October 02, 2025

The Advisor Transition Playbook: Inside Baseball on Due Diligence, the Move, and Everything In Between

46 minutes

A Special Industry Update, With Jason Diamond and Mindy Diamond

Overview

From due diligence to culture fit, client communication to deal evaluation, there’s far more to moving than meets the eye. In this special Industry Update, Jason and Mindy unpack the real playbook behind advisor transitions – the triggers, misconceptions, and timelines – plus lessons from the recent $129B Merrill breakaway that prove why no advisor is “too big” for change.

Listen in…

> Download a transcript of this episode…

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation.

About this episode…

Everything about a transition can seem incredibly overwhelming.

From understanding “the why’s” of a move, then conducting due diligence, and on to aligning the right models, and selecting the best firms, it might seem like a fairly linear process.

And for some it can be.

But for others, the layers of minutiae can be daunting.

Essentially, it comes down to the adage, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

In this episode, Jason Diamond is joined by Mindy, to fill in some of those blanks and share some inside baseball on how to get from here to there, including:

The main triggers that drive an advisor to consider a move—and why it’s typically not about frustration.

The biggest misconceptions about change—and what most advisors say after they’ve transitioned.

Conducting due diligence—and what key pieces of information you need to gather in the process.

Assessing culture—and how to really get a sense of what a firm stands for.

Transition deals—and how to identify if they are indeed a gift or a trap.

The timeline of a move—and how long it really takes from exploration to transition.

Communicating with teams and clients—and what you can or can’t do, and when.

Plus, they add context to their advice by drawing from experience gained in the recent $129B Merrill breakaway move.

Essentially, it’s a download of “everything you need to know when considering a move.”

Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002.

Related Resources

The $129B Blockbuster Move: Shirl Penney on Why This Transition Marks a New Era for the Industry

The $129B OpenArc breakaway marks a watershed moment for wealth management. In this Rapid Reaction episode, Louis Diamond and Shirl Penney unpack what it means for the RIA model, advisors, and the future of industry competition.

The Missing Narrative of the $129B Merrill Breakaway Story

The largest (and quite possibly most significant) advisor breakaway in industry history made news this week. Yet instead of leading with the scale or significance of the move, headlines centered on Merrill’s lawsuit alleging corporate raiding.

Transition Announcement: $129B Merrill Team Launches OpenArc Corporate Advisory with Support from Dynasty, Schwab, and Diamond Consultants

We’re proud to share that one of the industry’s largest and most decorated advisor teams has launched OpenArc Corporate Advisory, a new national firm based in Atlanta, GA. It’s a hallmark transition from Merrill, with more than a decade of consulting and guidance from Diamond Consultants.

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By Mindy Diamond Financial Advisor Recruiter and Consultant

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