The assets under management (AUM) of the 45 deals completed in 2012 was found to be US$58.8 billion, compared to US$43.9 billion for the 57 deals in 2011.

Jon Beatty, senior vice president for sales and relationship management at Schwab Advisor Services, said: "The independent model has become a destination of choice for both advisors and high-net-worth investors alike, and the growth in the overall size of the deals we saw in 2012 is proof that this is a model that is growing and flourishing."

"It also points to a new inflection point for the industry, as RIAs appear to be actively considering M&A as a way to grow their business, and as a component of their succession planning efforts," he added.

The dominant buyer category was found to be National Acquiring Firms, and the proportion of acquisitions by RIAs dropped in 2012, down from 44% of the total deals closed in 2011 to 20% of those completed in 2012.

Beatty further said: "National acquiring firms are proving to be a good overall alternative for the growth of the industry, attractive to both advisors that are looking to join the move to independence or RIAs that are seeking to expand their footprint or execute a succession strategy."

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.