RIA Edge

Economic uncertainty, heightened volatility and on-again, off-again trade policies are challenging for investors. But similar to the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, fiduciary advisors can use this opportunity to assert their value and give clients confidence that their broader financial plans aren't as negatively impacted as they may think, given the daily doom-and-gloom market headlines. … Read More Read More

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, join host David Armstrong for an insightful conversation with Susie Cranston, president and COO of Cresset, as they explore how the firm rapidly scaled to $65 billion.  David and Susie discuss: How Cresset grew out of a family office for the founders, and how the firm defines … Read More Read More

How can a firm truly put families first in wealth management? Join host David Armstrong as he interviews Chris Erblich, co-founder of TFO Family Office Partners. Chris shares the origin story and evolution of TFO's three distinct but interconnected entities: a full-service multifamily office in Phoenix, a wealth management firm in Ohio and a South … Read More Read More

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong chats with Andrew Leonard, founder and partner at Geometric Wealth Advisors, about how the firm has rapidly grown to over $1 billion in AUM since Leonard founded it by catering to a specific client niche: executives working inside large consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, … Read More Read More

What makes a financial advisory firm truly sustainable in the competitive world of wealth management? Join David Armstrong as he engages with Mark DeLotto, partner and corporate development officer at Simon Quick Advisors, on the firm's distinctive growth journey and his roadmap for future growth. Mark offers insights into cultivating a culture of broad ownership, … Read More Read More

Snowden Lane entered 2025 on a high note. The firm had an active recruiting year, expanding its national footprint and posting record profitability and revenue with approximately $12 billion in AUM.  Yet the highlight for CEO Robert Mooney was the decision to buy back a significant portion of the firm's equity from its original financial … Read More Read More

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong interviews Grant Rawdin, founder and CEO of Wescott Financial Advisory Group, which manages $4 billion in AUM. Grant shares the story of founding his firm in 1987 as an offshoot of a law firm, his passion for client advocacy, and how the firm grew … Read More Read More

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong interviews David Hefty, founder and CEO of $3.4 billion AUM Credent Wealth Management. Hefty narrowly escaped pursuing a career trading commodities on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, and instead started an independent wealth management firm shortly after college. But it wasn't … Read More Read More

David Armstrong talks with Jim Gold, CEO of Steward Partners, about the firm's growth trajectory. Steward Partners, originally founded by wirehouse breakaways, has cultivated a unique approach by tapping experienced advisors with the independence of RIAs. With over $40 billion in assets, Jim shares insights into their robust M&A strategy and the importance of succession … Read More Read More

In this episode, host David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, sits down with Michael Nathanson, CEO of Focus Financial Partners, to discuss Focus' pulling out of the public markets in favor of private equity partners, their recent rebranding and the team's hub consolidation strategy.  Michael … Read More Read More

Live at the recent MarketCounsell Summit in Las Vegas, David Armstrong chats with Andree Mohr, president of Integrated Partners, a unique advisory platform assisting entrepreneurial advisors in scaling their businesses through strategic CPA partnerships.  Mohr covers Integrated's origin story and the dynamics of integrating wealth management services into accounting firms. The discussion highlights the importance … Read More Read More

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director at Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, speaks with Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group. The conversation took place live during Schwab's recent IMPACT Conference in San Francisco.  Jennifer was recently appointed head of the $14 billion AUM firm, though she is … Read More Read More

Recorded live at the Schwab Impact Conference in San Francisco, David Armstrong, editorial director at Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, sits down with Michael Goodman, founder, and leader of RIA Wealthstream Advisors, an RIA Edge 100 firm, to explore how he thinks about sustainable growth and client service in wealth management.  They delve into Goodman's … Read More Read More

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director at Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, sits down with Dick Pfister, founder of AlphaCore Wealth Advisory, to explore his firm's investment approach that places alternatives at the core of the service offering. Dick discusses his early days bringing alternatives to advisors with his … Read More Read More

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director at Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, sits down with Jalina Kerr, managing director of client experience for Schwab Advisor Services. Jalina talks about Schwab's approach to enhancing the advisor experience, including the group's work on technology integrations, changes made in the wake of … Read More Read More

Ken Stern's journey with Lido Advisors started almost a decade ago with a chance meeting at a family office conference. His initial connection with Lido's founders quickly evolved into a shared vision of providing unmatched client service and scaling a national brand. In some ways, the Lido story is a bit different among RIAs—instead of … Read More Read More

Learn how independent financial advisors can drive growth and streamline operations while maintaining their autonomy as David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, speaks with Nate Lenz, CEO & co-founder at Concurrent. They explore talent development, organic growth strategies and the unique model Concurrent uses to allow advisors to thrive while maintaining … Read More Read More

