The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors

An Advisor’s Guide to 2026: What 2025 Set in Motion and What Comes Next

18 snips

Jan 8, 2026

Join Louis Diamond, a wealth management expert, as he and Jason explore the implications of 2025 for advisors looking to navigate 2026. They dive into the fallout from LPL's acquisition of Commonwealth and how UBS's compensation shifts are reshaping the industry. With AI becoming a key recruitment factor and new deal structures emerging, Louis shares insights on the evolving landscape of independence. They also discuss the expected wave of RIA breakaways and the rising trend of sunset deals for retention.

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INSIGHT

Mega-Team Moves Validate Independence Model

Mega-team breakaways (e.g., OpenArc, Dennis Cleary) validate independent models and show large teams can replicate complex services outside wires.
Louis Diamond links these moves to high exit multiples and operating leverage for large teams.

INSIGHT

Equity Became A Primary Recruiting Currency

Equity is an increasingly prized recruiting currency and can multiply dramatically for advisors in fast‑growing firms.
Louis Diamond notes equity's compounding effect makes non‑cash offers far more attractive today.

ADVICE

Use AI Roadmaps In Due Diligence

Evaluate a firm's AI roadmap and its practical implication for your practice when you consider a move.
Louis Diamond advises using AI as both a push and pull factor in recruitment decisions.

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With Jason Diamond and Louis Diamond

Overview

As 2026 comes into focus, advisors face a new set of strategic questions. This Industry Update explores the forces reshaping growth, deal structures, and enterprise value—and what those shifts may signal for the new year and beyond.

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NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation.

About this episode…

Over the last year, we’ve seen meaningful shifts in how advisors think about growth, long-term strategy, and enterprise-value creation. Some of those changes were obvious. Others were quieter, but no less consequential.

And with 2025 in the rearview mirror, the real question becomes: What does it all mean for the year ahead?

Before this recording, we published our annual Of Myths and Moving article—a retrospective look at the narratives that shaped advisor decision-making in 2025. This conversation builds on that foundation, but with a different objective: to share perspectives on what the road ahead may look like.

Listen in as Jason and Louis discuss:

The most prominent developments from 2025—and those we believe will continue to compound and serve as inflection points for advisors and firms.
Evolving deal structures—and what that means for advisors considering change.
The business models under increasing pressure—and where we expect the most advisor movement to come from next.
Creative capital constructs—and how it may impact the movement of top teams.
The realities around growth and scale—and how expectations are shifting across the industry.
The role of tech and AI—and whether advisors and firms will see advancements as a friend or foe.

It’s an annual episode designed to help advisors think more clearly about the forces shaping their businesses and how to position themselves thoughtfully for what comes next.

Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002.

Related Resources

Of Myths and Moving: 2025
6 common misconceptions in the wealth management industry that have new meaning for financial advisors in the coming year.

The Transition Roundtable: Merrill, UBS, Wells, and Morgan Advisors Reflect on Their Paths
Four top advisors who each left a major firm share how they built successful independent businesses on their own terms. Originally recorded as a live webinar, this candid roundtable explores the real fears, challenges, and opportunities of transition, and what advisors wish they’d known before making the leap.

Top Tips for Setting Your Business Up for Success Years Before a Move
Even if a move is years away, or just a possibility, these insights will help you position your business and team for success, whenever the time is right.

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