Why wealth management M&A is unlikely to dry up amid volatility
Corey Kupfer, founder and managing partner at Kupfer., explains how a downturn in private equity M&A can negatively impact firms with Dan Shaw at Financial Planning. “If they want a sale to a larger PE firm or to bring in a PE firm to take them out, and if the cost of capital remains high, they are going to have trouble raising funding. So they may want to hold on for a bit, or they may do a continuation of their fund” says Kupfer.
To read more…
RIA Dealmaking Is Off to a Hot Start for 2025. Can the Frenzy Last?
Corey Kupfer, founder and managing partner at Kupfer., shares insights on RIA M&A activity during times of uncertainty with Barron’s reporter Andrew Welsch. “Sellers would be more hesitant to make major changes and transition clients in a recession, plus access to capital would eventually be adversely impacted,” says Kupfer.
To read more…
A Record Breaking First Quarter for 2025 Merger and Acquisition Activity
Corey Kupfer, founder and managing partner at Kupfer., was featured in The Wealth Advisor, sharing his perspective on the future of RIA M&A activity amid ongoing market volatility and economic uncertainty. “If a recession hits, sellers will likely be more reluctant to transition their businesses, and access to acquisition financing would tighten,” explains Kupfer.
To read more…
Costly referral programs fuel RIA M&A growth strategies
With growth driving many RIAs to pursue external sales, client referral programs continue gaining traction, despite their high costs. Corey Kupfer, managing partner and founder of Kupfer., PLLC, spoke with InvestmentNews' Andrew Cohen to share his take on the value these programs deliver to RIAs and how they influence M&A valuation considerations.
Click here to read more
How the industry's mixed signals point to further consolidation
Corey Kupfer, founder and managing partner at Kupfer., PLLC speaks with Financial Planning’s Tobias Salinger about how the lack of preparedness in succession planning throughout the industry is pointing to continued M&A. “Those in the independent RIA space have had a mindset shift from being employees to being entrepreneurs. There is an additional mindset shift to also being a dealmaker. The dealmaker mindset is different from the entrepreneur mindset. Saying that you don’t have time to finalize a deal is evidence of not having a dealmaker mindset. Dealmakers make the time, build the team and allocate the resources to get deals done,” says Kupfer.
To keep reading click here
The Climate Tech Landscape and Meeting Energy Demand in the U.S.
Vincent Ambrose, Chief Commercial Officer of FranklinWH and Brian Meegan, Partner at Kupfer, join Jill Malandrino on Nasdaq TradeTalks to discuss the climate tech landscape and meeting energy demand in the U.S., and how this could impact the energy M&A environment.
To read more click here
Personal goodwill is opening up M&A for employee advisors
Bankers and lawyers are using personal goodwill sales to help W-2 and 1099 advisors monetize their practices at capital gains tax rates rather than ordinary income.
To read more click here
Why advisors should prioritize next-gen planning
Advisors are making a succession planning list and checking it twice.
After all, “succession planning is a huge deal,” said Ryan Halliday, managing partner at Crewe Advisors.
“One of the things the SEC investigates in their examinations [of firms] is what your succession plan is. We have a fiduciary responsibility to take care of the clients of the firm, and part of that is making sure there's a succession plan in place,” he said.
“It’s important that you build your firm, or as you're managing your book of business, you’re considering the qualities and the capabilities of people.”
To read more click here
The Evolution of Advisor M&A Deals: What to Know Now
If you are an advisor looking to monetize your firm or book of business, you are belle of the ball — and it’s become a big ball. Take your time to get aligned and understand your options, but don’t forget that there is a pace and a rhythm to the dance.
If you want to become a serial acquirer, you have tough competition from private equity-backed buyers, so you need to have a strong value proposition. That means a model and deal structure that are attractive to the sellers who have objectives other than getting top dollar for their firms.
To read more click HERE
In Search Of The Perfect Deal
Is there such a thing as a perfect merger or acquisition deal or exit strategy? Maybe, according to Corey Kupfer, managing partner at Kupfer Law, a law firm based in New York and Denver that helps RIAs and entrepreneurs with complex legal issues.
The answer to the first part of that question depends on a number of factors, including the goals of the merging firm owner, Kupfer said in an interview.
Studies have shown that the majority of mergers and acquisitions fail in the current market, at the same time that the financial consequences are becoming more substantial. Kupfer provides guidance to firms and advisors who are looking to make a move so they can avoid mistakes.