Schwab's Lisa Salvi shares insights from the firm's annual benchmarking report, revealing how top-performing RIAs are driving significant organic growth amidst industry challenges.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Lisa Salvi, managing director of advisor services at Schwab, about the firm's … Read More Read More

Michael Conway shares how advisors at his firm, Conway Wealth, prioritize a deep understanding of each client's values and puts health and well-being at the center of the planning conversation.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Michael Conway, founder and CEO … Read More Read More

Helium founder and partner Howard Morin explains the benefits of bridging financial planning with deep tax expertise. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Howard Morin, founder and partner at Helium Advisors, about integrating tax planning into the center of wealth management … Read More Read More

President and CEO Phillip Hamman of Linscomb Wealth on how his firm outpaced market growth with a laser focus on client satisfaction. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Phillip Hamman, president and CEO of Linscomb Wealth, about the firm's comprehensive financial … Read More Read More

WEG CEO Jeff Dekko shares his company's approach to staffing models, strategic decision-making, and the significance of organic growth in the financial advisory industry. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Jeff Dekko, CEO of Wealth Enhancement Group, about the firm's history … Read More Read More

Marshberry's director of financial advisory services on how advisors navigate their growth trajectories. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, and John Orsini, director, of financial advisory services, at MarshBerry, discuss the recent RIA Edge research study detailing how firms are navigating their growth … Read More Read More

Brandon Kawal reflects on the RIA M&A shift from gold rush mentality to an institutional arms race. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Brandon Kawal, partner at Advisor Growth Strategies, about remaining buoyant in the M&A market despite the challenges of … Read More Read More

Foster's firm, Angeles Wealth Management, has a 40% compound growth rate without tapping the M&A markets by fostering a “culture of storytellers.” In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Jon Foster, president and CEO of Angeles Wealth, a firm that caters to … Read More Read More

Savant CEO and founder Brent Brodeski shares his playbook of success through M&A as a means to fill service gaps and to expand his service model across 15 states, with national ambitions.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Brent Brodeski, CEO … Read More Read More

An early architect of Joe Duran's United Capital, and a former Goldman Sachs PFM exec, Mike Capelle and his partners secured $200 million to build a national RIA with a vision of bringing all a client's planning needs—tax, insurance, estate planning—under one roof. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director … Read More Read More

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Craig Robson, founder of Regent Peak Wealth Advisors, about why, after 25 years at Merrill Lynch, he ventured into independent practice where, over the past five years, he's built a growing practice catering to wealth … Read More Read More

Growth-minded RIAs often look to bring new services to clients. Research from WMIQ and Marshberry shows widely different motivations and approaches—and sometimes elevated expectations for the impact on firm value. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, talks … Read More Read More

The seasoned RIA executive has penned a nearly 100-page whitepaper sketching a bleak but compelling future for the wealth management industry.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Mark Hurley, founder of Fiduciary Network who heads the cybersecurity firm Digital Privacy & … Read More Read More

Wealthspire Advisors' Mike LaMena on the secret to building a national RIA with a single identity that still empowers advisors to bring their “personal brand” and credibility to local communities and niche markets. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Mike LaMena, … Read More Read More

Dan Seder shares Blue Chip Partners' unique approach to managing human capital and building a growth engine inside a $1 billion AUM firm.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, talks with Dan Seder, managing partner with Blue … Read More Read More

Marshberry's Rob Madore shares strategies for growth, succession and the recent shift in how RIAs are approaching mergers and acquisitions. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, talks with Rob Madore, vice president of financial services for MarshBerry, … Read More Read More

Ryan Parker, CEO of EP Wealth, sheds light on the firm's intentional M&A strategy and what it means for the company's development. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, talks with Ryan Parker, CEO of EP Wealth, on … Read More Read More

Lisa Salvi shares how successful firms leverage a comprehensive approach to long-term success. In this episode, David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, talks with Lisa Salvi, Managing Director, Advisor Services, Charles Schwab, about Schwab's RIA Benchmarking Study that highlights industry performance and where advisory firms … Read More Read More

Jonathan Hirtle, founder and chairman of Hirtle, Callaghan & Co., has been called the “Oracle of Outsource” by Pension & Investments magazine for his work pioneering the “outsourced chief investment officer” business model for families and institutions.  Here, Hirtle speaks with Wealth Management's David Armstrong about the opportunity he saw to start the firm 35 … Read More Read More

Snowden Lane Partners: A calibrated blend of autonomy and support.  In this episode, David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, talks with Alison Burkett, head of enterprise development at Snowden Lane Partners, about the firm's approach to growth: A carefully calibrated blend of autonomy and support. … Read More Read More

This episode of the RIA Edge podcast features a conversation between David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, and Molly Bennard, the CEO of Connectus Wealth Advisers. Connectus Wealth is a Focus Financial Partners-owned firm, but, unlike others inside that network, it acts more like a … Read More Read More

