Independent Financial Partners (IFP), a Tampa-based hybrid RIA, has recruited two advisory teams that previously operated under Commonwealth Financial Network, adding roughly $400 million in combined client assets. The moves come as LPL Financial's acquisition of Commonwealth, completed in March 2025, continues to prompt advisor departures and reshuffle the independent broker-dealer landscape.
Van Horn Financial Services, led by Graham Van Horn in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Severn Financial Advisors, a husband-and-wife team run by Stephen and Carly James in Annapolis, Maryland, are the latest additions to IFP's platform. They join three other Commonwealth teams that have moved to IFP since the start of 2026, bringing the firm's total new assets under advisement this year to approximately $2.4 billion.
For the Jameses, the decision to join IFP was driven by more than just financial terms. "What differentiated IFP was the people," Carly James said. "They were transparent, accessible, and genuinely invested in helping us succeed." The couple, who co-founded Severn Financial Advisors, cited IFP's collaborative culture and operational support as key factors in their choice.
Graham Van Horn, president of Van Horn Financial Services, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the appeal of IFP's hybrid model, which allows advisors to operate as both registered investment advisors and broker-dealer representatives. "IFP's hybrid model gave us confidence we could preserve what makes our firm unique while gaining capabilities," he said. His practice has served Midwest clients for years, and the move allows it to maintain its independent identity while accessing IFP's back-office infrastructure.
The additions bring IFP's total advisor count to 288 across 37 states, with total assets under advisement exceeding $21 billion. IFP, which is affiliated with LPL Financial, has positioned itself as a destination for advisors seeking scale and support without sacrificing autonomy. The firm's growth reflects a broader trend of advisors moving between platforms as consolidation in the independent channel accelerates.
Chris Hamm, CEO and president of IFP, noted that the nature of advisor recruitment conversations has evolved. "Conversations today are less about economics and more about partnership," he said, adding that advisors are increasingly weighing long-term cultural alignment alongside compensation when choosing a home. Bill Hamm, executive chairman, said the two newest teams "represent the type of advisors we're proud to partner with."
The moves are part of a wider wave of advisor transitions. For example, Raymond James and LPL have traded advisors as $940 million in assets shifted platforms, while other firms like Summit Financial and Savvy Advisors have added $1.07 billion in new RIA partnerships. The competition for top talent remains intense, with firms offering flexible models and cultural fit as differentiators.
IFP's growth strategy appears to be paying off, as it continues to attract experienced teams from larger networks. The firm's hybrid structure, which combines RIA and broker-dealer capabilities, is particularly appealing to advisors who want to retain their brand while gaining access to compliance, technology, and other resources. As LPL integrates Commonwealth, more advisors may follow the path taken by Van Horn and Severn, seeking partners that offer both stability and independence.
