Episode 11

Planning Ahead: Creating a Smooth Transition

In the second part of his conversation with host Matt Baum, Jeff Nash, CEO and Co-Founder of Bridgemark Strategies, shares the due diligence all advisors should undertake to ensure their clients will be supported both during and after a sale. He also counsels on the value of hiring top legal counsel for corporate transactions – and why they are more than worth the price.

He additionally reveals his trademarked “three Fs” that advisors should assess before moving to a new firm, as well as offers tips for career success to advisors just embarking on the profession.

Episode 10

Planning Ahead: The Valuation Equation

The advisory industry has been trending towards high valuations. Are those likely to stick around?

Jeff Nash, CEO and Co-Founder of Bridgemark Strategies, answers that and more during this conversation, the first in a two-part series with host Matt Baum.

Jeff shares an in-depth look at the factors that go into valuing an advisory practice, how EBITDA plays into the equation, and why private equity is so interested in the advisory space. Jeff also breaks down the components that go into his PRICE acronym, which he uses to provide clarity around the components that drive the price of a deal.

This episode is a must-listen for any advisor considering making a move in the industry, be it selling, merging or retiring.

Episode 9

Cross-Examination: Jodi Perry, National Head of Advisor Recruiting at Raymond James

What's the secret to successfully recruiting advisors? Understanding that moving from one firm to another is probably one of the most stressful things that an advisor can go through.

That’s what Jodi Perry, National Head of Advisor Recruiting at Raymond James, tells host Matt Baum in this episode.

Jodi, who blazed a trail 20 years ago as the first female recruiter at her firm, discusses how and why she made the move to create her current position at Raymond James and the strategic initiatives she’s looking to implement for the firm. She also offers advice for women interested in working in financial services and shares insights on how to be a good recruiter.

Episode 8

Executive Insights: Succeeding as a COO at an RIA Firm

How can a chief operating officer be most impactful at a registered investment advisor firm?

In this episode, host Matt Baum chats with Matt Sonnen, COO of Coldstream Wealth Management. They discuss what it means to be a COO in an RIA firm, building trust with leadership and crafting both the right company culture and streamlined operational processes for long-term success.

Episode 7

“Cross-Examination” of Marc Cohen, Executive VP of LPL Financial (Part 2)

On this episode, we have Part 2 of our “cross-examination” of Marc Cohen, an Executive Vice President at LPL Financial.  In our conversation, Marc builds on his outstanding insights that we heard in Part 1 and discusses:

• How firms keep up with ever changing technology
• What the industry could be doing better to attract younger talent into the industry
• Independent firms and FA training
• Legal issues Marc is seeing impacting on the industry
• The best business advice Marc received and more…

Episode 6

"Cross-Examination" of Marc Cohen, Executive VP of LPL Financial (Part 1)

On this episode, we have Part 1 of our “cross-examination” of Marc Cohen.  Marc is an Executive Vice President at LPL Financial.  In our conversation, we discuss:

• How Marc’s role at LPL has changed since he started in 2018
• LPL's different affiliation models
• Advice Marc would give to advisors frustrated at their current firm
• How advisors can navigate all of the different broker-dealer/RIA models available in the marketplace
• Marc’s opinion on the biggest challenges facing the industry
• Marc’s observations on the significant M&A activity that has occurred

Episode 5

"Cross-Examination" of Advisor Recruiter, Louis Diamond of Diamond Consultants (Part 2)

On this episode, we continue our “cross-examination” of Louis Diamond, President of Diamond Consultants.  In our conversation, we discuss:

• Recruiting challenges facing terminated advisors
• How Diamond Consultants started in podcasting
• Top motivations of advisors contemplating transitions
• If Louis was a financial advisor, what type of firm he would seek
• What firms are offering the biggest monetary deals and how they’re being structured
• Diamond Consultants involvement in M&A work

Episode 4

"Cross-Examination" of Advisor Recruiter Louis Diamond, President of Diamond Consultants (Part 1)

On this episode, we have Part 1 of our “cross-examination” of Louis Diamond.  Louis is the President of Diamond Consultants, a well-known financial advisor recruiting firm.  In our conversation, we discuss:

• Louis’ training for his first marathon
• How Diamond Consultants works with advisors
• Louis’ favorite aspect of recruiting
• His least favorite part of recruiting
• The most complicated deal he ever worked on
• Legal issues that most frequently occur in his recruiting efforts
• Louis’ opinion on the difference in transition success observed in Protocol vs. non-Protocol moves

Episode 3

Trick Question: Who Owns the Client Data, the Firm or the Advisor?

In this episode, Matt discusses client data "ownership." In connection with transitions, it is important to understand who "owns" the data and what client information can actually be taken upon departure.

Episode 2

Spoiler Alert: You're Getting (Another) 8210 Request

In this episode, Matt walks through FINRA Rule 8210, the rough equivalent of FINRA's subpoena power over Member firms and registered persons. Matt discusses the various steps involved in addressing an 8210 request as well as a practical overview of some of the considerations in responding to one.

Episode 1

Hot Take: FINRA's First Reg BI Enforcement Settlement

In this episode, Matt provides his hot take on FINRA's first Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) Enforcement settlement. Is this settlement a game changer? What can we glean from this settlement as to how excessive trading cases under Reg BI will be treated going forward?