While the over-hyped Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) IPO has proved to be mostly lackluster, it still looks like KKR is gunning for an IPO (hey, Blackstone's valuation is still at nosebleed levels).

According to a report in TheDeal.com [a paid service], KKR has initiated the process of becoming a broker dealer. This means the firm will be able to buy and sell securities (and generate commissions on the transactions).

Keep in mind that Blackstone has had this license for a long time because of its advisory business.

But, the license allows for other lucrative businesses, such as IPOs (where the fees have remained juicy). No doubt, it's been good to such financial powerhouses like Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS).

So, at the end of the day, we may actually see KKR and Blackstone become like the other diversified financial players. And, at the same time, the traditional financial firms will try to look more like Blackstone and KKR.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including the Complete M&A Handbook and the EDGAR-Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements.