State market data

Wealth management firms in North Carolina

As of October 2, 2026, 633 wealth management firms, including broker-dealer firms, based in North Carolina reported $228.5 billion in regulatory assets under management; the largest by assets was Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc., with $43.0 billion.

Showing all wealth firms, including wirehouses and broker-dealer firms. Independent RIAs only

Wealth management firms: 633
SEC-registered: 232
State-registered: 401
Regulatory assets under management: $228.5 billion
Client accounts: 605,454
Median firm size: $63.0 million
Of which broker-dealer affiliated: 25, with $94.2 billion

North Carolina has not adopted IAR continuing education. Status from NASAA's IAR CE map, checked October 5, 2026. IAR CE in North Carolina.

Top firms in North Carolina

Largest wealth firms by assets under management, including broker-dealer firms

Largest wealth firms by assets under management, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	RAUM
1	Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	$43.0 billion
2	Alight Financial Advisors, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	$35.1 billion
3	Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC	Charlotte	$17.2 billion
4	Bragg Financial Advisors Inc	Charlotte	$4.7 billion
5	Franklin Street Advisors Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Chapel Hill	$4.5 billion
6	Salem Investment Counselors Inc	Winston Salem	$4.2 billion
7	Biltmore Family Office, LLC	Charlotte	$3.5 billion
8	Colony Family Offices, LLC	Charlotte	$3.4 billion
9	Smith Salley Wealth Management	Greensboro	$2.9 billion
10	Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC	Raleigh	$2.7 billion

Top 100 in North Carolina

Fastest-growing wealth firms over one year, including broker-dealer firms

Fastest-growing wealth firms over one year, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Growth	Starting value
1	First Citizens Asset Management, Inc Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	178.5%	$167.0 million
2	Strathmore Capital Advisors	Charlotte	76.6%	$455.9 million
3	Sapere Wealth Management, LLC	Matthews	74.7%	$346.2 million
4	Fortress Private Ledger, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	68.7%	$346.1 million
5	Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC	Asheville	63.3%	$444.0 million
6	Crown Wealth Group LLC	Charlotte	58.7%	$316.5 million
7	Strategic Advisory Partners	Greensboro	54.1%	$124.3 million
8	Integrated Wealthcare, LLC	Durham	50.6%	$144.9 million
9	Beacon Capital Advisory Group	Charlotte	47.3%	$151.7 million
10	Blue Financial	Charlotte	44.5%	$100.4 million

Top 100 in North Carolina

Fastest-growing wealth firms over three years, including broker-dealer firms

Fastest-growing wealth firms over three years, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Growth	Starting value
1	Fortress Private Ledger, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	60.3%	$141.7 million
2	Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc.	Wilmington	41.7%	$141.9 million
3	Tradewinds, LLC	Raleigh	39.6%	$242.5 million
4	Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC	Asheville	36.9%	$282.3 million
5	Verum Partners LLC	Charlotte	36.5%	$398.9 million
6	Crown Wealth Group LLC	Charlotte	35.1%	$203.7 million
7	Family Wealth Partners, LLC	Matthews	35.0%	$159.4 million
8	Lifeplan Group	Raleigh	34.9%	$132.8 million
9	Strathmore Capital Advisors	Charlotte	32.9%	$342.7 million
10	Cornerstone Wealth	Huntersville	30.5%	$1.1 billion

Top 100 in North Carolina

Fastest-growing wealth firms over five years, including broker-dealer firms

Fastest-growing wealth firms over five years, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Growth	Starting value
1	Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC	Raleigh	79.0%	$149.4 million
2	Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	48.7%	$5.9 billion
3	Crown Wealth Group LLC	Charlotte	35.1%	$111.5 million
4	First Citizens Asset Management, Inc Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	33.5%	$109.8 million
5	IP Financial Advisory Services LLC	Charlotte	33.2%	$114.7 million
6	Verum Partners LLC	Charlotte	31.2%	$260.5 million
7	Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC	Asheville	30.9%	$188.9 million
8	Cornerstone Wealth Planning	Charlotte	29.0%	$135.9 million
9	Raleigh Capital Management Inc.	Cary	27.5%	$117.9 million
10	Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc.	Wilmington	27.0%	$122.0 million

Top 100 in North Carolina

Wealth firms with the biggest asset gains over one year, including broker-dealer firms

