Cetera, Hightower, IFP, LPL, UBS Add Advisor Teams

According to WealthManagement.com's 'Deals & Moves' roundup, Cetera Financial Group added Jim Tucker and Patrick Bria's Tucker Bria Wealth Strategies team, overseeing $420M in assets under administration, after more than a decade at Commonwealth Financial Network. The same report says Hightower Advisors' Hightower Signature added Valley Financial Group, with $275M in AUM, marking its second external acquisition this year. IFP added two Commonwealth advisors with $400M, LPL added a $350M team, and UBS won a double-advisor team, per the report.

The activity highlights how LPL's acquisition of Commonwealth last year has opened the door for rivals to recruit its advisors. Cetera and IFP both tapped Commonwealth teams, while LPL itself continues to add teams. Hightower's deal shows continued consolidation among RIAs, with practices seeking scale and centralized support.