RIAcast

On this episode, RIAcast is joined by four Chief Investment Officers who have been participating for several years in a roundtable with regular meetings in which they openly share ideas and discuss and troubleshoot issues relating to their respective businesses.  RIAcast gets to be a "fly-on-the-wall" on this first of two episodes. It is our privilege to be joined by: Christine McDermott, Avalon Trust Justin Pawl, Covenant Multi-Family Offices Leia Carpenter, Adell, Harriman & Carpenter Tim Hartzell of Sequent Asset Management In this episode, we discuss, among other things: The biggest benefits of participating in a roundtable Their most significant takeaways from the roundtable Their level of interaction with clients Their favorite part of the CIO role The role of benchmarks Investing rules they never break

On this first episode of a planned RIAcast Transition Success Series, featuring Fidelity, we speak with Gary Decker, RIA Wealth Alliance Advisory Group's President and CEO as well as Fidelity Vice President Andy Burgess. Gary and Andy discuss their successful collaboration after Gary and his colleague's breakaway from a traditional brokerage firm. Gary and Andy discuss with Matt, among other things: The impetus for Gary's going independent * How Gary worked through the challenges of going from an employee to a business owner * How Andy walks advisors through the process after they decide to breakaway from a traditional brokerage firm * The biggest challenges Gary faced in his transition * Gary's advice for advisors considering going independent * Andy's take on how breaking away has changed for advisors facing non-Protocol transitions.

This special edition episode of RIAcast was prompted by Morgan Stanley's departure from the Protocol this past Friday, November 3, 2017.  Morgan Stanley's Protocol exit has caused considerable buzz and debate in the industry.   In this episode, Matt provides an overview of some of the salient legal considerations for advisors facing non-Protocol transitions.  Successful non-Protocol transitions are common, when handled appropriately.  The content contained in this episode is meant for informational purposes, should not be relied on, and should not be construed as legal, investment or tax advice.  This podcast may be considered ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

On RIAcast's 15th episode, we speak with Trust Company of America (TCA) CEO Josh Pace.  TCA is an independent RIA custodian. Josh and Matt discuss, among other things: TCA's consultative approach * its MMX initiative * TCA's use of data to advise its clients * the biggest challenges facing custodians * what the next generation of advisors is going to look like * Josh's non-profit Bicycles for Humanity

On this episode, Matt chats with Brian McLaughlin, CEO and Founder of Redtail Technology. Redtail has the largest RIA market share for client relationship management solutions delivered on a web-based platform. Brian and Matt discuss, among other things: the founding of Redtail * Redtail’s mantra of “create raving fans” * Favorite war stories of RIAs successfully using CRM * How advisors can better use data * New initiatives at Redtail that Brian is most excited about * Brian's passion for weather and planes.

On this episode, we speak with Richard Kemmling, President of Ashland Partners, an accounting firm that provides due diligence solutions to the financial services industry.  Ashland Partners is the largest provider of Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) verification services. Richard and Matt discuss, among other things: Richard's background * His vision as Ashland Partners’ President * The increasing demand for GIPS compliance * Performance composites * GIPS marketing standards * Common mistakes by breakaways and performance documentation * Richard's passion for scouting.

On this episode, Matt chats with Ed O’Brien, CEO of eMoney Advisor. Ed and Matt discuss, among other things: Ed's background in fintech * His vision as eMoney’s CEO * The greatest challenges currently facing eMoney * eMoney’s launch of its enterprise division * Where Ed sees digital advice in 5 years * His passion for National Parks

On this episode, Matt chats with Ed O’Brien, CEO of eMoney Advisor. Ed and Matt discuss, among other things: Ed's background in fintech * His vision as eMoney’s CEO * The greatest challenges currently facing eMoney * eMoney’s launch of its enterprise division * Where Ed sees digital advice in 5 years * His passion for National Parks

On this episode, Matt chats with Wes Stillman, founder of RightSize Solutions, a cloud-based technology solution company servicing the wealth management industry. This episode provides tons of insight for RIAs to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity issues. Wes and Matt discuss, among other things: The most significant cybersecurity threats facing RIAs * How firms can test their technology security * Best practices to avoid smartphone vulnerabilities * Backup strategies * The most common cybersecurity mistakes being made by RIAs * The most exciting advancements in cybersecurity