To read more click HERE
What's at Stake in the Ameriprise-LPL Fight Over Client Data
A series of recruiting disputes between Ameriprise Financial Services and LPL Financial could help clarify what client data advisors are allowed to take, and the client contact they're allowed to make, when switching firms.
In a spate of recent lawsuits, Ameriprise accuses LPL of encouraging recruits to breach industry rules and abscond with the firm's client data, while LPL counters that a "bleeding" Ameriprise aims to use litigation over client information to stifle industry competition.
To read more click HERE
ThinkAdvisor: Fidelity: RIA Deal Size Rises, Volume Eases in 2024
"Corey Kupfer, founder and managing partner at Kupfer PLLC, a law firm that represents RIAs in M&A deals, noted that non-private equity buyers have various strategies to compete for transactions with PE firms that can offer more money.
"For some of them it's more independence and flexibility in terms of the control that the advisor can maintain over their practice," he said.
Some offer advisors more capabilities or more say in the company's management, direction and growth.
One family firm also sells its "Midwest values" and culture, Kupfer noted."
To read more click HERE
Corey Kupfer Talks RIA Transitions in Financial Advisor IQ Article
Our very own Corey Kupfer was recently featured in an in-depth article by writer Brianna Monsanto in Financial Advisor IQ. The article, aptly named "Considering Jumping Ship from One RIA to Another? Here's How To Ensure Smooth Sailing," delves into the fluid dynamics of the wealth management sector. As the industry witnesses an uptick in advisors debating changes, the necessity to grasp the finer points of such transitions begins to grow.
COREY KUPFER ON RIA TRANSITIONS
With years of experience in navigating the complexities of wealth management, Corey underscores the importance of staying on top of industry shifts. This is particularly important when it comes to M&A activities, and the continuous influx of private equity investments into the sector.
In Monsanto's insightful article, Corey highlights the need for a clear distinction between the intended goals and the actual outcomes of business transactions. While independent RIAs often initiate deals with their employees' best interests at heart, the end results may not always align with these initial aims.
MONSANTO CAPTURES THE RIA INDUSTRY FLAWLESSLY
For professionals at the junction of making a career change or for those intrigued by the intricate workings of the RIA landscape, Monsanto's article serves as an invaluable guide. It maps out the numerous complexities, challenges, and considerations that come with such professional shifts.
Be sure to check out the Financial Advisor IQ article: https://www.financialadvisoriq.com/c/4152344/534334/considering_jumping_ship_from_another_here_ensure_smooth_sailing?referrer_module=issueHeadline
Father and son breakaway team 'poke the bear' by suing Merrill Lynch upon exit
Father and son financial advisors have filed a lawsuit against Merrill Lynch as part of a one-two punch that began with them breaking away and taking their clients and assets with them.
Michael and Philip Bradshaw petitioned the U.S. District Court Southern District of California on Jan. 24 for a declarative judgment to effectively block any attempt by Merrill Lynch to seek an injunction in state court.
The same day, they also filed an arbitration claim with FINRA – the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority – over the substance of their dispute. It involves a series of restrictions Merrill imposes on brokers who try to leave the firm.
To keep reading head here: https://riabiz.com/a/2023/3/1/father-and-son-breakaway-team-poke-the-bear-by-suing-merrill-lynch-upon-exit-a-risky-move-experts-claim-but-potentially-a-brilliant-out-of-the-box-approach-to-keep-their-clients
Kupfer Named Finalist in the Prestigious Wealth Management Industry Awards for DealQuest Podcast
Kupfer, LLP, a leading law firm in the wealth management industry is thrilled to announce that it has been chosen as a finalist in Wealth Management's Industry Awards, affectionately known as "The Wealthies," in recognition of its innovative DealQuest Podcast special series, "M&A Talk with Leading RIA Aggregators and Integrators.”
WealthManagement.com will honor the firms, individuals, and organizations making an exceptional impact in supporting financial advisor success at its 9th annual Industry Awards this coming September. The winners. – chosen across 92 categories – are selected by an independent panel of judges. The awards will be presented at a black-tie gala on September 7 at the iconic Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.The firm's nomination comes in the wake of a highly competitive selection process, with finalists being chosen from over 1,000 entries submitted by 413 companies. Kupfer founding principal, Corey Kupfer stated: “Frankly, although we are often encouraged to do so, we don’t apply for many awards as we stay focused on serving our clients. We have been impressed by what WealthManagement.com built over these last 9 years, however, and are thrilled to have been chosen as a finalist our first time applying.
