Independent broker-dealer Cetera has formed a council for financial professionals that aims to encourage diversity and inclusion in financial advice.
The group, formally known as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Council, consists of 12 financial professionals from the Cetera network.
The council will be co-led by co-led by Fanci Worthington, a branch manager at Cetera, and Stephen Oliver, founder of Manhattan Ridge Advisors.
Its primary objectives, the company said in a release, are to raise awareness and advance diversity and inclusion efforts within Cetera and the profession as a whole, to develop financial professional resource groups to provide connection, to increase opportunities for those traditionally under-represented in the financial advice profession, and to connect with local communities through financial literacy outreach programs.
The Merrill Lynch defectors expand RBC's reach in Texas while LPL bolsters its New York presence.
Separately, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack said the central bank could make a move by June if data show a clear economic trajectory.
After onboarding 26 new advisors in the first three months of 2025, the independent wealth platform is looking forward to continued momentum in Q2.
The SEC hailed the verdict against the investment advisor, who the agency said breached his fiduciary duty to retired and pre-retiree clients.
As Robinhood bets on prediction markets, advisors are skeptical of the app's push into the RIA custody and wealth management services.
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.
