The Fed raised rates today: first hike since 2023. Target range: 3.75%–4.00%. Unanimous vote. Driven by oil prices spiking on Middle East conflict, not the usual playbook. One more hike is likely before year-end.
Translation: the “rates are heading lower” story your clients got comfortable with just flipped. Expect calls this week.
Markets had priced in the hike, but stocks slipped during the press conference once the Fed signaled more tightening ahead. If your book leans toward retirees drawing income, get ahead of that conversation before they call you.
Meanwhile in the RIA world
M&A is at a record pace, and the SEC is watching. Its 2026 exam priorities specifically flag M&A integration risk: mismatched custodians, tech stacks, and fee schedules.
Regulation S-P deadlines have landed. Smaller RIAs now need a documented incident response plan and vendor management program: not a someday project.
Here’s the real issue: none of this grows your AUM directly, not client calls, portfolio reviews, compliance paperwork, or incident response plans. But it’s all mandatory.
The RIAs pulling ahead aren’t the ones with the smartest models. They’re the ones with real operational support: someone who owns the paperwork and compliance work so the owner can spend the day gathering assets and deepening client relationships instead of chasing signature pages.
If “hire more support” is still on your someday list, this week is a good nudge to move it up.
Sources: Federal Reserve (Sept. 16, 2026); InvestmentNews; RimonLaw/AdvisorLaw on Reg S-P.