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The industry's moving toward independence and towards the RIA model. I learned a lot from my relationship manager at Schwab early in the process about how the independent RIA channel works and who the major players were, but we didn't want to get caught up in things that took us away from our core mission, and that's to serve our clients. So joining up with a large RIA firm was definitely the right move for us. We're aligned with one of the largest independent RIAs in the country, and we custody our assets with Schwab. It doesn't get any better than that for our clients.
Video Transcript

Tom Mingone: "Joining an independent RIA."

The industry's moving toward independence and towards the RIA model. I learned a lot from my relationship manager at Schwab early in the process about how the independent RIA channel works and who the major players were, but we didn't want to get caught up in things that took us away from our core mission, and that's to serve our clients. So joining up with a large RIA firm was definitely the right move for us. We're aligned with one of the largest independent RIAs in the country, and we custody our assets with Schwab. It doesn't get any better than that for our clients.

Tom Mingone: "Joining an independent RIA."

We knew we wanted to get out of the wirehouse. That was easy. The harder part was where you land.

One of the biggest reasons that we went independent was we wanted to be able to say, it is clear who we work for. We work for the clients.

We're gonna be great advisors to our clients today, but we're also gonna think about their future.

We considered joining another firm. We also considered structuring our own. Schwab gave us the opportunity to ask some of those questions of people who had done both. We couldn't have done it without the help of Schwab.
Video Transcript

Amy Hiett and Michael Walsh: "We work for the clients."

We knew we wanted to get out of the wirehouse. That was easy. The harder part was where you land.

One of the biggest reasons that we went independent was we wanted to be able to say, it is clear who we work for. We work for the clients.

We're gonna be great advisors to our clients today, but we're also gonna think about their future.

We considered joining another firm. We also considered structuring our own. Schwab gave us the opportunity to ask some of those questions of people who had done both. We couldn't have done it without the help of Schwab.

Amy Hiett and Michael Walsh: "We work for the clients."

We didn't go independent to sit around and coast. You know, there's lots of different reasons to do it. For us, it was to go build, go build a brand and go build a business, and that's what we're doing. From start to finish, all the folks from Schwab, they fit the mold of who our team is and have been able to run alongside with us the entire way and coach us and educate us on this space. It's true collaboration, and we just didn't see it in the wirehouse world. I love the industry, I love clients. Independence brings that all together.
Video Transcript

Scott Bills: "True collaboration."

We didn't go independent to sit around and coast. You know, there's lots of different reasons to do it. For us, it was to go build, go build a brand and go build a business, and that's what we're doing. From start to finish, all the folks from Schwab, they fit the mold of who our team is and have been able to run alongside with us the entire way and coach us and educate us on this space. It's true collaboration, and we just didn't see it in the wirehouse world. I love the industry, I love clients. Independence brings that all together.

Scott Bills: "True collaboration."

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We've been helping advisors operate on their terms for over 35 years. Let us help you start your journey today.

Explore the five paths to independence

Get an overview of each path, from joining an existing RIA firm to starting your own and everything in between, in these short white papers and full-length infographic.

Join

Join an RIA firm as an employee

Bring your talents to an established RIA firm to get the benefits of independence without the responsibility of ownership.

Read the white paper
AFFILIATE

Affiliate with an existing RIA firm

Manage your book of business with the support of an established firm to handle admin and operations.

Read the white paper
SHARE

Share ownership with an equity partner

Pair up with an equity partner—on your own terms—to facilitate the transition process while mitigating risk.

Read the white paper
OUTSOURCE

Outsource tasks to a platform provider

Retain total equity while leaning on a team to handle tasks outside your wheelhouse, like technology or compliance.

Read the white paper
CREATE

Create your own independent RIA firm

Build your own RIA firm from the ground up and take total control of all aspects, including tech, marketing, and expansion.

Read the white paper
DIG DEEPER

Compare your options

Read on to learn more about the paths to independence and compare the benefits of each. 
 

Read the infographic

Schwab Advisor ProDirect™: Fast-track your move to growth

When you're committed to growth, the right support can help you reach your goals faster—no matter which path you choose to take into the independent RIA model. Schwab Advisor ProDirect™ is a fee-based membership program that guides you toward your vision with clarity and confidence at every turn.

Explore Schwab Advisor ProDirect™

Dig deeper into the five paths

 

 
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Schwab Advisor ProDirect membership is subject to terms and conditions of the Schwab Advisor ProDirect Member Agreement.

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