The WealthStack podcast is the only podcast that specifically provides financial advisors with targeted discussions that focus on innovations and developments WealthTech. Each episode of the WealthStack podcast is a deep-dive with a WealthTech or wealth management industry thought leader and is designed to help financial advisors understand how they can accelerate the growth of their businesses, deliver an elite digital client experience and improve productivity and profitability. The WealthStack podcast will focus on how WealthTech is reshaping the financial advice industry – and ultimately the delivery of financial advice.
The buy versus build debate continues to rage on in the wealth management industry. Many of the largest wealth managers and RIAs have already created great software and technology that others can purchase and fold into their existing businesses. But Farther actually turned to creating their own in-house proprietary platforms to achieve success in a data-driven way.
Now, with $72 million in Series C funding, Farther plans to use this investment to further support advisors and enhance their platform.
Shannon, Taylor, and Brad discuss:
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Taylor Matthews leads Farther’s executive team and shapes the overarching strategy for the firm. Prior to founding Farther, Taylor was a member of the leadership team at ForUsAll, where he helped build the fintech retirement advisory firm from $25 million in assets under management to just under $1 billion in his two years there.
Taylor previously co-founded Essmart, a social enterprise distributing tech-for-development products in India, and was an investment banker and management consultant in his early career. He graduated from MIT Sloan with an MBA and Yale with degrees in philosophy and political science.
Brad Genser sets Farther’s vision for using technology to deliver an elite wealth experience for clients. Prior to founding Farther, Brad worked at Goldman Sachs in New York – where he founded and led an AI team dedicated to Private Wealth, and was an advisor on a team that managed over $1 billion in assets for clients.
Brad received both an SM in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from MIT. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he is a two-time Iraq war combat veteran who was awarded two bronze stars.
TAMPs have evolved significantly since their inception in the 1980s, becoming essential tools for advisors seeking to enhance operational efficiency and client service. Initially, TAMPs were designed to simplify portfolio management by providing access to pre-selected investment models and third-party asset managers, allowing advisors to outsource the heavy lifting of investment management. Over time, as technology has advanced and client expectations have shifted, TAMPs have evolved to offer a wider array of services, including advanced portfolio customization, automated trading, and integrated compliance tools. The modern TAMPs now combine cutting-edge wealthtech solutions with multi-custodial capabilities, allowing advisors to serve a broader range of clients more effectively while keeping their focus on client engagement and growth.
In this episode, WealthStack Podcast host Shannon Rosic chats with Kyle Wiggs, CEO of UX Wealth Partners, about the evolving role of TAMPs in wealth management.
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As President & CEO, Kyle is responsible for leading UX Wealth Partners’ team of dedicated industry experts. He focuses primarily on business strategy, organizational management, platform & product development, and distribution strategy. With nearly two decades of industry experience, Kyle has an intimate understanding of today’s advisors, the technologies needed to modernize their businesses, and the transformative investment tools that power the UX Wealth Partners platform.
The use of testimonials creates a powerful opportunity to amplify the potential reach of positive experiences through word-of-mouth sharing to new audiences. For financial advisors, online reputation is becoming increasingly important as clients turn to digital channels for information. Understanding how to leverage testimonials effectively can be a game-changer for business growth.
In this episode of WealthStack, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content & Solutions, chats with Andrew Johnson, CEO, and Co-founder of Testimonial IQ, about why financial advisors should care about Google reviews, the role of compliance in managing testimonials, and how to align online presence with real-world client relationships.
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An experienced FinTech entrepreneur, Andrew previously co-founded Datalign Advisory, an RIA referral platform where he serves as a board advisor. Before Datalign, he worked in management consulting with a focus on B2C marketing and in product/operations strategy with Meta (Facebook). Andrew served for five years in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, including two deployments on the world’s finest Destroyer, USS O’Kane. Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Virginia and his BS from Davidson College. He resides with his family in Denver, CO.
Small to medium-sized businesses make up 99% of all U.S. businesses, and most of these business owners are unaware of their enterprise value. The episode dives into how Interval provides critical insights for business owners by automating business health analytics and delivering ongoing value monitoring, ultimately helping advisors provide better guidance by integrating business health data into their planning process.
Join Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, as she speaks with Trevor Greenway, Co-Founder & CEO at interVal, on how interVal is empowering financial advisors to attract, retain, and better serve high-value business owner clients through the innovative use of technology.
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Trevor Greenway is an exceptionally passionate leader who believes that when data is harnessed for good, everyone in the ecosystem benefits. He understands that business owners and their advisors can operate more efficiently when financial data is sorted and contextualized in meaningful ways. Believing that everyone succeeds with access to comprehensive information, Trevor led the development of a software platform that provides this data in real time.
