August’s most-read stories examined how advisory firms earn prospective clients’ confidence, support advisor growth and plan for succession. They also covered Stratos’ latest acquisition and the opportunity for firms to recalibrate rollover compliance following recent regulatory changes.
The Most Important Client Interaction Happens Before The First Meeting
Meg Carpenter unpacks findings from her firm Ficomm’s research involving 1,000 high net worth investors, which found that half of those with at least $5 million in investable assets found their advisor without a referral, demonstrating how a firm’s website, search visibility, thought leadership and individual advisor reputation can shape trust before the first meeting.
Paths To Growth And Ownership For Advisors
Great Valley Advisor Group’s Kate Quinn explains why sustainable advisor growth requires a defined client niche; effective front, middle and back office support; and an honest assessment of whether an advisor is prepared for the operational responsibilities of ownership.
The Third Path: What RIAs Should Consider Before Selling
Prairie Wealth’s Craig Hundt reflects on his firm’s merger with The McEwen Group, which illustrates how a peer merger can provide an alternative to remaining fully independent or selling to a national aggregator, provided the firms align on culture, complementary capabilities, control and the needs of clients and employees.
Stratos Buys $400 Million Illinois-Based RPI Financial Life Planners
Stratos Wealth Enterprises acquired Naperville, Illinois-based RPI Financial Life Planners, which oversees approximately $400 million in client assets, marking Stratos’ 12th acquisition since SEI invested in the firm.
The Rollover Compliance Reset Firms Have Been Waiting For
Following the vacatur of the 2024 Retirement Security Rule and the Department of Labor’s return to the 1975 five-part test, firms should reassess when PTE 2020-02 applies while maintaining rigorous rollover review, documentation and supervisory standards.
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