Schwab Study Finds 70% of Independent Advisors Expect Referrals to Drive Growth

• Schwab's 2026 Independent Advisor Outlook Study found 64% of registered investment advisors rank fiduciary status as their top benefit.
• Client referrals are expected to drive growth over three years for 70% of advisors; 60% cite exceptional service.
• AI integration to improve workflows draws investment from 49% of advisors; 66% plan to use AI to support, not replace, personal relationships.
• Private market investments are offered by 37% of RIAs; another 13% plan to add them within three years.
• AI regulation and guidance lead advocacy priorities at 38%; 68% favor clear, easy-to-understand AI standards.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. The Charles Schwab Corporation published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 202610290900BIZWIRE_USPR_____20261029_BW648839) on October 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.