SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) (the “Company”) today released its monthly activity report for January 2026. Total advisory and brokerage assets at the end of January were $2.41 trillion, an increase of $38.0 billion, or 1.6%, compared to the end of December 2025. Advisory assets as a percentage of total assets increased to 59.1%, up from 54.8% a year ago. Total organic net new assets for January were $4.2 billion, translating to a 2.1% annualized gro ...

Core Insights - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) has formed a strategic partnership with Simplicity Group to enhance its insurance platform and support for financial advisors, effective May 1, 2026 [1][9] Partnership Details - Simplicity will act as LPLA's preferred Brokerage General Agency (BGA), providing a wide range of insurance products, advanced technology, and dedicated client service support to advisors [2] - LPLA will transition its internal insurance unit, LPL Insurance Associates, to Simplicity to create a more unified experience for advisors and clients [2] Advisor Benefits - Advisors using Simplicity's platform will gain access to specialized wholesale assistance, point-of-sale support, integrated insurance solutions, and advanced planning expertise for high-net-worth individuals [3] Strategic Goals - The partnership aims to provide advisors with advanced technology and support, enabling them to build deeper client relationships and address a broader range of financial needs, which is expected to drive revenue growth and asset retention [5] Market Position - LPLA has a network of over 32,000 advisors and nearly $2.4 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets, which will significantly enhance Simplicity's distribution capabilities and competitive position in the insurance advisory market [6] Ongoing Expansion Efforts - LPLA is actively expanding its wealth management platform through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, including the acquisition of Commonwealth Financial and The Investment Center in 2025, and Crown Capital Securities and Atria Wealth Solutions in 2024 [7][8]

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial LLC announced today that financial advisor Tom Madigan, CEPA®, has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer, Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and custodial platforms, aligned with Thimble Island Private Wealth, an existing firm supported by LPL Strategic Wealth (SW). He reported serving approximately $300 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement assets* and joins LPL from UBS. Based outside New Haven, Conn. in Branford, the Thimble Island team i ...

Simplicity Group and LPL Financial Form Strategic Relationship to Deliver Insurance Products, Operational Support, and Training to LPL Advisors [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationSAN DIEGO and SUMMIT, N.J., Feb. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) ("LPL Financial" or "LPL"), a leading wealth management firm, and Simplicity Group ("Simplicity"), a leading insurance partner for advisors, financial institutions, and consumers, today announced a strategic agreement that wil ...

Core Insights - LPL Financial LLC has welcomed Jason Mochi from Shoreline Private Wealth Management, which manages approximately $275 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets, transitioning from Morgan Stanley [1][2]. Company Overview - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. is one of the fastest-growing wealth management firms in the U.S., supporting over 32,000 financial advisors and approximately 1,200 financial institutions, with around $2.4 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets for about 8 million Americans [6]. Client Focus and Service Model - Shoreline Private Wealth Management emphasizes a personalized, family-focused service model, prioritizing long-term relationships and comprehensive planning over transactional interactions [3][4]. - Jason Mochi's approach to wealth management is characterized by listening, disciplined strategy, and independent judgment, aligning with clients' long-term goals [2][4]. Strategic Partnership - The decision to partner with LPL was driven by its scale, platform strength, and support for a high-touch, client-first service model, allowing Shoreline to deliver customized advice without compromise [3][4]. - LPL's commitment to providing innovative technology and comprehensive business solutions aligns with Shoreline's focus on independence and personalization in client service [4].

AI-n’t no thang, but a chicken wing. It’s easy for financial planners or wealthtech entrepreneurs to say: “AI is not going to replace human advisors.” However, that was before last week, when the digital-first custodian Altruist launched an AI-powered tool on its Hazel platform. The program’s debut spooked investors, and wealth management stocks took a tumble. Charles Schwab’s stock sank almost 11%, and Morgan Stanley fell nearly 5% last week. Meanwhile, LPL and Ameriprise saw their stocks drop 13% each. ...