Proactive client engagement through technology has become paramount, which means the role of the CRM has evolved. In an increasingly uncertain economic environment, advisors must future-proof their business models to scale operations and expand their reach. A key area to revisit is their CRM system, which has become crucial for delivering personalized services and enhancing client engagement.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Doug Fritz, CEO and founder of F2 Strategy, about the current state and future of CRM systems in the wealth management industry.
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Doug Fritz is the co-founder and CEO of F2 Strategy. Doug, a veteran CTO and sought-after WealthTech consultant leads an all-star team of executives in technology-driven operations, digital client engagement, performance, and implementation, among many other areas for clients. Through F2’s Outsourced CTO (OCTO) model and strategy consulting services, Doug is passionate about helping firms of all sizes deliver exceptional client and advisor experiences.
Mergers and acquisitions often mark the beginning of a transformative journey, filled with both incredible opportunities and challenging headaches. Few industries offer more enticing M&A potential than wealth management, a fragmented sector where performance, processes, and personnel must consistently operate at peak efficiency. For financial advisory firms, regardless of size or type, preparing for acquisition is vital, which is why thorough planning and having a well-defined project plan are crucial for a successful merger.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Verity Larsen, Founder and CEO of Versoft Consulting, about the importance of a comprehensive post-deal integration strategy.
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Verity is Versoft’s heart and soul. She co-founded the company in 2015 after spending 7.5 years as Team Lead and Senior Consultant at SS&C Advent. Prior to entering the consulting field, she worked as Assistant Director of Information Systems at a Portland-based asset management firm and has been in the investment management industry since 2000.
Verity graduated with an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems from Portland Community College. She also spent 3 years on the Board of Directors for The Exchange Network (formerly Advent Users Group) serving as VP and President in her 2nd and 3rd years.
She’s committed to providing an exceptional consultative approach to every client and ensuring the work performed by the Versoft Team results in the highest level of customer satisfaction. Verity works to continue training and education throughout the Versoft team, passing on the knowledge she has gained being in this industry for so many years. She also spends time building and maintaining relationships with vendors so the Versoft team can remain knowledgeable on technology platforms and tools, IT hosting, and data and outsourced service providers.
When she’s not doing CEO/Principal Consultant/Co-Founder things, Verity likes to spend time with family, including seven nieces and nephews and two great-nephews, in multiple states around the U.S. On rare occasions, she’ll hike around the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, and other places throughout the Pacific Northwest.
When it comes to direct indexing, adoption and understanding has historically lagged because the tools were not readily available to advisors, and/or they were not intuitive to use. The evolution of direct indexing is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in the investment management industry, driven by technological innovation and the changing needs of investors. It offers financial advisors a way to differentiate themselves by providing unique, personalized portfolio constructions that cannot be easily replicated by competitors.
In this special episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Patrick Shaddow, President & CEO of Syntax Data, about why direct indexing is set to transform the investment landscape.
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Patrick Shaddow has been engaged in all aspects of indexation for over 15 years. He has worked directly with a wide range of financial institutions on index development, index production, data acquisition and dissemination, business development, and index marketing and promotion.
Patrick joined Syntax in September 2021 as President with a mandate to organize the company’s internal structure, scale up its operational resources, and commercialize its unique intellectual property. As President, Patrick initiated data sales and licensing processes with a wide range of financial intermediaries, providing clear “proof of concept” for roll-out plans.
Prior to joining Syntax, Patrick served as Head of Index Operations at S-Network Global Indexes, where he led a team of 20 professionals. At S-Net, Patrick oversaw the development and daily production of over 350 indexes, including approximately 100 indexes licensed to serve as the basis for financial products holding over $30 billion in assets under management. Patrick also oversaw the development of S-Net’s index production and distribution platform and the technology infrastructure that supported it. He negotiated and managed the company’s data licenses and entitlements, working closely with a range of providers including Refinitiv, Bloomberg, FactSet, the NYSE, and others. Patrick participated in the 100% equity sale of S-Net to a private equity company in 2020 and was a member of the management team of Alerian/S-Network until July of 2021.
Prior to joining S-Network, Patrick worked as an index analyst at Dow Jones Indexes. He is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Business with a concentration in management information systems. Patrick is married with three children.
When you’re a technology leader at a $1B+ wealth management firm, there’s a lot that can keep you up at night. Technology issues are evolving, but fortunately, so are solutions. When it comes to the role of the CTO, technical and analytical skills are only part of the job. It might be the case that no skill is as important as agility: the ability to assess the needs of your organization at a particular moment, and to change your tools and tactics over time to satisfy advisors and their clients.
In this special episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Michelle Feinstein GM/VP Global Financial Services Solutions & Strategy Salesforce, about the findings from the 2024 CTO Think Tank that was hosted at Wealth Management EDGE.
