The Daily Upside·finance·2 min
Inside Cetera’s New $19B Employee-Advisor RIA
Cetera Financial Group has launched a new registered investment advisor called Cetera Planning Partners, which will combine Avantax Planning Partners and the Retirement Planning Group into one entity. This employee-advisor model RIA will support over 100 advisors and approximately $19 billion in assets under advisement. The new entity is part of Cetera's RIA and branches channel, led by Jennifer Hanau, a former Fidelity and Mariner executive.
The launch of Cetera Planning Partners comes nearly three years after Cetera acquired Avantax, formerly Blucora, and about three months after its purchase of Avantax-affiliated Darnall Sikes Wealth Partners. The move is seen as a response to the evolving RIA industry, where advisors and their clients are seeking integrated planning capabilities across tax, estate, and retirement planning.
Cetera Planning Partners is designed to meet the needs of advisors and their clients, providing access to in-house specialists across financial planning, tax, investments, estate planning, insurance, trust services, and retirement plans. The entity will also have access to established CPA firm relationships and a multi-custodial platform built within Cetera.
The launch of Cetera Planning Partners is part of Cetera's strategy to capitalize on the growing demand for financial planning and advice that goes beyond portfolio management. According to Cetera Financial Group CEO Mike Durbin, advisor sentiment is increasingly aligned with the RIA model, driven by accelerating client demand for comprehensive financial planning and advice.
Cetera is backed by Genstar and has a multi-affiliation model, which puts it in a strong position to capitalize on the trend. The company believes that its new RIA platform will provide scale, stability, and planning depth to advisors and their clients, setting it apart from others in the industry.
The launch of Cetera Planning Partners marks a significant development in the RIA industry, as it combines the resources and expertise of Avantax Planning Partners and the Retirement Planning Group to create a comprehensive platform for advisors and their clients.