Core Insights - LPL Financial (LPLA) is the leading independent broker-dealer in the United States, serving approximately 32,200 financial advisors and managing around $2.4 trillion in assets under custody [1] Company Overview - The core value proposition of LPL Financial is to provide a comprehensive suite of solutions across the front, middle, and back office [1]

Core Insights - Generative AI is viewed as a transformative technology by Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy, indicating its potential to reinvent customer experiences across the company [1] - Elon Musk predicts that humanoid robots could create a market worth $250 trillion by 2040, representing a significant shift in the global economy driven by AI innovation [2][3] - Major firms like PwC and McKinsey acknowledge the multi-trillion-dollar potential of AI, suggesting a broad consensus on its economic impact [3] Company and Industry Analysis - A breakthrough in AI technology is redefining work, learning, and creativity, leading to increased interest from hedge funds and top investors [4] - There is speculation about an under-owned company that may play a crucial role in the AI revolution, with its technology posing a threat to competitors [4][6] - Prominent figures in technology and investment, including Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, recognize AI as a significant technological advancement with the potential for substantial social benefits [8] Market Dynamics - The AI ecosystem is expected to reshape how businesses, governments, and consumers operate, indicating a broad and deep impact across various sectors [2] - The investment landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with major players like Oracle investing heavily in AI technologies [8]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is transitioning from a growth driver for technology stocks to a disruptor in traditional financial services, impacting market expectations for wealth management firms globally [1] - Major wealth management and brokerage stocks have experienced significant declines as investors assess the implications of new AI tools that automate tasks previously performed by human advisors [1] Stock Performance - The Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) has decreased by 10.9%, LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) by 13.8%, and Raymond James Financial Inc. (RJF) by 8.8% in recent trading days [2] - Other firms such as Lazard and Stifel Financial have also seen declines of nearly 4% and 4.9%, respectively, while banks with substantial wealth management exposure, including JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BAC), and Wells Fargo, have dropped more than 4% [2] Trigger for Stock Selloff - The stock market reaction was initiated by the launch of an AI-powered tax planning tool by U.S. fintech startup Altruist, which is integrated into its Hazel platform [3] - This tool can process client data to generate personalized tax strategies and financial insights that previously required extensive manual work from advisors [3] Investor Concerns - Investors view the AI tool as a potential threat to traditional revenue streams in wealth advisory, particularly in fee-based services like tax planning and portfolio strategy [4] - The ability to commoditize and scale complex financial advice rapidly raises concerns about the erosion of fee margins and business models for existing firms [4] Shift in Market Focus - The market's focus has shifted from beneficiaries of the AI boom to those who might be displaced by it, affecting asset management and private capital firms [5][6] - Executives from firms like Blackstone and Apollo Global Management have attempted to reassure stakeholders that AI is unlikely to undermine their businesses, but skepticism remains prevalent [6] Reassessment of Risks - The initial optimism surrounding AI is evolving into a reassessment of risks, as investors consider the potential for AI to compress margins and alter business models [7] - The recent selloff in wealth management stocks signifies a turning point in how investors perceive AI risk within financial services [8] Implications for Wealth Management - The declines in shares of firms like Schwab, LPL Financial, and Raymond James reflect fears that AI could diminish advisory fees and disrupt established operating models [8][9] - While it is too early to label AI as an existential threat to human-led wealth advice, the rapid advancement of tools like Altruist's Hazel platform necessitates a reevaluation of defensible areas within the value chain [10] - Success for incumbents will likely hinge on the effective integration of AI into client service, compliance, and portfolio construction, where trust and judgment remain essential [10]

Core Insights - LPL Financial LLC has welcomed financial advisors Curt Pederson and Britt Saylor from Sound Wealth, who manage approximately $420 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets [1][2] Group 1: Company Overview - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. is one of the fastest-growing wealth management firms in the U.S., supporting over 32,000 financial advisors and approximately 1,200 financial institutions [6] - The firm services and custodies around $2.4 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets for approximately 8 million Americans [6] - LPL offers a variety of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools, and practice management services, allowing advisors to choose the business model and technology resources they need [6] Group 2: Advisor Background - Pederson and Saylor have a combined experience of 40 years and are based in Seattle and Phoenix [2] - The team specializes in serving high-net-worth individuals, families, and multigenerational households with complex financial planning needs, including inheritance planning and advanced executive compensation planning [2] Group 3: Reasons for Transition - Sound Wealth chose LPL for its support of a highly customized service model, open architecture, and commitment to innovation, including advancements in AI and expanded investment solutions [3][4] - The advisors were impressed by LPL's leadership in technology and the flexibility to tailor strategies uniquely for each client [4]