LPL acquiring California broker-dealer with 260 advisors

LPL acquiring California broker-dealer with 260 advisors
Crown Capital CEO Darol Paulsen says shared philosophy with LPL will help its advisors spend more time with clients.
JUL 25, 2023

LPL Financial, a firm with a long history of mergers and acquisitions, added to that Tuesday with an announcement that it was acquiring the wealth management business of Crown Capital Securities, an Orange County, California-based broker-dealer and registered investment advisor with 260 financial advisors and $6.5 billion in assets under its roof.

Terms of the deal, which is scheduled to close early in 2024, were not released.

“Since our inception in 1999, we have been focused on supporting our advisors so they have more time to develop customized and integrated investment and planning strategies and more time to spend with their clients, providing a best-in-class customer experience,” Darol Paulsen, CEO at Crown Capital, said in a statement. "LPL shares that philosophy."

Shares of LPL Financial Holdings Inc., the firm's holding company, closed trading Tuesday at $233.22.

LPL is one of the most notable buyers of broker-dealers in the financial advice industry, starting in 2005 when it was acquired by private equity managers and then continuing after its initial public offering in 2010.

In December 2020, LPL said it was acquiring the wealth management arm of the struggling Waddell & Reed Financial Inc., which encompassed 921 registered reps and financial advisers and $63 billion in client assets.

That was a few years after it bought National Planning Holdings Inc., an independent broker-dealer network with 3,200 advisers. LPL acquired National Planning Holdings for $325 million from Jackson National, an insurance company. NPH consisted of four broker-dealers whose advisors controlled $120 billion in client assets at the time.  

Banks may buy into AI but here's why it won't replace financial advisors

Latest News

The 2025 InvestmentNews Awards Excellence Awardees revealed
The 2025 InvestmentNews Awards Excellence Awardees revealed

From outstanding individuals to innovative organizations, find out who made the final shortlist for top honors at the IN awards, now in its second year.

Top RIA Cresset warns of 'inevitable' recession amid tariff uncertainty
Top RIA Cresset warns of 'inevitable' recession amid tariff uncertainty

Cresset's Susie Cranston is expecting an economic recession, but says her $65 billion RIA sees "great opportunity" to keep investing in a down market.

Edward Jones joins the crowd to sell more alternative investments
Edward Jones joins the crowd to sell more alternative investments

“There’s a big pull to alternative investments right now because of volatility of the stock market,” Kevin Gannon, CEO of Robert A. Stanger & Co., said.

Record RIA M&A activity marks strong start to 2025
Record RIA M&A activity marks strong start to 2025

Sellers shift focus: It's not about succession anymore.

IB+ Data Hub offers strategic edge for U.S. wealth advisors and RIAs advising business clients
IB+ Data Hub offers strategic edge for U.S. wealth advisors and RIAs advising business clients

Platform being adopted by independent-minded advisors who see insurance as a core pillar of their business.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.