The DealQuest Podcast, hosted by Corey Kupfer, leading RIA attorney, strategist, negotiator and deal-maker provides a platform for insightful discussions and thought leadership in the realm of mergers, acquisitions, and other types of deals. The nominated special series "M&A Talk with Leading RIA Aggregators and Integrators" offered invaluable insights from the CEOs and top executives of some of the most active acquirers in the industry into the strategic aspects of M&A activity, the different models available to advisors and the state of the deal market, contributing significantly to the advancement of industry knowledge and expertise.
Kupferes extends its gratitude to WealthManagement.com for this prestigious nomination and looks forward to the upcoming awards ceremony in September.
To view the full list of finalists, please visit HERE.
About Kupfer
Kupfer, LLP is a leading law firm assisting breakaway brokers to transition to independence, creating new independent RIA firms, supporting those firms to grow including through M&A, and working with them on succession and exit. The firm is led by Corey Kupfer, an experienced strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional experience. Kupfer is dedicated to assisting businesses and financial advisors in achieving their full potential through innovative strategies and solutions.
DEALQUEST PODCAST – Claire O’Keefe
M&A Talk with Leading RIA Aggregators and Integrators:
Claire O’Keefe of Cerity Partners
Claire O'Keefe with an impressive resume in the wealth management industry is a Partner and the Head of Partner Development in Cerity Partners’ Chicago office; she also serves as a member of the company’s Executive Committee. Prior to her roles at Cerity Partners, Claire held leadership positions at two wealth management firms, where she was responsible for:
Strategic planning
Client Development
Advisory services to affluent individuals, business owners, executives, and nonprofit organizations.
Claire is a strong advocate for philanthropy and prides herself in being involved with many charitable organizations as well as having served on the Henry Viscardi School Board of Trustees.
A PHILOSOPHY TO DOING MERGERS
Cerity Partners views themselves as a partner and not an aggregator thus believing in bringing together like-minded professionals to benefit colleagues and clients. Their vision is to build a global professional services firm for wealth management, both for workplace wealth management for executives and high-net-worth clients.
When considering potential new partners, they look for key areas of alignment, including but not limited to:
Culture
Target clientele
Value proposition
Business model
BUILDING A NATIONAL FOOTPRINT
In order to build a national footprint and brand recognition, the distinction of integrator or aggregator is important in terms of their growth, exit, and funding strategy. Cerity Partners is an integrated firm, meaning they have:
One brand
One technology stack
Equal payroll and benefits for all colleagues
Using this model ensures they are building a national footprint and brand recognition. When they acquire other firms, they integrate technology, data, and operations but do not force or accelerate integration, this in turn prioritizes a consistent colleague and client experience. The consumption of colleagues is a day-one priority, while technology integration can take longer as they make sure to map data and user requirements.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE PROPOSITION
Part of building recognition for your firm is having a mission, a vision, and a value proposition:
Mission: By having a solid mission, your firm and clients are aware of what you can do for their business, and exactly how you will achieve that for them.
Vision: Setting your vision is effectively the blueprint for how you want your firm to approach business and allows for you to set a clear mission.
Value Proposition: This is arguably the most important aspect to set in order to attract clients. Value proposition offers customers what distinguishes you from competitors.
With well over 800 colleagues and serving approximately 15,000 clients across 20 markets, Cerity Partners manages around $65 billion in assets. While these are very impressive numbers, Cerity Partners prioritizes forming relationships with remarkable people over the number of completed deals. This aligns with their mission, vision, and value proposition.
All of this combined allows Cerity Partners to be very attractive to specifically G2 advisors.
FACING A MARKET DOWNTURN
I’ve said many times, the variation of the market is one of the truths in business. We’ve discussed in the past of the importance to not rely solely on the market or the news cycle to dictate your deals. (For more: listen to Episode 220, “The Art of Balancing Market Conditions and Client Motivations in Deals.”)
For Cerity Partners, Claire emphasizes that they are looking for a full merger, and not partial investments. They allow partners to take equity as part of the merger and are flexible on the mix of cash and equity in the deal. Clerity remains transparent with the valuation structure and considers expenses that would be eliminated after the merger to increase the EBITDA and apply a multiple to it. They believe in the growth of opportunity in coming together.