Wealth firms with the biggest asset gains over one year, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Increase
1	Alight Financial Advisors, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	$4.2 billion
2	Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC	Charlotte	$3.2 billion
3	Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	$2.2 billion
4	Blueprint Financial Advisors Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	$1.2 billion
5	Bragg Financial Advisors Inc	Charlotte	$766.8 million
6	Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC	Raleigh	$691.7 million
7	Alphastar Capital Management	Cornelius	$655.0 million
8	Franklin Street Advisors Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Chapel Hill	$600.1 million
9	Smith Salley Wealth Management	Greensboro	$549.3 million
10	First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	$527.3 million

Top 100 in North Carolina

Wealth firms with the most clients, including broker-dealer firms

Wealth firms with the most clients, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Most clients
1	Alight Financial Advisors, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	195,957
2	Ally Invest Advisors Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	83,199
3	Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC	Charlotte	45,535
4	Credit Union Investment Services Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	45,113
5	Planvision, LLC	Fuquay-Varina	14,740
6	Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	12,219
7	Alphastar Capital Management	Cornelius	8,553
8	First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	7,645
9	Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	6,493
10	Verity Asset Management	Durham	5,843

Top 100 in North Carolina

Wealth firms with the fastest client growth over one year, including broker-dealer firms

Wealth firms with the fastest client growth over one year, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Growth	Starting value
1	First Citizens Asset Management, Inc Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	209.0%	409
2	Planvision, LLC	Fuquay-Varina	132.7%	6,334
3	Physicians Financial Services, Inc.	Raleigh	98.2%	222
4	Blueprint Financial Advisors Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	79.5%	1,298
5	Strathmore Capital Advisors	Charlotte	74.0%	288
6	Gragg Financial	Shelby	45.3%	450
7	Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC	Cary	44.4%	187
8	Colton Groome Financial Advisors, LLC	Asheville	41.6%	327
9	Fortress Private Ledger, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	41.2%	510
10	Whitener Capital Management, Inc	Rocky Mount	40.7%	605

Top 100 in North Carolina

Wealth firms with the most accounts, including broker-dealer firms

Wealth firms with the most accounts, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Most accounts
1	Alight Financial Advisors, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	195,957
2	Ally Invest Advisors Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	79,536
3	Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC	Charlotte	45,002
4	Alphastar Capital Management	Cornelius	15,795
5	Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	12,213
6	Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	9,862
7	First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	7,645
8	Verity Asset Management	Durham	7,603
9	Linden Thomas Advisory Services, LLC	Charlotte	7,111
10	Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC	Raleigh	5,387

Top 100 in North Carolina

Wealth firms with the most advisory staff, including broker-dealer firms

Wealth firms with the most advisory staff, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Most advisory staff
1	Credit Union Investment Services Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	254
2	Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC	Charlotte	247
3	First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	164
4	Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	143
5	Alphastar Capital Management	Cornelius	130
6	IP Financial Advisory Services LLC	Charlotte	112
7	Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	87
8	Alight Financial Advisors, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	60
9	Verity Asset Management	Durham	54
10	Cornerstone Wealth	Huntersville	50

Top 100 in North Carolina

Wealth firms with the most high net worth clients, including broker-dealer firms

Wealth firms with the most high net worth clients, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Most high net worth clients
1	Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC	Charlotte	15,578
2	Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Charlotte	11,004
3	Planvision, LLC	Fuquay-Varina	5,100
4	Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	766
5	Bragg Financial Advisors Inc	Charlotte	743
6	Founders Financial Alliance, LLC	Raleigh	711
7	Smith Salley Wealth Management	Greensboro	683
8	First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	645
9	Colony Family Offices, LLC	Charlotte	631
10	Salem Investment Counselors Inc	Winston Salem	601

Top 100 in North Carolina

Wealth firms with the most CFP professionals, including broker-dealer firms

Wealth firms with the most CFP professionals, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Most CFP professionals
1	Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC	Charlotte	73
2	First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	48
3	Credit Union Investment Services Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	30
4	Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC Broker-dealer affiliated: A wealth firm that is, or is part of, a broker-dealer or a bank: a wirehouse, a broker-dealer or its advisory arm, or a bank's. It appears in the all wealth firms view, not in the main lists of independent RIAs.	Raleigh	19
5	Financial Symmetry Inc.	Raleigh	14
6	Cornerstone Wealth	Huntersville	13
6	Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC	Raleigh	13
8	Alphastar Capital Management	Cornelius	12
9	Bragg Financial Advisors Inc	Charlotte	10
9	Novare Capital Management	Charlotte	10

