In the News

The Big Shrink: Independent Broker Dealer Report Card 2012

February 1, 2012
by Diana Britton and featured in Registered Rep

In our second IBD Report Card, we examine the grades advisors gave their firms, and offer a look at one major trend that will shape the indie landscape in the next few years: consolidation.

Despite a tough market environment and a squeeze on profit margins, plenty of IBDs large and small are doing an excellent job of keeping their financial advisors happy, Registered Rep.‘s 2012 Independent Broker/Dealer Report Card shows. Just look at the grades the firms at the top took home. (See page 42, “The Grades are In.”) But analysts and executives predict the landscape is going to change dramatically in the next three years as the buying and selling of firms accelerates.

More wirehouse brokers expected to bolt this year

January 22, 2012
by Dan Jamieson and featured in Investment News

Greener grass, expiring deals, calmer market will open gates

More brokers should shift to the independent RIA channel this year as markets stabilize and retention deals wind down.

That’s the prediction of custodians, for whom last year was a mixed bag as flat but volatile markets made it difficult for many advisers to make major career changes.

Schwab Advisor Services welcomed about the same number of breakaway brokers as it did in 2010, bringing in 166 teams. Breakaway assets fell slightly to $12.1 billion, from $12.6 billion the year before.

“Movement seemed to slow in the fourth quarter,” compared with the prior nine months, said Tim Oden,

Consolidation 2012: Lincoln Scoops Up Capital Analysts for HNW Foothold

by Diana Britton and featured in Registered Rep, February 8, 2012

Lincoln Investment Planning, an independent broker/dealer in Philadelphia, announced it will acquire independent broker-dealer Capital Analysts from insurance firm Western & Southern Financial Group. The move will add some 250 advisors to Lincoln, many with a strong focus on the high net worth market, said N. Mark Marr, chief financial officer of Lincoln. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lincoln, not to be confused with Lincoln Financial Group, has its roots in the 403(b) and mass affluent investor space, but the Capital Analysts is part of a strategic plan to capture an edge in the high-net-worth space, Marr said. Lincoln has an aggressive growth plan, including the acquisition of Great American Advisors in 2010,