 Million In Recruited Revenue In Q1
Cambridge Investment Research announced that it added approximately $25 million in recruited advisor revenue in the first quarter. This follows the firm breaking a record in 2025 by recruiting about $170 million in advisor revenue.
The firm attributes its growth to advisors’ demands for stability, partnership and independence amid an industry atmosphere of rapid consolidation.
Carrick Lane Adds Former Goldman Strategist John Marshall As Senior Partner
Carrick Lane named John Marshall, the former Head of Derivatives Research at Goldman Sachs, as a Senior Partner. He is initially tasked with strategy and product development for the New York-based investment manager and advisory firm that manages more than $3 billion.
The firm specializes in options-based strategies for ultra-high net worth families, family offices and institutional investors.
Feathery Cuts Sequoia’s Custodian Account Opening Time By45%
Feathery, which provides an AI data intake and workflow automation platform for wealth management, announced that Sequoia Financial Group cut custodial account opening time by 45% after implementing Feathery’s onboarding and workflow platform.
According to Feathery, RIA onboarding is often hindered by legacy systems. Feathery aims to solve this with streamlined digital workflows.
Kevin Beard Joins DataDasher AI Advisory Board, Invests In Company
Kevin Beard joined the advisory board of DataDasher AI and made a personal investment in the company. Beard is Chief Strategy Officer at WealthVest, where he leads relationship management and acquisitions for WealthVest Investment Services.
DataDasher provides a platform for advisory firms to automate meeting preparation, client summaries and follow-up workflows.
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Wealth Solutions Report
