First Allied launches website for succession planning

First Allied Securities Inc. wants to make it easier for its advisers to plan for the future. The independent broker-dealer Tuesday introduced a web platform for its advisers to enable them to approach succession and growth opportunities for their businesses more systematically, according to an announcement on Tuesday. The Succession Planning and Business Acquisition Center will help advisers identify acquisition and succession partners, track progress on their goals and learn best practices through videos and other resources, executives said. “Financial services companies have recognized that everyone needs to have efforts to build the next generation of financial advisory firms,” said Richard Whitworth, managing director of First Allied's business consulting group. The business provides loans to its advisers for acquisitions. First Allied's parent company was acquired this year by RCAP Holdings, the firm managed by noted nontraded real estate investment trust manager Nicholas Schorsch. They had $30 billion in assets and 868 advisers as of Sept. 30, according to company documents.