ADVERTORIAL
IFG Rolls Out a Long-Term Growth Strategy Built to Scale
NDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP( IFG) HAS ESTABLISHED A STRONG legacy of growth over its 22 years in operation. Headquartered in San Diego, CA the firm consistently ranks among the top independent broker-dealers in Financial Advisor Magazine’ s annual industry review. In 2025, IFG secured the # 15 spot nationally based on gross revenue- a notable achievement in a crowded field.
With a network of 650 independent financial professionals operating out of more than 400 offices across the United States, IFG continues to refine its successful model. What drives this impressive performance? Why are so many advisors choosing IFG as their preferred broker-dealer? To answer these questions, Financial Advisor Magazine sat down with Kevin M. Keefe, CFA, President and Chief Operating Officer.
FA: IFG has seen strong growth over the past 22 years. What factors have contributed to your firm’ s impressive expansion?
Keefe: I think the firm’ s growth over these 22, almost 23 years has really hinged on a couple of key factors. One is the firm’ s deep commitment to this idea of authentic independence for the advisors that affiliate here. And the other factor is a really unique and strong sense of community. Our highly collaborative, family oriented culture at this firm has really attracted advisors over time that are looking for more than just a place to conduct transactions.
We’ re now the second largest privately held independent broker dealer- and we’ re truly authentically independent. There are no motives here at the corporate level. We’ re not pushing any products or platforms that are good for us and perhaps neutral or not as good for clients. We’ re working in the client’ s best interest and the rep’ s best interest and trying to provide them a platform and experience that has amazing service and support and gives them the breadth of products and solutions to do a great job locally. I think it’ s really about commitment to authentic independence and a really unique community of folks that have driven growth here.
FA: What features or advantages make IFG a compelling choice for advisors aiming to build and scale their practices?
Keefe: From our perspective, we think there are some essential ingredients for advisors that really want to grow. First, I think advisors who are looking to grow are really trying to deliver exceptional client service and an exceptional local client experience. And I think second, an advisor having the freedom to use whatever solutions or products that allow them to differentiate in their local markets. Third, I think being part of a community of high performing peers that they can learn from, that they can collaborate with, that they can be a part of is really important to driving growth.
Those three essential ingredients over my 30 plus years in the industry when combined really help an advisor grow. And this firm was built with
Kevin Keefe CFA, President and Chief Operating Officer Independent Fiancial Group
those exact ingredients in mind long before I was part of this organization. Unlike the giant firms in our industry today where advisors get lost in the crowd and also feel highly constrained by bureaucracy, we provide a high touch relationship-oriented experience that feels bespoke to each advisor that works with us. Advisors at IFG aren’ t pushed into a corporate box. Instead, they really get empowered with a wide range of solutions. Plus they have access to senior management when and if they need us to get something done for them in the moment.
FA: Is there a particular profile of advisor or RIA that tends to be especially well-suited to partnering with IFG?
Keefe: IFG tends to resonate most strongly with accomplished entrepreneurial advisors who value autonomy and are motivated by genuine relationships with their clients, with their teams, and with their peers. The average production per advisor at IFG right now is close to $ 600,000 in annual revenue per year, one of the highest in the industry. And I think that’ s important. Those advisors that seem to really find this place to be a great home, appreciate and thrive in this family-oriented, supportive community. The advisors that fit well here are looking to accelerate growth but want to maintain a really unique approach to serving their clients. And I’ d also say we are really proud to be one of the most inclusive firms in the IBD space.
In fact, IFG ranked number three in the industry now in terms of highest percentage of advisors who are female that are affiliated with the firm. And I think that speaks to the kind of inclusive culture that IFG has built, welcoming, empowering, and really flexible for a wide range of accomplished and successful advisors.
FA: How is advisor compensation structured within IFG’ s platform?
Keefe: Most everything we deliver is unique to each individual advisor’ s practice that’ s part of our community. But our compensation structure is deliberately straightforward, it’ s very transparent, and I would suggest highly competitive. Advisors here enjoy generous payouts that reward their entrepreneurial efforts. And as they grow, it gets more lucrative for them. We’ re committed to clarity on the economics, there’ s no surprises or hidden fees. And we’ re regularly consulting with our advisors to make sure our overall compensation structure remains aligned with their goals and with their success. As they get bigger and generate more revenue, the structure is such that they get rewarded for that.
FA: Can you elaborate on the suite of products, services, and technology solutions IFG provides to support advisors?
Keefe: IFG provides a comprehensive product and solution platform. We emphasize quality over quantity. And again, there’ s no corporate bias on which platforms or solutions we want or we’ d like our affiliated advisors to use. It’ s really about what’ s best for them and for their clients.
SEPTEMBER 2025 | FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE | 25