So, Creative Planning just bought SageView Advisory. Another week, another acquisition in the retirement plan world. At this point, consolidation is like the weather forecast, inevitable and rarely surprising.
Every few months, one big advisory firm swallows another, and the press releases always sound the same: “We’re thrilled to join forces to provide enhanced client value.” Translation: someone got a nice payday, and now everyone has to figure out how to merge two very different cultures.
Here’s the thing, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Clients don’t care about scale; they care about service. If a merger means their calls go to voicemail longer or their reports take an extra week, that “enhanced value” tagline gets old fast.
Still, I can’t fault either side. This is the business now, grow or get eaten. Just remember, for those of us still independent, this is where we can stand out: being personal, nimble, and actually answering the phone.
Because while big firms buy growth, the rest of us still earn it.
