Schwab Advisor Services is preparing for a leadership transition as Tom Bradley, chief client officer and a veteran of the RIA industry, plans to retire at the end of 2025.
Bradley’s departure marks the close of a four-decade career spent championing independent advisors and shaping the custody landscape for smaller RIAs.
Bradley, who joined Schwab in 2019 after a long tenure at TD Ameritrade, was brought on board shortly after Schwab announced its $26 billion acquisition of his former firm.
His appointment, which came after Schwab announced it would acquire TD Ameritrade, was seen at the time as a move to reassure smaller RIAs – often considered the backbone of the industry – that their interests would remain a priority.
He initially led Schwab’s custody business for RIAs with less than $100 million in assets under management and played a key role in integrating the two firms’ adviser services businesses.
After holding a managing director role for four years, he was elevated to chief client officer in 2024 as part of an executive shakeup at Schwab. At the center of that was the retirement of Bernie Clark, who led advisor services for more than a decade and oversaw Schwab’s growth from $650 billion to over $4 trillion in assets under custody for independent advisors.
“Tom has made a lasting mark – not just at Schwab, but across the entire RIA industry,” said Jon Beatty, who's stood as head of advisor services at Schwab since taking over the role from Clark.
Beatty described Bradley’s “energy, optimism, and genuine drive to help advisors thrive” as central to his leadership, adding that while Bradley is stepping back, he will remain a supporter of the advisor community.
With Bradley’s retirement, Schwab is turning to Brad Losson, currently head of enterprise solutions for Schwab Advisor Services, to take on the new role of head of sales and relationship management. Losson brings nearly three decades of experience working with RIAs – having joined and risen through the ranks at Schwab since 1998 – and will continue to serve on the Advisor Services leadership team.
“Brad has been side-by-side with RIAs for nearly 30 years, building trust through real understanding and a steady, client-first approach,” Beatty said. "He knows this space inside and out, and we’re excited for him to carry the torch and lead us into what’s next."
Schwab Advisor Services said it will now begin the process of identifying a successor for Losson’s current role.
Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.
Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.
It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.
Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.
Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income
