Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" – this week's edition kicks off with the news that Charles Schwab's annual RIA benchmarking study found that firms continued to post strong overall growth in AUM (17%) and revenue (13.2%), alongside a continued 97% client retention rate. That said, results varied across firms (particularly when it comes to organic growth net of market appreciation and acquisitions), with RIAs that have a written marketing plan, ideal client persona, and client value proposition gaining 87% more new clients in 2025 and bringing in 127% more new client assets than other firms. Which suggests that considering the range of factors that separated higher-growth RIAs, as well as how (and whether) they might fit within their own practice, could help firms continue their client and AUM growth through future bull and bear markets.
Also in industry news this week:
- RIA M&A activity continued its brisk pace during the first half of 2026, though a survey suggests that there could be a widening gap in the valuation expectations of buyers and sellers
- A survey suggests that there could be an opening for financial advisors who offer tax planning services related to real estate transactions to build mutually beneficial relationships with real estate professionals (and perhaps receive more referrals in the process)
From there, we have several articles on evaluating the new Trump Accounts:
- How the ultimate dollar value of an individual's Trump Account could vary widely depending on the pattern of contributions made during their early years and withdrawals made in adulthood
- How the tax treatment of Trump Accounts compares to that of other tax-advantaged accounts
- Why some clients interested in building savings for their children might prefer investing in taxable custodial accounts rather than Trump Accounts
We also have a number of articles on generating referrals:
- How helping clients understand who their advisor serves best and how to actually introduce a friend or family member can be particularly effective ways to generate more client referrals
- Five ways advisors can build a scalable client referral 'flywheel', from providing clients with jargon-free language to describe who the advisor works with to creating a process that offers value to both clients and the individuals they refer
- A step-by-step approach for how advisors can build a systematic COI referral partnership program
We wrap up with three final articles, all about intergenerational relationships:
- How individuals can thrive when their care responsibilities are gone and become members of the "open sandwich" generation
- While having an adult child move back in with their parents can provide financial benefits, managing the privacy and other implications of this arrangement becomes paramount
- Why the differing lifespans and 'healthspans' of family members across generations suggest that individuals might consider prioritizing certain activities and goals rather than putting them off for the future
Enjoy the 'light' reading!