Top 100 in North Carolina

Newest wealth firms, including broker-dealer firms

Newest wealth firms, including broker-dealer firms in North Carolina, top 10
Rank	Firm	City	Amount
1	Mauney-Pitt Financial Management, Inc.	Shelby	$418.0 million
2	Gibert Wealth Management	Charlotte	$316.0 million
3	Oak Harbor Wealth Partners	Raleigh	$288.4 million
4	Safebridge LLC	Denver	$205.3 million
5	BSG Advisers	Apex	$134.8 million
6	Kucharo Wealth	Charlotte	$123.7 million
7	Tolley Financial Group, LLC	Raleigh	$121.9 million
8	West Financial Strategies, Inc.	Sanford	$121.0 million
9	TRG Capital Management, Inc.	Raleigh	$118.2 million
10	Passport Wealth Management	Cornelius	$115.3 million

Top 100 in North Carolina

Over time

From the SEC's yearly files: SEC-registered wealth firms based in North Carolina, from October 2018, each snapshot classed from its own Form ADV answers.

FirmsSEC-registered wealth firms, including broker-dealer firms. 9 snapshots, October 1, 2018 to October 2, 2026.

Data table

Firms
As of	Firms
October 1, 2018	134
October 1, 2019	136
October 1, 2020	145
October 4, 2021	162
October 3, 2022	173
October 5, 2023	173
October 1, 2024	181
September 2, 2025	189
October 2, 2026	232

Regulatory assets under managementSEC-registered wealth firms, including broker-dealer firms. 9 snapshots, October 1, 2018 to October 2, 2026.

Data table

Regulatory assets under management
As of	Regulatory assets under management
October 1, 2018	$77.8 billion
October 1, 2019	$82.4 billion
October 1, 2020	$95.5 billion
October 4, 2021	$111.0 billion
October 3, 2022	$176.0 billion
October 5, 2023	$154.4 billion
October 1, 2024	$177.4 billion
September 2, 2025	$171.0 billion
October 2, 2026	$219.0 billion

Client accountsSEC-registered wealth firms, including broker-dealer firms. 9 snapshots, October 1, 2018 to October 2, 2026.

Data table

Client accounts
As of	Client accounts
October 1, 2018	343,437
October 1, 2019	391,615
October 1, 2020	411,516
October 4, 2021	476,193
October 3, 2022	530,558
October 5, 2023	569,952
October 1, 2024	564,144
September 2, 2025	499,537
October 2, 2026	572,319

Median firm size (RAUM)SEC-registered wealth firms, including broker-dealer firms. 9 snapshots, October 1, 2018 to October 2, 2026.

Data table

Median firm size (RAUM)
As of	Median firm size (RAUM)
October 1, 2018	$226.1 million
October 1, 2019	$229.6 million
October 1, 2020	$264.6 million
October 4, 2021	$273.1 million
October 3, 2022	$275.4 million
October 5, 2023	$268.5 million
October 1, 2024	$299.6 million
September 2, 2025	$312.1 million
October 2, 2026	$287.1 million

The market in North Carolina now

Headline figures

Headline figures, as of October 2, 2026
Measure	All wealth firms	SEC-registered	State-registered
Firms	633	232	401
Regulatory assets under management	$228.5 billion	$219.0 billion	$9.5 billion
Accounts	605,454	572,319	33,135
Clients	535,623	467,785	67,838
Employees	4,335	3,464	871
Advisory employees	2,975	2,210	765
Investment adviser representatives	3,361	2,619	742
Median RAUM	$63.0 million	$287.1 million	$19.5 million
Average RAUM	$417.0 million	$977.6 million	$29.4 million

Firms by size

Advisers grouped by regulatory assets under management.

Firms by size, as of October 2, 2026
Measure	All wealth firms	SEC-registered	State-registered
Firms under $100 million	320	4	316
RAUM of firms under $100 million	$8.9 billion	$206.1 million	$8.7 billion
Firms $100 million to $250 million	105	97	8
RAUM of firms $100 million to $250 million	$16.8 billion	$15.9 billion	$834.7 million
Firms $250 million to $500 million	57	57	0
RAUM of firms $250 million to $500 million	$20.9 billion	$20.9 billion	$0
Firms $500 million to $1 billion	27	27	0
RAUM of firms $500 million to $1 billion	$17.6 billion	$17.6 billion	$0
Firms $1 billion to $5 billion	36	36	0
RAUM of firms $1 billion to $5 billion	$69.1 billion	$69.1 billion	$0
Firms $5 billion to $10 billion	0	0	0
RAUM of firms $5 billion to $10 billion	$0	$0	$0
Firms $10 billion and up	3	3	0
RAUM of firms $10 billion and up	$95.3 billion	$95.3 billion	$0

Concentration

How much of the market the largest advisers hold.