Despite the market downturn, their firm's interest continues to be at an all-time high due to this approach to mergers. Cerity Partners continues to invest in the resources and infrastructure required to optimize their pillars and is quick with experimenting and changing things to continue growth.
For my full discussion with Claire O’Keefe, and more on the topic:
Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here
FOR MORE ON CLAIRE O’KEEFE AND CERITY PARTNERS:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/m-claire-o-keefe-305b539
Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.
If you want to find out how deal-ready you are, take the Deal-Ready Assessment today!
DEALQUEST PODCAST – Stan Gregor
M&A Talk with Leading RIA Aggregators and Integrators:
Stan Gregor of Summit Financial
CEO of Summit Financial, Stan Gregor, is a seasoned business leader with over 30 years of experience in various industries including banking, investment banking, insurance, and wealth management. Throughout his career, Stan has been involved in the acquisition and integration of large and complex businesses in these industries. This has led to his history of improving their profitability, performance and returns for shareholders.
A UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION
The independent advisor industry has undergone many significant changes in recent years, with many options available out there for advisors seeking a firm that caters to their own specific needs. With Summit Financial, Stan recognized this evolution so he adapted his business strategy to stand out amongst the other firms, while remaining current with the evolution of the industry.
Stan describes Summit's approach as one that combines support, but offers independence. Advisors are given the autonomy to operate their own businesses, in turn providing their clients with the level of service they desire, but they also allow access to a team that offers support and assistance in their day-to-day operations. Furthermore, Summit's partnership model is distinctive and superior, with partners coming together on a regular basis to share their own experiences and act as advisory committees to one another. This culture of collaboration is what sets Summit apart and is a leading valuable benefit for advisors who have been with the firm for an extended period of time.
SUMMIT FINANCIAL: AGGREGATOR? INTEGRATOR?
In the RIA industry, there are two main business models: The aggregator model and the integrator model. The aggregator model is where a company acquires smaller businesses, while operating them separately the only focus is on generating profit and revenue without integrating them into the larger company. In contrast, the integrator model emphasizes on equipping advisors with the necessary resources and tools to work independently, while still having access to the regulatory compliance and technology infrastructure of the larger parent company. Many firms will operate as a hybrid, opting to pick the parts of both models to create an amalgamation that suits their own individual firm’s needs.
Summit Financial would fall under the full integrator model, where they simplify the things that advisors don't want to do, such as having their own ADV, or dealing with technology and compliance. Summit Financial also provides:
An investment team
Insurance agency
Servicing arm to take non-client-facing tasks off the advisor's plate, while still allowing them to use their own brand
The culture of the company is one of collaboration and partnership. Stan holds firm in his belief that if Summit Financial is not adding value to an advisor's business, the advisor should take an exit.
The honesty is appreciated with this approach, as many times in business, the focus can become overly superficial and only emphasizing solely on financial figures without taking the consideration of how the team functions together as a cohesive unit. I agree that a positive company culture is vital, and making sure that everyone is content – so they can excel – should be a top priority.
FLEXIBILITY & COMPANY CULTURE
The approach to flexibility is one of the key components to ensuring Summit Financial stands out in the comparison with other firms. Stan highlights that the company's business model is adaptive and distinctive, allowing firms to maintain their own branding and for employees to come and go as they please. As they have the ability to shape and adapt the company to their specific needs, this approach allows for a more personalized experience for both firms and employees alike.
This approach contrasts greatly with other, larger companies that often make 100% acquisitions, absorbing all aspects of the acquired businesses. With this method of acquisition, the total absorption of the acquired company yields the result of often the loss of identity and culture.
SUPPORTING GENERATIONAL GROWTH
There are countless unique opportunities and challenges that arise when working with second (G2) and third (G3) generation business owners. Stan acknowledges that these individuals may have different interests and goals, with some more interested in growth opportunities while others are looking to cash out sooner.
Through their business model of only buying a minority stake in a business is one of the ways that Summit addresses these challenges. This allows G2 and G3 members to continue to grow and run the business, while still having the resources and support provided by Summit. Additionally, Summit has experience working with G2 members who are loyal to the business but may not have the means to take over the business on their own. In these cases, Summit will make an investment in the seller and also provide financing for the G2 member, allowing them to acquire the business without incurring a significant amount of debt.
