Recruiting activity among advisory firms slowed considerably during the summer as the industry continued to face economic headwinds, according to the latest Advisers on the Move data.
Through September, total moves of experienced advisers between firms fell 4.4% compared with 2021. Year-to-date recruiting activity was just ahead of the pandemic-skewed year of 2020 but 14.3% below 2019. The data exclude moves between related firms and those resulting from a merger or acquisition.
Much of the slowdown occurred in the third quarter. But don’t chalk that up to beach vacations and summer reading. Since 2010, the third quarter has accounted for exactly 25% of annual recruiting activity on average, meaning there is typically no meaningful seasonal impact on the numbers.
Activity from July through September was especially low relative to comparable periods of recent years. Third-quarter recruiting on its own was down 6% year-over-year from 2021, 3.7% from 2020 and a whopping 20.4% from 2019.
High inflation, poor market returns, rising interest rates and their anticipated impact on the economy may have advisers staying put. According to InvestmentNews Research polling data, for the past three quarters, most advisers have been anticipating at least a yearlong economic slowdown. In the most recent quarter, market sentiment among the industry was at its lowest since at least mid-2020, with 29% of advisers expecting stocks to slide further over the next year.
Firms, meanwhile, appear to be looking to grow in larger bites. While individual recruiting activity is down, mergers and acquisitions in the industry are set for new records despite the dismal macroeconomic environment.
Even if overall recruiting is smaller compared with recent years, it has maintained a similar shape, with advisers largely leaving wirehouses for registered investment advisers and independent broker-dealers — though Morgan Stanley continues to buck that trend, ranking among the top firms in net gains this quarter.
Overall, 1,203 advisers on net left wirehouses through September, while 805 joined independent broker-dealers and 896 went to RIAs.
New chief executive Rich Steinmeier replaced Dan Arnold on October 1.
The global firm is navigating a crisis of confidence as an SEC and DOJ probe into its Western Asset Management business sparked a historic $37B exodus.
Beyond returns, asset managers have to elevate their relationship with digital applications and a multichannel strategy, says JD Power.
New survey finds varied levels of loyalty to advisors by generation.
Busy day for results, key data give markets concerns.
A great man died recently, but this did not make headlines. In fact, it barely even made the news. Maybe it’s because many have already mourned the departure of his greatest legacy: the 60/40 portfolio.
Discover the award-winning strategies behind Destiny Wealth Partners' client-centric approach.
