Larger RIA firms growing fastest, IAA finds

Larger RIA firms growing fastest, IAA finds
There are now almost 14,000 RIAs registered with the SEC, and the number of clients they serve grew 17% in 2020, to 60.8 million
JUN 28, 2021

Advisers with more than $100 billion in assets experienced gains in assets under management of more than 14% annually over the past five years, far ahead of smaller advisers, according to a report on the adviser business by Investment Adviser Association and National Regulatory Services.

RIAs registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission now number almost 14,000, the report said. They manage $110 trillion in assets, and the number of clients they serve grew 17% in 2020, to 60.8 million.

In 2020, 59.8% of advisers served individual clients, the report found. Aside from investment companies and business development companies, private funds and other pooled vehicles were the second most common client type, with 38.7% of advisers having clients of that type.

The three most common types of institutional clients are pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations. Roughly one-quarter of advisers provide services to each of these client types.

Compared to 2019, adviser offices were more likely to be in southern states and less likely to be in traditional financial centers.

Latest News

Duo charged with posing as 49ers player, financial advisor to defraud women of $1.3M
Duo charged with posing as 49ers player, financial advisor to defraud women of $1.3M

Federal prosecutors say the scheme used fake investment accounts and a fictitious financial advisor to lure victims into romance-fueled fraud.

Convicted ex-Morgan Stanley broker ordered to pay firm $8.7 million
Convicted ex-Morgan Stanley broker ordered to pay firm $8.7 million

Morgan Stanley sought to claw back recruiting bonus money from Darryl Cohen.

Referrals aren’t luck: Why intentional COI strategy is the future of advisor growth
Referrals aren’t luck: Why intentional COI strategy is the future of advisor growth

Referrals from centers of influence may open the door, but the real key to success for advisors comes from clarity about their ideal clients and where they want to show up.

FiNet, Raymond James land California and Washington advisor teams
FiNet, Raymond James land California and Washington advisor teams

Three advisor groups overseeing more than $700M in combined client assets head to new firms.

Retirement crisis fears hit record high as debt and inflation squeeze Americans
Retirement crisis fears hit record high as debt and inflation squeeze Americans

New research finds most Americans fear a US retirement crisis, while skepticism grows toward AI financial advice and crypto in retirement plans.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

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