You’ve built a thriving practice. Your successor is sitting 10 feet away, ready to take the reins. But when they ask how they’ll actually buy you out, do you have a real answer … or just vague promises about “working something out”?

What qualities do you admire in great leaders? What qualities make someone difficult to follow? What matters most to you, not just professionally but personally? What are your values, and what do those values actually look like in the way you work? What kind of leader do you want to be?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a significant strategic investment across wealth management. As its deployment evolves from experimentation into day-to-day operations, firms are increasingly expected to demonstrate the business value of those investments.

DeVoe data shows third-quarter RIA deals fell 19% as private equity-backed buyers increasingly target firms with $1 billion-plus in assets, says dealmaker Corey Kupfer.

The registered investment advisor channel has never been bigger, and for the firms inside it, standing out is getting harder. As more advisors break away to launch or join RIAs, many are marketing near-identical services. That leaves prospects with little reason to choose one firm over another.

Advisors should evaluate whether financial wellness programs help employees make decisions across multiple benefits, not just provide standalone tools.