Asset Management

LPL Welcomes $185 Million FA Les Smith

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:41 PM

LPL Financial announced that financial advisor Les Smith, CFP, has joined the firm’s broker-dealer and registered investment advisor platform. Smith reported serving approximately $185 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets and joins LPL from Edward Jones.

Dynasty Expands Advisory Capabilities With Formation Of Dynasty Consulting Group And Planned Optima Group Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:38 PM

Dynasty Financial Partners announced the formalization of Dynasty Consulting Group, a new management consulting division designed to help independent registered investment advisors accelerate growth and build enterprise value. The initiative is anchored by Dynasty’s upcoming acquisition of Optima Group, a strategic advisory and brand-building firm with more than four decades of experience serving the financial services industry.

LPL Onboards $230 Firm Allegia Wealth Management

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 1:11 PM

LPL Financial announced that Darren Colananni, CFP, ChFC, CIMA, CPWA, has joined the firm’s broker-dealer and registered investment advisor platform and launched Allegia Wealth Management. Colananni reported serving approximately $230 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets and joins LPL from Centurion Wealth Management.

Wealth Advisor Growth Network: $1 Billion Firm Elk River Wealth Management Sold To AlphaCore

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:59 PM

Wealth Advisor Growth Network (WAGN), a firm that helps financial advisors launch and scale independent wealth management businesses, announced the sale of Elk River Wealth Management to AlphaCore Wealth, a wealth management firm backed by Constellation Wealth Capital.

Steward Partners Expands Northeast And Florida Presence Through Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth Partnership

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:55 PM

Steward Partners, an employee-owned independent financial services firm, announced a strategic partnership with Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth, marking the largest wirehouse breakaway in the firm’s history and adding $2.4 billion in client assets to its platform through its M&A Channel.

Hightower Expands Hightower Family Office Offering For Ultra-High-Net-Worth Families

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:54 PM

Hightower Advisors announced the expansion of the Hightower Family Office, broadening the range of services available to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families through Hightower advisors.

Allocate And Dynasty Financial Partners Expand Partnership To Enhance Private Markets Access

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:51 PM

Allocate announced an expanded partnership with Dynasty Financial Partners to provide enhanced private market solutions for the Dynasty Network of independent registered investment advisors. Under the agreement, Allocate will serve as a preferred partner for white-label private market offerings, with its technology and fund services supporting many of Dynasty’s private market opportunities.

Raymond James Appoints Seth Ford As Chief Architect To Advance Enterprise Technology And AI Strategy

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 11:30 AM

Raymond James has appointed Seth Ford as Senior Vice President and Chief Architect, a newly expanded role aimed at accelerating the firm's enterprise technology strategy and the adoption of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics capabilities.

RFG Advisory: iCapital Partnership Expands Access To Alternatives And Structured Investments

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jun 9, 2026

RFG Advisory announced a strategic partnership with iCapital that expands access to alternative investments and structured products through RFG's ClickONE platform. The integration is designed to provide independent financial advisors with streamlined access to private equity, private credit, hedge funds, and structured investment solutions while reducing operational complexity.

HSBC Asset Management Closes Second UK Direct Lending Strategy Above Target At $2 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jun 8, 2026

HSBC Asset Management has held a final close above target for its second UK direct lending vintage, raising $2 billion in commitments from institutional investors across the fund and associated mandates. The second fundraise is approximately twice the size of the first, supported by a combination of repeat and new commitments from a globally diverse institutional investor base across Europe, Asia, and North America, including from within the HSBC Group. The re-up rate among first-vintage investors exceeded 100%.