Transitions are among the most consequential decisions financial advisors make for their teams, clients and businesses. Third-party recruiters walk alongside advisors in these pivotal moments with experience, guidance and a long-term view that catalyzes the best results for them and the recruiting firms. This week, we are excited to honor the Top Financial Advisor Recruiters of the Year.
WSR Names Inaugural Top Financial Advisor Recruiters Of The Year
WSR announces the Top Financial Advisor Recruiters of the Year: Louis Diamond of Diamond Consultants, Frank LaRosa of Elite Consulting Partners, Jeff Nash of Bridgemark Strategies, Jodie Papike of Cross-Search and Michael Terrana of TERRANA GROUP.
The winners were selected from industry nominations based on transition activity, industry experience, capabilities and value proposition, thought leadership and supporting references from senior industry executives.
Before You Sell Your RIA, Build The Firm You Want To Own
Emily Blue of Hue Partners and Catherine Williams of The Ensemble Practice discuss how RIA founders can assess leadership and talent gaps, develop next-generation leaders and decide what an M&A partner needs to bring to the business.
This article accompanies a video interview between Blue and Williams in the Hue Partners: M&A Confidential video series.
The Family Behind The Fortune
Justin Bakewell of Pitcairn, Jason Oclaray of Angeles Family Office and Benjamin Renzo of Simon Quick Advisors discuss how advisors can help wealthy families manage the complexities of transferring wealth across generations.
They address competing family interests, communication challenges, preparing heirs and when advisors should bring in outside experts.
The Importance Of Proper Structuring For An RIA’s Equity Program
Sam Anderson of Dynasty Investment Bank discusses how RIAs can structure employee equity programs to support retention, succession and long-term growth.
He examines ownership and control, employee understanding of equity awards, liquidity planning and what firms should consider when outside capital arrives.
Ascentix Partners With PureFacts On Revenue Optimization
Private equity-backed RIAs face pressure to grow beyond acquisitions and asset gathering. Ascentix Partners and PureFacts Financial Solutions combined consulting and revenue management technology to address fees, billing, advisor compensation and practice management.
PureFacts’ Pete Hess says the partnership aims to improve pricing, capture earned revenue and align advisor behavior with profitable growth.
Advisors Should Not Have To Choose Between Having A Great Business And A Great Life
Shehab Mohammad of Artisancap argues that a successful advisory practice should support a fulfilling life. Revenue and assets under management (AUM) alone can miss the costs of burnout, strained relationships and time lost to administrative work.
He examines why delegation, established routines and changing personal priorities matter, and why advisors should fit their businesses into their lives rather than their lives into their businesses.
Wealthtech Roundup
This month’s roundup includes news featuring Anthropic, Envestnet, Orion, Jump, Ritholtz, Hadrius, Feathery, Robinhood, Betterment, Bento Engine, Cerulli, Vanilla and Amplify.
According to data from Cerulli, AI adoption isn’t stopping RIAs from hiring. Its research found that the majority of firms expected to add advisors and service associates over the next two years.
Deals & Recruiting Roundup
This week’s roundup covers M&A by Cerity Partners, Trilogy, Merit, Aspen and Constellation; recruiting by LPL and Ascentis; Ascentix partnering with PureFacts; SagePoint launching; Wealthspire adding sports; Mercer refinancing; and Arax promoting a chief operating officer.
Not all capital raising comes from equity investors: This week, Mercer completed a $1.9 billion debt refinancing and separately added a $340 million credit facility.
LPL Picks Up $1.1 Billion Team From Wells Fargo
Praxis Financial Partners joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer and RIA platform from Wells Fargo. The Alpharetta, Georgia-based practice joined Sept. 13 and will retain its name.
The team had about $1.1 billion in AUM as of year-end 2025.
Wealthspire Expands Client Services With Sports & Entertainment Practice
Wealthspire launched a sports and entertainment practice within Wealthspire Family Office, led by Frank Marzano. The practice had about $2.88 billion in AUM and served more than 200 clients, families and institutions as of Sept. 1.
About 20 advisors are dedicated to the practice, which addresses fluctuating income, complex compensation, tax and estate planning, and career transitions. It also coordinates with clients’ agents, attorneys, accountants and business managers.
AlphaCore Acquires Blue Rock With Over $400 Million In AUM
AlphaCore Wealth Advisory acquired Blue Rock Financial Group, a Delaware RIA with over $400 million in AUM. Blue Rock’s nine-person team now operates under the AlphaCore name, with Founder Todd Roselle joining as Managing Director and Partner.
AlphaCore’s Dick Pfister said it has completed four deals this year, including Blue Rock.
Diamond Report Finds Accelerating Wirehouse Advisor Movement In H1 2026
Diamond Consultants’ new Financial Advisor Transition Report examines wirehouse advisor movement in the first half of 2026, including where departing advisors went, large-team transitions and recruiting packages.
The four wirehouses recorded a combined net loss of 517 experienced advisors, exceeding their net loss for all of 2025.
Ascentis Independent Advisors Adds Four Practices With Over $1 Billion In Client Assets
Capital Waypoint, Citrus Wealth Management, IMPACT Financial Strategies and Rooted Wealth Management joined Ascentis Independent Advisors from Raymond James’ independent advisor channel. The practices will retain their names and continue to use Raymond James as their primary custodian.
Ascentis’ Michael Mansur said the teams will have access to planning, investment and operational support while retaining their autonomy.
The Wealth Industry Is Overlooking Its Middle
Established advisors can be overlooked by platforms built for billion-dollar teams or standardized to serve thousands of practices. Ron Medley of Berthel Fisher Companies examines what this middle needs.
He argues that firms should judge their platforms by how well they support these advisors’ businesses, including access to people who understand their practices and can resolve problems.
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Larry Roth
CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
