Market appreciation alone doesn't explain the continuing growth of the RIA channel. Overall, there was a 21% increase in the total assets under management of all included firms in the InvestmentNews RIA Data Center, from $1.1 trillion at the same time in 2014 to $1.3 trillion this year. Ten states in particular saw asset growth of over 40% — Massachusetts, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Utah, Nevada and South Dakota — while no others saw growth of over 30%. Below, we've prepared a map to demonstrate exactly where the wealth is spread out across the country, as well as the top fee-only RIAs in each state.
We just completed our first of two yearly updates to our RIA Data Center, which, using SEC data, tracks all fee-only investment advisers in the RIA space. This is the more important update of the two we conduct, as the SEC requires all firms to file an annual update of their Form ADV Part 2 within 120 days of their fiscal yearend – typically culminating in a rash of updates in the spring. Our fall update detects significantly less change in the makeup of the database.
The biggest firms that appear in our database account for a combined $300 billion in assets under management. That's 23% of the total AUM among all 1,600+ fee-only RIAs in our database – making them true RIA giants. The list:
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.
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.
“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.
Sellers shift focus: It's not about succession anymore.
Platform being adopted by independent-minded advisors who see insurance as a core pillar of their business.
RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.
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.