Summit's primary focus is on assisting G2 and G3 members grow their businesses organically. Stan emphasizes that they do not aim to make money in the financing aspect of the deal and that their model is designed to be simple and fair. Stan is sincere in his dislike for the "nickel and dime" mentality that is a commonplace in this industry, citing that Summit's approach is meant to be more beneficial and transparent for all involved parties.
THE SUMMIT FUNDING STRATEGY
Regardless of their model, all firms, whether it is a full integrator, a full aggregator, or a hybrid, have their own unique funding strategies. Stan explains that all financing for Summit derives from the personal capital of its partners and that the company does not have any loans from banks or private equity. For larger transactions, Summit will utilize the services of Merchant Capital, of which he is a shareholder.
It is crucial that a firm is financially smart. Stan believes that the most intelligent way to run Summit is by:
Limiting its funding to not include private equity
Limiting its funding to not include loans from banks
Keeping a healthy amount of cash on hand
Avoiding taking excessive risks
Summit being in business for 40 years has proven this strategy to be effective which Stan believes could only be achieved by being financially savvy.
For my full discussion with Stan Gregor, and more on the topic:
Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here
FOR MORE ON STAN GREGOR & SUMMIT FINANCIAL:
https://summitfinancial.com/
https://summitfinancial.com/team-members/stan-gregor/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-gregor-2113465/
Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.
If you want to find out how deal-ready you are, take the Deal-Ready Assessment today!
DEALQUEST PODCAST – Marty Bicknell
M&A Talk with Leading RIA Aggregators and Integrators:
Marty Bicknell of Mariner Wealth Advisors
CEO and President of Mariner Wealth Advisors, Marty Bicknell, drives the strategic direction for the firm, coming up with innovative solutions to help meet the needs of Mariner’s clients. Marty has wide-ranging personal and professional experience with closely held family businesses and their exclusive complexities. As a result, he is often sought out as a mentor by other successful entrepreneurs and is a recognized leader in wealth management.
In 2006, Marty along with seven others founded Mariner Wealth Advisors with the leading goal of keeping the client at the center of the business. Marty’s vision was to build a firm that could simplify their clients’ lives by allowing all the needed resources under one roof. Marty and Mariner’s promise is to always put the clients’ interest first – a promise they haven’t budged from in their 17 years of business.
I’ve had the unique pleasure of following the growth of Mariner since the beginning, so having Marty’s experience and insight available to the DealQuest community is such an honor.
THE INCEPTION AND CORE OF MARINER WEALTH ADVISORS
Coming from a background of the wirehouses, that’s all Marty knew. He spent the first 16 years of his career with A.G. Edwards, which is an incredible firm with an incredible culture that, too, went through its own changes; ones that greatly impacted many advisors, including Marty. At this point, he needed to figure out his next steps and was fortunate enough to come across two people from Fidelity that assisted in educating him on what the RIA industry was. As soon as he had a good grip on the fiduciary model and the RIA industry, he knew it’d be an excellent fit for his team, his clients, and his own personal goals, so he “jumped right in.”
Marty and his fellow founders started Mariner Wealth Advisors with a simple philosophy that still stands today:
Clients first. No exception.
Associates second.
Shareholders last.
This philosophy became important to Marty and the Mariner team due to the fact that many firms today tend to prioritize shareholders a tad too much, but for Marty, he wanted his clients to feel their needs and wants were always met; never leaving the question if Mariner is on their side, or not.
FROM ORGANIC GROWTH AND ONBOARDING TO M&A INTEGRATOR: WHY MARINER SWITCHED
Looking at the wirehouse model, it isn’t uncommon to find a “corner office guy” to be the best business development professional, but lacking on the advice side. Looking elsewhere in the office, you’d find the opposite is true for someone else.
For many years Mariner Wealth’s growth consisted of a combination of organic growth and onboarding new advisors, but not from doing M&A deals.
With a deep dedication to their core philosophy, Mariner focused on client outcomes, differing from the model within the wirehouses. Mariner got their start as an in-house tax practice. In addition to that, Mariner also solely owns their Insurance General Agency. All of the many steps of forming Mariner allotted Marty and the team to bring to the table a great deal of diverse and new things, allowing them to perform greater for their clients.
Following approximately 10 – 12 years of operating primarily under organic growth, the studies began to show that organic growth was actually a lot lower, and slower. If you look at the average firm – below the big aggregator firms – you actually begin to see that growth is sitting at or under 3%.
