Cetera Partners With Small Business Investment Bank Cornerstone

Core Insights - Cetera Financial has partnered with Cornerstone Business Services to enhance its service offerings for financial advisors, focusing on small business valuations and sales [2][7] - This partnership aims to help advisors engage with small business owner clients well before any sale occurs, thereby providing a competitive edge in attracting talent [2][3] - The move is part of Cetera's broader strategy to diversify its services, which includes recent collaborations with Wealth.com and the introduction of alternative investment model portfolios [2] Group 1: Partnership and Services - Cetera Financial has integrated Cornerstone Business Services into its offerings, targeting family and privately-held companies [2] - The partnership is designed to assist advisors in discussions regarding valuations and sales for small business clients [2][7] - Cetera aims to leverage Cornerstone's expertise to align sales processes with investment advice and tax and estate services [7] Group 2: Industry Trends - Access to small business merger and acquisition services is increasingly sought after by advisors looking to differentiate their practices [3] - Other firms, such as Merchant Investment Management and RightCapital, are also enhancing their service capabilities for small business owners [3][4] - RISR and Capitaliz are examples of startups focusing on platforms and analytics to support financial advisors in engaging with small businesses [6]