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The growth was driven by the firm's new fee model as well as the move to open up the platform to work with any CRM an advisor may be using.

Ex-Wells Fargo broker Perry Mattern said the freedom to access better technology was the draw to leave the brokerage and join the bank's new RIA business, and he was willing to leave $50 million behind at the brokerage to get it.

It's the first deal HighTower has done since Bob Oros became CEO.

A combination of cash, earnings from sellers and leverage has primed the independent firm for deals in this year.