Wealth Engineering News

• Shook Research Rebrands as Veritant, Plans December Return of Forbes RIA Rankings October 15, 2026
  After a controversy over a $6 million payment from its founder to a top Forbes editor prompted a suspension of advisor rankings, the firm is revamping its technology and research processes and introducing an Independence Charter to restore confidence in its lists.
• Software Needs to 'Show its Work'—Why Outcome-Based Pricing Is the Future October 15, 2026
  Create measurable value first, then share in the profits.
• People Moves: Advisor Vet Joins RIA Ballast Rock; UBS Leaders Join &Partners October 15, 2026
  In other people moves, T.D. Bank appoints a new U.S. wealth head, MAI Capital hires a former Barron's editor, and EP Wealth hires a Denver-based advisor from Curi RMB Capital.
• State Regulators Fine Wells Fargo, Merrill Over Small-Dollar Trade Commissions October 15, 2026
  The firms will collectively pay $4.4 million to settle claims by the North American Securities Administrators Association alleging that they charged unreasonable commissions to retail clients.
• How to Evaluate Financial Advisory Conferences October 15, 2026
  The best conference is not necessarily the one with the biggest crowd.
• Schwab Tags Wealth Advice as Key Growth Area, Investment Focus October 15, 2026
  On a third-quarter earnings call, CEO Rick Wurster said Schwab Wealth Advisory is a growth opportunity for the firm; separately, he noted that the firm is working on a proprietary version of the popular long-short investment strategy.
• Before You Turn On AI, Treat It Like a New Hire October 15, 2026
  Having a tool available and a firm being ready are two different things.
• Q3 M&A Deal Volume Cools, But Consolidators May Yet Drive a Record 2026 October 15, 2026
  Reports from DeVoe, Piper Sandler and Fintrx show a lighter third-quarter deal market, but the analysts see no signs of slowing among capital-backed RIA consolidators.
• The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors: UBS Breakaways on What It Takes to Move $1B in Just Months October 15, 2026
  After leaving UBS to launch Ox Road Capital, Michael Lee, Steve Armaly, and their partners crossed $1B in AUM in just 225 days. They share how years of client trust, partner alignment and a client-first vision helped make it possible.
• Former VestGen CEO Launches New Wealth Firm October 15, 2026
  Valla Wealth is operating as a DBA of The Invictus Collective, a Dynasty-backed firm, using the RIA’s proprietary tech stack and structured notes products.