On this episode, we have an insightful conversation with Bill Van Law, President of Raymond James’ Investment Advisors Division. Bill and Matt discuss, among other things: Bill's vision as President of Raymond James’ Investment Advisors Division * The top bases for existing RIAs transitioning custodians to Raymond James * Common thinking in the investment advisor space that Bill thinks is wrong * Bill’s general advice to breakaway advisors * How RIAs can compete with wirehouses providing significant transition packages * Bill's passion for aviation

On this episode, we have an engaging conversation with Gino DeRango, Managing Director of Institutional Sales at TD Ameritrade Institutional. Gino and Matt discuss, among other things: Gino’s leadership role at TD Ameritrade * RIAs and fee flexibility * Gino’s favorite aspect of working with investment advisers * Growth vs. retention of clients * A memorable recruiting war story * What advisers should focus on more * and Gino's broken record advice to breakaway brokers.

On this episode, we gain insight into Dynasty Financial Partners through our conversation with its CEO and Co-Founder, Shirl Penney. Among other topics, Shirl and Matt discuss: Dynasty's service model * Shirl’s predictions about a Trump administration’s impact on the RIA space * Why Dynasty offers its employees equity * The biggest challenges facing Dynasty * What the best advisors are doing differently * Shirl’s charitable passions and interest in thoroughbred racing

In this episode, we have an in-depth conversation with David Canter, Executive Vice President and Head of the Practice Management & Consulting Group at Fidelity Clearing & Custody.  David provides invaluable practice management insights useful for any RIA. Among other topics, David and Matt chat about: David's primary vision for Fidelity’s Practice Management and Consulting Group * David's view that the industry is headed toward concentration * How investment advisers can increase referrals * What good first steps RIAs can take towards succession planning * Fidelity’s “Mystery Shopping” initiative.

On this episode, we have an entertaining and insightful chat with Evan Roth, co-founder and co-Managing Partner of BBR Partners.  In August of this year, Barron's ranked BBR Partners as the #6 Independent Advisory Firm.  BBR Partners currently serves more than 120 clients and over $11.5 billion in assets under management. Among other topics, Evan and Matt discuss: The idea behind starting BBR Partners * How BBR grew to its large size * BBR as a Manager of Managers * Evan’s favorite aspect of advising clients * His podcast, Breaking the Mold * As a native Kentuckian, Evan's favorite bourbon.

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Bob Oros.  For almost 5 years, Bob has served as the Executive Vice President, Head of the RIA Segment for Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions. Among other things, Bob addresses: His general vision for Fidelity in the RIA space * What the most successful investment advisers are doing differently * Fidelity’s new Automated Managed Platform (AMP) * The biggest challenges facing custodians * What the investment advisor industry should be doing better * Where he sees Fidelity’s RIA presence in 5 years

In this episode, we speak with veteran financial services industry recruiter Mindy Diamond of Diamond Consultants. Mindy discusses, among other things: *Best Business Life *How she approaches difficult clients * Placing financial advisors today versus 10 years ago * Transitional mistakes in thinking she commonly encounters * How the Department of Labor Conflict of Interest Rule will impact adviser movement * The most rewarding event of her career

In this episode, we have a lively chat with Raj Udeshi, the co-founder of HiddenLevers, a cloud-based software company that provides a client facing stress testing platform. Among other things, Raj discusses: HiddenLevers’ Mission * Fee attribution and stress testing * His opinion of the Department of Labor's Conflict of Interest Rule * How the Rule has affected his business * The greatest difficulties HiddenLevers is currently facing

For the broker contemplating breaking away from brokerage and "going RIA," this episode is one you don't want to miss. Matt actively counsels clients on transitions from one firm to another and has advised and assisted over 75 clients in connection with their transitions.  Through that experience, Matt developed several principles that, if adhered to, assist in limiting risk. In this episode, Matt addresses 7 rules for the breakaway broker to be cognizant of in preparing for a transition.

In our inaugural episode, we sit down for an in-depth discussion with Andrew Cooper, co-founder and co-Managing Partner of A.J. Wealth.  For the past two years in a row, FA Magazine named A.J. Wealth a Top 10 Fastest Growing RIA Firm. This episode is packed with best practices for existing investment advisers as well as aspiring ones. In this episode, among other things, Andrew discusses: A.J. Wealth's genesis * The "secret" to A.J. Wealth's rapid growth * How A.J. Wealth keeps up with its growth * Family office best practices * Business development * The best advice he received in the investment adviser space