AdvisorTrends - The 3xEquity Podcast

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It's too late to move...

We know. That is not the headline you expected from a transition consulting firm. But it is the truth. At this point in 2025, the runway for a clean, well-planned transition is simply too short. Could you still do it? Sure. We have helped advisors identify a new home and complete a move in as little as two weeks. But do we recommend it? No.

A transition is a major business and career decision. It deserves planning, thoughtful consideration, and coordinated execution. If you can avoid rushing, you should.

And relax, those outsized transition packages don’t seem to be drying up anytime soon. Broker-dealers will keep pulling out all the stops to win over top talent. Opportunities to level up your technology, product mix, and support systems have never been better. And the momentum behind advisor mobility continues to build.

A head start now can make everything in 2026 easier. If you are already ready to get started, you can complete our inquiry form now. Otherwise, here is how to use the rest of this year to set yourself up for a smoother transition, stronger offers, and a far more strategic move.

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Why top advisors are crossing the fence and how recent moves reinforce the trend

If you’re the kind of advisor who tracks moves, it should come as no surprise that AdvisorHub is reporting this week another move out of Edward Jones, this time a team managing more than $300 million in assets joining Ameriprise Financial in search of greater flexibility, independence, and support. For those following industry trends, this isn’t an isolated event. It is part of a steady pattern of high-performing teams leaving Jones for platforms that offer the technology, autonomy, and infrastructure needed to scale.

And though we don’t know the terms of this particular deal, with offers still topping 300 percent, this move likely provided a very nice payday for the team, another reminder of how competitive the recruiting landscape remains for top producers.

We’ve written extensively about what’s behind these departures, from the cracks advisors see when they peer over the fence, to questions of whether the firm can pull off a Range Rover-style transformation, and the signals that tell advisors when it’s time to make a move.

This latest transition fits the pattern: experienced advisors reaching a growth ceiling at Jones and opting for a platform that promises both freedom and support. The trend is not slowing, it is accelerating.

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A Growing Shift Toward Independence, Alignment, and Open Architecture

Financial advisors are rethinking what they want from their broker-dealer relationship. Across the industry, more advisors are gravitating toward platforms that prioritize independence, transparency, flexibility, and advisor alignment. One firm that continues to appear on evaluation shortlists is United Planners Financial Services of America.

You might have read about a recent move highlighted in the news, where a well-known advisory group transitioned to a more flexible, advisor-centered broker-dealer. While every situation is unique, moves like these reflect broader priorities that many advisors are now considering.

At 3xEquity, we help advisors compare broker-dealers confidentially and on their terms. Here is a deeper look at why advisors are paying attention to United Planners.

Advisor motivations have shifted in recent years. Instead of prioritizing payout alone, advisors are now focused on having more control, more optionality, and more autonomy. They want to choose their technology and custodial platforms. They want a transparent cost structure. They want a broker-dealer that supports how they intend to grow their business over the next decade.

This shift is creating momentum toward firms that offer open architecture and multi-custodial flexibility, which has helped elevate firms like United Planners into the conversation for advisors exploring a move.

The Larger Trend Toward Independence

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Every week, headlines announce another advisor joining a new broker-dealer. The press releases all sound the same, filled with upbeat quotes about next-generation technology, enhanced support, and a culture of innovation. But beneath the polished language lies a different story.

As transition consultants, we read these announcements daily, and after a while, the sameness is impossible to ignore. They may tell you where an advisor went, but they rarely reveal why.

Here are three quick quotes from recent move announcements:

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For years, recruiting top advisors has been defined mainly by transition offers. Firms have gone to war with record-breaking deals, sometimes paying 300% to 400% of trailing twelve-month revenue to land top talent. But even the richest offers have their limits.

LPL Financial’s latest announcement signals a shift in the recruiting battlefield. Instead of raising the stakes with bigger checks, they’re attacking a less obvious but equally powerful lever: fees.

Beginning July 1, 2026, LPL will reduce fees across its Strategic Asset Management (SAM) and Model Wealth Portfolios (MWP) platforms. The move will streamline pricing and lower advisor costs, a rare combination in an era when many firms have quietly increased administrative and platform expenses.

“This isn’t just a pricing change, it’s a strategy shift,” said Chris Stacey, COO of 3xEquity. “It’s a smart play that rewards existing advisors while making LPL even more attractive to advisors in motion. They’re redefining how firms compete for talent.”

LPL seems to recognize that recruiting today isn’t just about the size of the upfront check. Advisors care just as much about their long-term economics, and lower fees translate directly into higher take-home income. In essence, LPL is saying, “What if we make it easier for you to keep more of what you earn?”

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LPL Financial’s acquisition of Commonwealth is more than a merger — it’s a masterclass in transition strategy. In this AdvisorTrends episode, we break down what happened, why it matters, and how it mirrors the experience of advisors who make successful moves every year.

Eighty percent of assets have already shifted to LPL, with a target of ninety percent retention by 2026. We’ll explore what those numbers mean, how transition teams drive that success, and why the ten percent that don’t move often create hidden opportunity.

You’ll also hear how one advisor we worked with hit ninety-four percent retention and then grew beyond it by leveraging new tools and support.

If you’ve ever wondered what a transition could really look like for your practice, this episode will give you the confidence — and the numbers — to see what’s possible.