Compiling the staggering growth statistics for firms that pursued deal-driven growth, Marty’s philosophy for Mariner, and what he and his team want to achieve for Mariner’s clients, making the switch to the integrator model began to make sense.
WHERE THERE IS FAILURE, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR GROWTH
The model switch was not an overnight, quick decision for Marty and the Mariner team. The switchover actually began in 2011 with Mariner’s first acquisition deal. Marty frankly states that it was an opportunistic deal that ultimately just did not work out. It was a beneficial and financially sound deal, but culturally it was not a good mix. This in turn resulted in Mariner having to ask their three largest revenue producers to leave the organization, taking their clients with them.
This failure was not without its lessons in growth. It made Marty take a step back and reevaluate. He learned what their non-negotiables were for a deal. Those non-negotiables in a deal have not faltered much if at all since that first unsuccessful deal.
THE HOW OF THE SWITCH
In 2012, Mariner used this new knowledge and successfully completed four acquisitions. From 2012 to 2018, Mariner had a holding company approach, with approximately 20 firms that Mariner owned, on average, 70% of; wherein they kept their own brands. This initial aggregator approach allowed Mariner to enter into the acquisition space. The problem which existed was that they weren’t getting any synergy; they were simply sharing 70% of the profits of the firms.
In 2018, Mariner began the process for the transition from that aggregation approach to an integration strategy, starting the One Mariner Project. The One Mariner Project involved:
Buying out minority owners
Brands transitioning to the Mariner brand
Operating under one ADV
The acquisitions from 2019 onward were full buyouts, which is an impressive feat considering these deals were entirely self-funded until June 2021, when Mariner brought in their first private equity partner.
INTEGRATOR VS. AGGREGATOR
For Marty and Mariner Wealth Advisors, the philosophy of “clients first” meant their firm’s growth relied on how they could provide their best for their clients. This is not to say that other models don’t or can’t work, as we know many firms operate under various models to serve their clients in their own best way. The takeaway from here is being aware what will work best given your unique business goals and target clientele.
With that in mind, I hope what you take away from this series includes some actionable next steps you can use to determine which wealth management model – or combination of models – works for your business, your clients and you in general. Also with the new understanding one the featured firms might be a good fit for you.
For my full discussion with Marty Bicknell, and more on the topic:
Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here
FOR MORE ON MARTY BICKNELL & MARINER WEALTH ADVISORS:
https://www.marinerwealthadvisors.com/
https://www.marinerwealthadvisors.com/our-team/marty-bicknell/ https://www.marinerwealthadvisors.com/our-team/marty-bicknell/
Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.
If you want to find out how deal-ready you are, take the Deal-Ready Assessment today!
DEALQUEST PODCAST – Jim Dickson
M&A Talk with Leading RIA Aggregators and Integrators:
Jim Dickson of Sanctuary Wealth
In 2022, the top funded aggregators and integrators completed the vast majority of the RIA M&A deals. While it’s a wondrous time for the space due to the variety of different buyers, more funding, and more private equity, there is also room for a greater deal of confusion.
This week’s guest on the DealQuest Podcast RIA Series is Jim Dickson of Sanctuary Wealth. As an “entrepreneur at his core”, Jim joins me to talk about the Sanctuary Wealth model, his role as an aggregator, leaving Merrill Lynch, the ongoing frustrations many have felt in the wirehouses, and the different characteristics of aggregators and integrators that appeal to a variety of people. We also dive deep into some of the new opportunities in this market, and go over what they mean for advisors.
SANCTUARY WEALTH
Sanctuary Wealth is a nationally recognized pure aggregator firm. Their core operational principles revolve around helping people grow and autonomy. Everyone sits under the same ADV, but in turn each retains its own brand. Sanctuary Wealth will breakaway a lot of firms from the wirehouses, and later take a stake in them.
In ending, the understanding is there is no one way to do M&A. The sheer variety of ways firms are approaching it shows that it is all hinging on with whom you fit and work the best with. In choosing the right firm for you will ensure the rest falls into place. Listen to this and the other episodes in this special series to help you make that decision.
For my full discussion with Jim Dickson, and more on the topic:
Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here
FOR MORE ON JIM DICKSON & SANCTUARY WEALTH:
https://www.sanctuarywealth.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-dickson-b02934162/
https://twitter.com/JDicksonSW
Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.
If you want to find out how deal-ready you are, take the Deal-Ready Assessment today!