Major Advisor Transitions Bring $1.45B Assets to IFP, Prudential, Avantax

In recent advisor transitions within the U.S. wealth management industry, three advisory teams collectively managing approximately $1.45 billion in client assets are set to join new firms in 2026. Tampa-based Independent Financial Partners (IFP) is acquiring CenterBridge Planning Group, a five-advisor team formerly with Commonwealth Financial Network, now part of LPL Financial. CenterBridge, led by Jeff McCabe and associates, manages over $700 million in assets and serves clients from offices in Syracuse and Lockport/Buffalo, New York, expanding IFP's footprint and reinforcing its position as a preferred destination for established advisory practices seeking growth and flexibility. Prudential Advisors, the retail advisory division of Prudential Financial, has integrated Premier Planning Partners, an all-female advisory team based in Mishawaka, Indiana, formerly with Raymond James Financial. Led by Michelle Bryant and Marcia Kamiak, the team manages in excess of $550 million in client assets and specializes in tailored financial planning for professional women, small businesses, and financial windfall recipients. This addition forms part of Prudential's broader strategy to expand its advisor base, which has seen growth of over $3 billion in assets and a nearly 9% increase in headcount during the year. Avantax, the tax-focused advisory network under Cetera Financial Group, welcomed Prestige Global Private Wealth from Citigroup Global Markets. Headed by Waheed Siddiqui and based in Rockville, Maryland, the practice manages approximately $216 million in assets. Avantax's acquisition aligns with its strategic emphasis on tax-efficient wealth management solutions tailored to client needs. These advisor transitions highlight ongoing consolidation trends within the independent brokerage and advisory sectors, driven by firms seeking to enhance scale, service capabilities, and tax-optimized financial planning expertise. The moves reflect a competitive marketplace where advisors prioritize stability, growth potential, and alignment with firms offering hybrid models that balance independence with support. Such integrations also underscore regulatory and compliance considerations, as acquiring firms expand their fiduciary responsibilities under SEC and FINRA guidelines. Client asset transfers require meticulous due diligence and adherence to industry standards to ensure client protection and operational continuity during transitions. Collectively, these developments illustrate the dynamic nature of the U.S. financial advisory landscape, marked by increasing specialization in areas like tax-focused strategies and niche client segments such as professional women and business owners. Firms capitalizing on these trends position themselves to meet evolving market demands while navigating regulatory frameworks.