READ THE STORY HERE

Another BD has done it...it's made a decision that impacts the careers of 120 of their advisors. In this reading of our most recent article we help unpack what happened and remind advisors that they ultimately choose their destiny. Learn more at 3xEquity.com.

It’s happened again. Another broker-dealer has decided to exit a channel, leaving advisors to ponder their next move. Stifel Financial recently announced that it will sell its independent brokerage unit, Stifel Independent Advisors, to Equitable Advisors, effectively ending its run in the independent space.

That means roughly 120 advisors, many of whom built their businesses under Stifel’s banner, now face a crossroads:Do they go along with the plan and find themselves at a new firm they didn’t choose?Or do they step back and see what the broader market holds?

We have little doubt these advisors are already in high demand. Their phones are likely ringing off the hook with calls from internal recruiters and competing firms eager to get the first bite at the apple. It might feel like a nice ego boost amidst the news that the culture they carefully adopted or adapted to has shifted underneath them.

Still, this is a moment to pause. Take a breath. Step back. Whatever phrase works for you. Because what you decide in the coming weeks will shape your career for years to come.

1. You are in the driver’s seat of your own career.The firm made its decision, now it’s your turn. You control the next chapter, not the other way around.
   
2. You are desirable to a lot of firms.Quality independent advisors are in short supply, and demand is strong. Firms large and small are competing to attract talent with better technology, higher payouts, and meaningful transition support.
   
3. Your next move is a long-term decision.While it’s tempting to react quickly, especially when recruiters are eager to make things easy, this is not the moment for speed. Take the time to explore all your options before you commit.
   

Simply put, you are a free agent.

You didn’t ask for this, but the ball is in your court.

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The Play Everyone’s Still Talking About

In Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship Series, the Dodgers looked ready to break the game open. Bases loaded, one out, Max Muncy at the plate. Then came a 404-foot blast to center.

Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick leapt at the wall, the ball hit his glove, then the wall, then his glove again. It wasn’t a catch, so runners were forced to advance. But what happened next defied logic.

Frelick fired to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who relayed to catcher William Contreras for the force at home. Contreras then stepped on third to double off Will Smith.

Score it 8-6-2, the first of its kind in postseason history. And officially? A ground-ball double play that never actually touched the ground.

Here’s what’s remarkable. Everyone on that field was among the best, most disciplined, and most situationally aware athletes in the world. Yet the baserunners froze.

Why? Because their eyes deceived them.

They saw Frelick’s glove move, assumed the ball was caught, and hesitated. In the blink of an eye, perception turned into paralysis.

When information comes flying at 100 miles per hour, especially when it looks familiar, it’s easy to misread it. The runners didn’t make a careless mistake; they made a human one. The game sped up faster than their minds could process it.

Financial advisors face a similar dynamic when they consider a move. Information floods in, from transition offers and technology claims to payout structures and recruiting incentives. Every firm seems to be “the perfect fit.”

But like those baserunners, advisors can’t always see everything that’s happening in real time. A detail gets missed, a clause is misunderstood, or an assumption about service levels turns out wrong. The game speeds up, and mistakes happen.

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There’s an old saying: the best time to start something was two weeks ago. The second best time is right now.

If you’ve been thinking about switching firms in 2026, that advice couldn’t be more relevant. The difference between a smooth, profitable transition and a stressful one often comes down to timing and preparation.

A move isn’t just about a new logo on the door, it’s about setting yourself, your clients, and your business up for long-term success.

We’re now less than 90 days away from 2026, and while it’s still possible to complete a move before year-end, many advisors are already thinking ahead, planning how to position themselves for a more strategic, well-timed transition in the new year. Getting a head start allows you to explore options, review offers, and move at a pace that protects both your clients and your bottom line.

At 3xEquity, we’ve helped over 1,000 advisors understand their options and opportunities to find a better fit. Through that experience, we’ve seen what separates the top transitions from the rest. Here are the key steps to take now so you’re ready when opportunity calls next year.

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In football, some of the most electrifying plays start small and end big. Think of that short screen pass that turns into an 80-yard sprint to the end zone. That extra burst of speed, the vision to find open space, and the ability to break tackles lead to big gains. This is captured in a stat known as Yards After Catch (YAC).

It’s not just about making the catch; it’s about what you do next.

The same is true for financial advisors who switch broker-dealers.

Making a move to a new firm is the catch. What separates good advisors from great ones is how much they grow their business after the move, their “Yards After Catch.”

When an advisor changes broker-dealers, it sets up an opportunity for better tech, more flexible client solutions, branding freedom, and often a fresh narrative to share with clients. But not every advisor turns that opportunity into growth.

“Advisors need to know that the size of the check is just one part of the transition decision,” says Chris Stacey, COO of 3xEquity. “Offers are still very lucrative right now, but the extra yardage comes from how a firm can help you grow and achieve your goals. Ultimately, that ongoing support and growth potential could be even more valuable than the initial transition package. At 3xEquity, we help advisors ask the right questions and understand how the answers apply to their specific circumstances.”

Industry studies show that successful advisors typically grow their AUM by 10-30% within 12 to 24 months of making a move. The best performers often exceed that, gathering new assets and strengthening client relationships faster than they ever could have before.

The move gets you the ball. What you do with it determines how far you’ll go.

The Move is Just the StartWhich Firms Create the Most Yards After Catch?

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