Plus My M&A Quarterly Review, The Latest Recruitment News And People Moves, Risk Analysis, Conflicts Of Interest In M&A, The Banking Crisis And Keeping Clients Organized
To My Fellow WSR Community Members:
WSR is recognizing leaders across many professional backgrounds and spaces of the wealth management industry, and has to this point recognized top CFOs, investment solutions platform leaders and boutique financial advisor recruiting firms. This week we add a new group to that list – the IMAGE 10: Top 10 Wealth Management Marketing & Communications Agencies.
As a media platform, we interact often with these behind-the-scenes heroes who spend long hours multitasking as they helm the information network that transmits data about industry happenings and views of veteran leaders so we can bring those to you, the WSR Community.
This week, we shine a spotlight on them by recognizing the top 10 marketing and communications firms serving the wealth management industry and interviewing three firm founders and CEOs to provide you a glimpse into their world.
In addition, I present my latest thoughts on M&A, we bring you the latest in recruitment news, we cancel Bizarre Industry Bazaar, take a look at risk analysis, examine conflicts of interest with M&A consultants, review the banking crisis’ effects on our industry, as well as bring you Atria’s Harvard move, COMPLY’s new CMO and views on how to keep clients financially organized.
This Week’s Issue
In our Wallet Share section, we have several articles this week in recognition of the top marketing and communications firms in the industry:
- After much review and research on the most influential and industry-recognized marketing and communications firms serving wealth management, we present the IMAGE 10: Top 10 Wealth Management Marketing & Communications Agencies.
- We talk with Jennifer Connelly, Founder & CEO of JConnelly, on strategies for success and the uniqueness of financial services communications. She also gives advice for persons entering marketing and communications as a career.
- We speak with Joseph Kuo, CEO & Founder of Haven Tower Group, on the keys to success in wealth management communications, including a focus on and expertise in the industry, building an effective team by avoiding toxic personalities while hiring the right leadership team, and ensuring clients enjoy constant access to senior professionals.
- We interview April Rudin, Founder & CEO of The Rudin Group, discussing the convergence of technology, Next Gen and wealth management, her inspiration, entrepreneurship and the excitement of working in the marketing and communications space.
In addition to the IMAGE 10, this week we also bring you:
- Who’s our newest Recruiter Of The Month? In Newsmakers & Roundups, we speak with Mario Ramos, CEO of Adviser Investments. In something of a twist, this latest profile focuses on a successful M&A dealmaker instead of our usual focus on advisory teams switching firms. This week’s roundup also covers activity involving Atria Wealth Solutions, Commonwealth Financial Network, Merit Financial Advisors, Concurrent Investment Advisors, Integrated Partners and EP Wealth Advisors.
- What if we centered our thinking on risk rather than asset class? In Investment Solutions & Gatekeepers, Marco Della Torre, CEO of Venn by Two Sigma, shares why the traditional asset allocation model can create an illusion of diversification, how risk factor analysis works and the benefits of risk factor analysis to advisors and professionals in portfolio and investment decisions.
- Due to reader feedback, we are cancelling our Bizarre Industry Bazaar monthly column. No one will miss it more than our James Miller, who told me writing this column is the highlight of his month. James says goodbye – not to WSR, but to the readers of the column he loved so much – in his usual sardonic, nihilistic sense of humor.
In case you missed it, last week we brought you:
- Which firm racked up two big partnerships within a week? In Newsmakers & Roundups, CUSO Financial Services (CFS), a broker-dealer subsidiary of Atria Wealth Solutions focused on the credit union wealth management space, announced a multi-year partnership with Harvard University Employees Credit Union, which serves the Ivy League institution’s more than 52,000 members and manages over $1 billion in client assets. Atria had just announced a similar deal for CFS with Mobiloil Credit Union.
- What does regional bank turmoil have to do with RIAs? In Upmarket, our roundtable explores how the chaos creates opportunity for RIAs and independent advisors. We gather insights from Harry Grand, a Partner and Head of the New York Office at Angeles Wealth Management; Stan Gregor, CEO at Summit Financial; and Jared Chase, Director of M&A and Business Development at Signature Estate and Investment Advisors.
- How can wealth management firms make the most of M&A amid volatile macro headwinds? In Capital Connections, my M&A quarterly review explores 2023 deal flow, the impact of private equity, as well as buyer and seller best practices for closing deals. I also spotlight insights from industry experts WSR has featured on the topic, including David DeVoe, Founder and CEO of DeVoe & Company; Bomy Hagopian, Partner at Berkshire Global Advisors; Jodie Papike, President of Cross-Search; and others.
- How do you navigate conflicts of interest with M&A consultants? In Upmarket, Scott Leak, Director of Business Development and Senior Consultant at FP Transitions, says that conflicts of interest are normal, but as sellers, advisors must ask potential consultants and investment bankers the right questions, understand the process and stay alert for red flags.
- Who’s the newest CMO in regtech? In the Digital Domain, regtech firm COMPLY adds Gayle Nixon as CMO to its unified leadership team formed in November to carry out strategic growth initiatives across its four subsidiaries. CEO Amy Kadomatsu and Chief Growth Officer Nate Remmes comment.
We also bring you Sponsor Partner Content. Patty Quinn McAuley, a CFP-holder and Head of Marketing at Clark Capital Management Group, explains how advisors can help clients stay financially organized. She suggests using a segmented or bucket approach to income planning, incorporating personal benchmarks to help clients stay focused on their needs, and considering UMAs and model portfolios to stay organized and focused.
Let us know your thoughts on these articles, questions for experts and anything else that’s on your mind.
We keep you up to date on LinkedIn, and you can share ideas and take part in the conversation there!
Have a great week!
Cheers!
Larry Roth, CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
