LPLA vs FCNCA Comparison

LPL Financial is the largest US independent broker/dealer, with more than 32,000 financial advisors, roughly 11 million customer accounts, and roughly $2.4 trillion in client assets under management or advisory affiliated with its platform at the end of 2025. The firm earns the bulk of its profit from interest income earned on client cash balances and from advisory fees, commissions, and asset-based fees. LPL specializes in providing turnkey wealth management services for affiliated independent advisors, but maintains a diverse array of affiliation modalities, running the gamut from more traditional employee models to a pure RIA custody approach. It earns tuck-in revenue from recordkeeping fees and the provision of software tools and services to its advisor base.

First Citizens is a US regional bank with total assets of around $237 billion as of June 30, 2026. Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, First Citizens' largest markets are North Carolina, South Carolina, and California. The bank has a track record of acquiring troubled banks from the FDIC, such as Silicon Valley Bridge Bank in 2023, which doubled its asset base. First Citizens offers products and services across retail, commercial, wealth management, and railcar leasing. In 2025, First Citizens derived over 95% of its earnings from banking and less than 5% from railcar leasing.