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AnalysisAdvisorsPractice managementThe Rainmaker

Alliant builds RIA recruiting arm for $200M to $2B teams

Alliant is hiring on a W-2 basis, targeting teams far smaller than the $5.9 billion Merrill team Morgan Stanley just added.

At a glance

  1. Alliant is hiring on a W-2 basis, so a team joins as employees rather than as owners of their own firm.
  2. A team joining Alliant gives up the equity it would hold at an independent firm.
  3. Rockefeller added a three-partner Truist team in Atlanta managing $700 million, and the group produced $4 million in annual revenue, according to AdvisorHub.

Alliant is building an RIA recruiting arm led by Dan Newhall, aimed at advisor teams with $200 million to $2 billion in client assets for the firm's retirement and wealth division.

Alliant is hiring on a W-2 basis, so a team joins as employees rather than as owners of their own firm.

A team joining Alliant gives up the equity it would hold at an independent firm. In exchange, the team may gain introductions from a parent that already sells retirement and benefits services to corporate clients, potentially putting a plan sponsor in front of a wealth team.

Rockefeller added a three-partner Truist team in Atlanta managing $700 million, and the group produced $4 million in annual revenue, according to AdvisorHub. Morgan Stanley's new five-partner Merrill team, led by Rial A. Barnett, manages $5.9 billion, roughly three times the top of Alliant's band.

Kintra Wealth, a $4.3 billion RIA, has also started recruiting teams. CEO Andy Harris says new teams must fit a model he calls interdependence, and the firm expects more acquisitions in 2026.

The Merrill team was three times Alliant's ceiling

Client assets per team ($B), with Alliant's target floor and ceiling

  • Morgan Stanley Merrill team$5.9B
  • Alliant target ceiling$2B
  • Rockefeller Truist team$0.7B
  • Alliant target floor$0.2B
Source: AdvisorHub; InvestmentNews reports
Show as table
ItemValue ($B)
Morgan Stanley Merrill team$5.9B
Alliant target ceiling$2B
Rockefeller Truist team$0.7B
Alliant target floor$0.2B

Reported by the Practice management desk from Private Wealth Daily data pack coverage, compiled from firm announcements and AdvisorHub. Published . Corrections

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Alliant builds RIA recruiting arm for $200M to $2B teams