Plus Boosting Valuations For A Sale; Impressions From MarketCounsel Summit; A New Management Consultancy Launches; Our Monthly Roundup Of M&A, People Moves, Partnerships And Recruiting; And Is Crypto The Solution To Liquidity Problems?
To My Fellow WSR Community Members:
The greatest building block of civilization is education. From the Shang dynasty histories derived from tortoise shell engravings to the clocks of GPS satellites adjusting for Einstein’s relativity – humanity both depends on and improves through learning.
Education is the enabling factor for every professional in our industry. We are drawn to the industry by early educational experiences, then we achieve degrees, licensing and certifications, often followed by continuing education. In addition, we constantly learn via PowerPoint presentations, roundtables, conferences and media platforms like this one.
This week we cover the evolution of wealth management education from two significant angles – children’s financial education and specialized certifications for advisors – discussing the benefits and potential of newly developed learning tools.
We also bring you my thoughts from the recently concluded MarketCounsel Summit, the latest in M&A, advisor recruiting, partnerships, promotions and appointments in this month’s roundup, as well as five keys to boosting your firm’s valuation before a sale, the newest wealth management consultancy and the rebirth of crypto.
This Week’s Issue
Here’s what we have on tap this week:
- What are some of the industry’s final major moves of 2022? To find out, read the Transitions, Transactions & Promotions column in our Newsmakers & Roundups section. We explore LPL Financial recruiting Delaware-based Financial House from Lincoln Financial, Mercer Advisors acquiring the $5 billion California-based firm Regis Management Company, SageView Advisory Group acquiring Colorado-based Horsetooth Financial and much more.
- Where is the sure bet in Sin City? Also in Newsmakers & Roundups, we recap takeaways from the MarketCounsel Summit held last week in Las Vegas. The annual RIA-focused event is hosted by the business and regulatory compliance consultancy founded by Brian Hamburger, who also gave opening remarks. Presenters delved into everything from technological innovations, to improving the client experience while scaling up, to succession planning and M&A.
- Why should advisors obtain specialized certifications? In Upmarket, we hear from Nate Geraci, Co-Founder of The ETF Institute, and Aaron Filbeck, Managing Director and Head of UniFi by CAIA, as each tells us the top three benefits to advisors of specialized educational certifications, and how advisors can select the right ones to serve their clients.
- How can you boost your firm’s valuation ahead of a sale? Also in Upmarket, Bill Van Law, the founder of wealth management consultancy WVL Group, gives five keys to boosting a firm’s valuation in preparation for a sale or succession, the value of being a business rather than a practice, who’s experiencing growth currently and the overlooked advantages of organic growth.
- Is educating kids good for business? In the Digital Domain, wealthtech firm Bento Engine recently launched a financial education program for the children of advisors’ clients. Bento’s CEO, Philipp Hecker, discusses the new program, the benefits of financial education for client retention and prospecting, and how children’s financial education can increase equity and inclusion.
- Is crypto dead or just beginning? In Investment Solutions & Gatekeepers, Reema Tandon, Co-Founder and COO of Yoonify, tells us that the recent FTX downfall and shakeout in cryptoassets could be setting the stage for greater things, such as the tokenization of alternative assets on the blockchain to provide previously untapped liquidity.
- Did M&A just revive? DeVoe & Company reports a turnaround from the sharp drop in M&A activity for October and November, as Founder and CEO David DeVoe explains the rebound and causes for the drop, and gives predictions for January and beyond in Capital Connections.
- Did the Fed kill the American Dream? Also in Investment Solutions & Gatekeepers, Ashley Bete, CIO, CEO and Founder of Leap Analytics, a firm that empowers underserved communities, discusses the damper rising mortgage rates have placed on homebuyers and sellers and the possible solution for some – home equity agreements.
What’s the newest management consultancy? In case you missed it last week, in Newsmakers & Roundups, LPL Financial veteran and three-decade industry leader Andy Kalbaugh launched Cassique Strategies, a management consultancy firm for the wealth management space. A frequent public speaker, Kalbaugh will serve as Founder and Managing Director of the new firm.
Send us your thoughts, suggestions and questions on this week’s topics and other themes you’d like us to explore.
Thank you for sharing our insights and coverage via email and social media, including LinkedIn!
Have a great week!
Cheers!
Larry Roth, CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