Concentration: all wealth firmsAs of October 2, 2026.
Measure	Bar	Value
Top 10 share of RAUM		53.0%
Top 100 share of RAUM		85.9%

Concentration, as of October 2, 2026
Measure	All wealth firms	SEC-registered	State-registered
Top 10 share of RAUM	53.0%	55.3%	10.8%
Top 100 share of RAUM	85.9%	89.6%	69.7%

How advisers are paid

Share of advisers reporting each form of compensation on Form ADV Item 5.E. A firm can report several.

How advisers are paid: all wealth firmsAs of October 2, 2026.
Measure	Bar	Value
Charge a percentage of assets		91.6%
Charge hourly fees		53.7%
Charge subscription fees		0.9%
Charge fixed fees		66.4%
Receive commissions		2.7%
Charge performance-based fees		3.6%
Other compensation		7.1%

How advisers are paid, as of October 2, 2026
Measure	All wealth firms	SEC-registered	State-registered
Charge a percentage of assets	91.6%	95.7%	89.3%
Charge hourly fees	53.7%	54.7%	53.1%
Charge subscription fees	0.9%	0.4%	1.2%
Charge fixed fees	66.4%	73.3%	62.3%
Receive commissions	2.7%	2.2%	3.0%
Charge performance-based fees	3.6%	2.6%	4.2%
Other compensation	7.1%	8.2%	6.5%

Custody

Advisers reporting custody of client cash or securities on Form ADV Item 9.

Custody, as of October 2, 2026
Measure	All wealth firms	SEC-registered	State-registered
Have custody	27.3%	56.0%	10.7%

Broker-dealer and other affiliations

From Form ADV Items 6 and 7.

Broker-dealer and other affiliations, as of October 2, 2026
Measure	All wealth firms	SEC-registered	State-registered
Broker-dealer affiliated	4.6%	9.5%	1.7%

New firms and successions

New registrations and firms reporting that they succeeded to another adviser's business (Form ADV Item 4).

New firms and successions, as of October 2, 2026
Measure	All wealth firms	SEC-registered	State-registered
New registrations	71	23	48
Successions	No data	0	No data

Other measures

Other measures, as of October 2, 2026
Measure	All wealth firms	SEC-registered	State-registered
Firms reporting RAUM	548	224	324
Discretionary RAUM	$217.0 billion	$208.5 billion	$8.5 billion
CFP professionals	809	615	194
25th percentile RAUM	$13.9 million	$165.9 million	$6.9 million
75th percentile RAUM	$210.9 million	$619.5 million	$47.1 million
90th percentile RAUM	$624.7 million	$1.4 billion	$75.4 million
Average account size	$377,396	$382,611	$287,322
Offer financial planning	83.3%	92.2%	78.1%
RAUM growth, one year	No data	28.0%	No data

As of October 2, 2026. Definitions of every measure are on the methodology page.

Cities

Charlotte 120 independent RIAs, $51.0 billion
Raleigh 75 independent RIAs, $18.9 billion
Winston Salem 22 independent RIAs, $10.0 billion
Chapel Hill 28 independent RIAs, $8.8 billion
Greensboro 28 independent RIAs, $7.3 billion
Durham 32 independent RIAs, $3.9 billion
Cornelius 7 independent RIAs, $3.6 billion
Asheville 15 independent RIAs, $3.1 billion
Huntersville 12 independent RIAs, $3.0 billion
Wilmington 23 independent RIAs, $2.7 billion
Concord 7 independent RIAs, $1.6 billion
Matthews 10 independent RIAs, $1.5 billion
Greenville 5 independent RIAs, $1.5 billion
Cary 22 independent RIAs, $1.4 billion
Southern Pines 6 independent RIAs, $743.2 million
Mooresville 9 independent RIAs, $674.2 million
Apex 8 independent RIAs, $578.4 million
Pinehurst 5 independent RIAs, $498.1 million
Fuquay-Varina 6 independent RIAs, $455.5 million
Statesville 6 independent RIAs, $213.7 million

Cities with at least five independent RIAs.

Data as of October 2, 2026, from Form ADV. Sources: SEC registered adviser data (ia100226.zip) and IAPD compilation reports. How the directory is built.