RIABiz

Fidelity's move to kick sub-$100-million RIAs off its platform is 'bizarre,' Kitces says; it’s likely to backfire, Chalekian says; yet, the Fidelity-Savvy deal last week may ...

The Boston No. 2 RIA custodian shocked the RIA industry. Yes, RIA custody is a ‘broken' model and serving small firms can ...
RIABizOpinion

Merrill Lynch creates hefty new 'data' and 'shelf' fees and offers third-party managers who pay them a leg up when its 'thundering herd' recommends investments – but s…

The New York wirehouse was slow but also benefits as last mover among its peers, analysts explain -- it knows exactly how ...
RIABiz

Fidelity Investments just cast a wider net for RIA custody revenues by backstopping Savvy Wealth's (expected mid-2027 ) custody launch -- hastened by the lean-in of '…

Savvy and Fidelity make a strong team to target Commonwealth assets, Savvy CEO says, because those advisors lived on Fidelity ...
RIABizOpinion

Hightower Advisor CEO names two new presidents -- one to revamp the old rollup business, the other to develop the new single-system unit -- both with the objectiv…

Marco De Freitas wil undertake the massive switch from Vanguard in November and Jennifer Frazier will mostly formalize her ...
RIABiz

Pontera 'reframes' itself from 401(k) workaround agent to trusted gatekeeper of AI agents -- possibly solving impasse with Fidelity -- as Schwab unleashes 'Charley' ag…

Pontera blogger describes onslaught of demand for 'trust overlay' in a world where agents need perpetual rapid vetting where ...
RIABiz

Schwab's surprise unveiling of Anthropic deal at Future Proof shows it has an AI ace up its sleeve, but it may take five years or more to catch up with Altruist, if at all, say ...

RIAs are caught in the middle over data concerns, as the $6-trillion RIA custody giant blindsides the soon-to-be ...
RIABiz

Schwab's poach of $8-billion Ameriprise breakaway extends its wild 2026 rout of the once impenetrable fortress to four $1-billion-plus teams with help from high-multip…

The Westlake, Texas custodial giant of $6 trillion helped launch Rise Private Wealth Management and its is is running the ...
RIABiz

David Fortunato makes his third pivot after cash management cross-selling fails to yield ample robo investors -- a bolt-on discount brokerage will join its digital home-lending ...

Wealthfront launches a self-directed brokerage to capture rate chasers who failed to convert to automated robo-investing. Revenue stagnation and a stock price 35% below IPO levels reflect challenges ...
RIABiz

Pontera 'reframes' itself from 401(k) workaround agent to trusted gatekeeper of AI agents -- possibly solving impasse with Fidelity -- as Schwab unleashes 'Charley,' its new AI ...

Pontera Public Policy Director describes onslaught of demand for 'trust overlay' in a world where AI agents need perpetual rapid vetting where his firm lives.
RIABiz

Schwab scores exclusive (for now) contract with Anthropic and takes AI 'driver's seat' in RIA custody, analyst says, though others counter that it's generic and late-coming

Schwab Advisor Services secured an exclusive custodial partnership with Anthropic to deploy Claude for Financial Advisors. Analysts claim Schwab’s massive scale provides a competitive advantage ...
RIABiz

Marty Bicknell commits $175 million to install 700 'AI' bots to revolutionize RIA automation; the gamble isn't AI but whether advisors, clients, staff and leadership will ...

Mariner Wealth Advisors is committing $175 million to deploy 700 AI bots for enterprise-wide back-office automation. Automating administrative tasks aims to free advisors from drudgery, allowing them ...
RIABiz

Ritik Malhotra sells not-for-sale Savvy stake for $100 million after Utah Jazz owner showed up big for his LPL-disruption-by-AI play -- and Mark Casady re-upped at the new ...

Ritik Malhotra: We're up 4-x this past year to $9 billion in assets under management, with another $5 billion in recruited assets on the way. Key Points Savvy Wealth secured a $100 million Series C ...