Uncover the latest trends shaping the M&A sphere in 2023, driving strategic decisions and future success. In this RIA Edge episode, Mark Bruno, managing director of the wealth management group at Informa talks with Catherine Williams, head of practice management at Dimensional Fund Advisors, about the changes in the M&A landscape and the noticeable shifts … Read More Read More

This era in wealth management has seen unparalleled growth opportunity. Lido Advisors has embraced this golden age of shifting demographics and technological advancements to be one of the fastest growing and successful firms in the industry.  In this episode of the RIA Edge podcast, Mark Bruno, managing director of the wealth management group at Informa, and … Read More Read More

This episode of the RIA Edge podcast features a conversation between Mark Bruno, Managing Director of Wealth Management Group at Informa, and Arthur Ambarik, CEO of Perigon Wealth Management. The discussion delves into  Perigon''s unique position and model within the RIA channel, as well as the  primary contributors to its impressive growth trajectory. Arthur shares … Read More Read More

Following a remarkable period of M&A activity in the RIA industry, one of the star bankers in the industry has made the leap from leading deals to leading one of the largest RIAs in wealth management.   In this special episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host Mark Bruno, the Managing Director of the Wealth Management … Continue reading RIA Edge Podcast: Cresset's Liz Nesvold: From Deal-Maker to RIA Gamechanger →

Building an RIA firm that can successfully attract, retain and develop top talent – and ultimately become the “RIA of choice” in a specific market — is no easy feat. But one firm, Halbert Hargrove, for years has been building bridges from G1, to G2 and even G3 talent. In the process the firm's experiences … Continue reading RIA Edge Podcast: Halbert Hargrove's JC Abusaid: Building the ‘RIA of Choice' →

While the M&A activity levels at the start of 2023 slowed somewhat, there have been several notable developments during the first half of the year that will shape M&A and valuations over the remainder of 2023 – and beyond.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, Jessica Polito, Founder of investment bank Turkey Hill … Continue reading RIA Edge Podcast: RIA M&A Mid-Year Update with Jessica Polito →

This episode of the RIA Edge podcast provides advisors with a view into the trends that are influencing and impacting growth across the RIA landscape.  Specifically, industry veteran Tom Bradley, Managing Director at Schwab Advisor Services, and Informa's Mark Bruno provide benchmarks for growth rates and a high-level view of the “levers” that top firms … Continue reading RIA Edge Podcast: Schwab's Tom Bradley: RIA Megatrends – The Drivers of Current & Future Growth →

While the need for financial advice – and the ability to access advice – has never been greater, most advisors still have not been able to capitalize on the growing number of opportunities.  According to Steve Sanduski, advisor coach, CFP, New York Times Best-Selling Author and founder of the Sanduski Advisor Network, suggests that while … Continue reading RIA Edge Podcast: It's a Bull Market for Advice: But is it a Bull Market for Advisors? With Steve Sanduski →

While there have been hundreds of M&A transactions in the RIA channel in recent years, Focus Financial was one of the first strategic acquirers in the industry more than a decade ago – and has since grown into one of the largest and most influential firms in the wealth management business.  In this episode of … Continue reading RIA Edge Podcast: Focus Financial's Rajini Kodialam: The Evolution of RIA M&A →

While markets may be in bear territory, it's a bull market for financial advice – as more individuals need access to professional advice than ever before.  How can RIAs effectively take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime growth opportunity to acquire new clients and deepen relationships with existing clients? Megan Carpenter, the CEO and Founder of FiComm … Continue reading RIA Edge Podcast: Embracing the Marketer's Mindset: Megan Carpenter's Playbook for RIAs to Drive Meaningful Growth →

While scores of RIAs continue to experience growth, despite headwinds in the markets and economy, some firms are growing more strategically than others – and this strategic growth is exponentially more valuable according to Jeff Vivacqua, President of Growth & Development at Cambridge Investment Research. In this episode of the RIA Edge podcast, Mark Bruno, … Continue reading The RIA Edge Podcast: The Difference Between Good and Great Growth: Cambridge Inc.'s Jeff Vivacqua →

RMB Capital has become one of the largest and most successful RIA firms in the wealth management industry – with its own, at times, under-the-radar approach to growth. A strategic approach to M&A, organic growth and management of all things capital has fueled the firm's success over the years, landing RMB on the inaugural RIA … Continue reading The RIA Edge Podcast: An Inside Look at an RIA Edge 100 Firm: RMB Capital's Don Bechter →

With heightened market volatility and uncertainty significantly impacting client portfolios over the last year, RIAs have been leaning more on alternative investments to present their clients with new sources of return, income and downside protection.  In this episode of RIA Edge, David Levi, Managing Partner at Brookfield and Head of Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions, shares … Continue reading RIA Edge Podcast: The Rise of Alternatives in the RIA Channel: Brookfield's David Levi →