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Michelle Feinstein is general manager and vice president, Global Wealth & Asset Management Solutions & Strategy for Salesforce Industries. Her expertise is in digital transformation for wealth management. This process of digitization is complex, it requires firms to accelerate plans to harness data, digitize advisor-client experiences, and modernize service to scale and support growth.
It’s no secret that the healthcare and financial services industries are incredibly complicated and often don’t easily talk to one another. In fact, medical bills are reported to be the number-one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. Healthcare costs represent a significant portion of an individual’s or family’s financial landscape, especially as they age. Ignoring this critical component can lead to unforeseen financial burdens, which may disrupt even the most meticulously crafted financial plans. By proactively addressing healthcare costs, advisors can help clients better anticipate and manage these expenses, thereby ensuring a more secure and predictable financial future.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Christine Simone, CEO of Caribou, about why healthcare planning can differentiate financial advisors in a competitive market.
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Christine co-founded Caribou in 2020, where she serves as the CEO and plays a central role in developing and offering their healthcare planning software. Prior to that, she worked at CoHealth (formerly Dash MD) from 2019 to 2020 as the Manager of Client Success and Implementation. At CoHealth, she oversaw the successful implementation of their mobile platform within healthcare systems and acted as a liaison for communication with partners. From 2017 to 2019, Christine worked at eSight Eyewear as a Special Project Coordinator and Vision Advocate, where she was responsible for growing the business in a designated territory and evaluating client eye conditions. Christine’s earlier work experience includes a role as a Researcher at Vancouver Coastal Health, where she gained valuable skills and knowledge in behavioral neuroscience and conducted research on potential novel therapeutics.
Christine holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Biology from The University of British Columbia.
Philanthropy often remains an overlooked aspect in wealth planning, which traditionally focuses on wealth accumulation rather than distribution. But, high-net-worth individuals and families increasingly recognize that their financial legacy extends beyond the accumulation of assets. This growing interest in philanthropy demands a more integrated approach to planning, where giving is strategically aligned with overall financial goals. Platforms like PhilanthPro are bridging the gap by offering professional planning tools specifically designed for philanthropic giving.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Nicholas Palahnuk, Founder and CEO of PhilanthPro, about the importance of philanthropy in wealth planning.
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Nicholas Palahnuk is the Founder and CEO of PhilanthPro. Recognizing a gap in the financial industry, he brought to life a suite of tools to foster philanthropy for a brighter future.
Palahnuk also leads a wealth management group that empowers people to live and give comfortably through sound financial planning. The Globe & Mail Report on Business named him one of Canada’s top wealth advisors. In 2020, he was nominated top under 40 by the Investment Industry Association of Canada.
Palahnuk is a member of the Forward Global philanthropy community and studies global development at Harvard University. He also founded a private foundation in 2021 to fund innovative programs that build greater mental health resilience among young people.
Passionate about financial planning from an early age, Palahnuk became the youngest Certified Financial Planner in Canada at the age of 21. He lives in Toronto and splits his time between Canada and the US.
SEC compliance is top of mind for RIAs across the country, and their cybersecurity needs are specific. RIAs have a fiduciary responsibility to protect their clients’ data and assets, which can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. A data breach could result in fines, penalties, and reputational damage. With the SEC proposing new rules to address cybersecurity risks, RIAs need to be prepared to future-proof their practice.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Michael Cocanower, Founder and CEO of Advisercyber, about what pending regulations mean for RIAs.
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Michael Cocanower is the founder and CEO of AdviserCyber. He has over 25 years of experience in the IT field, and specifically designed AdviserCyber to assist Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in complying with the most sweeping SEC cybersecurity requirements in history. Michael has led IT consulting organizations empowering small and mid-market businesses with strategic guidance. Michael is recognized as an Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP ®), as well as a Certified Ethical Hacker.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Michael earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both finance and computer information systems from Arizona State University. He went on to serve in technology consulting positions for various Arizona-based companies, as well for industry giants such as Microsoft and Cisco. Michael served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners for many years and is also a past president of the Arizona Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization. Michael is a black belt in the Kang-Sul division of Hwa Rang Do, a trained sniper, and runs in excess of 50 miles per week. In his spare time he is up for just about any type of life adventure offers to him.
For financial advisors, having a growth partner is essential for achieving sustainable success and scaling their business. The right partner can provide strategic insights, and enhance an advisor’s operational efficiencies and client service capabilities. Through strategic partnerships, advisors can access new markets and opportunities more effectively, manage risks better, and stay ahead of industry trends, ultimately leading to increased client satisfaction and higher growth rates.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Andree Mohr, President of Integrated Partners, about the importance of a growth partner.
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Andree supports growth on many levels as the President of Integrated. In this role, She oversees the day-to-day operations, manages budgets, and drives the firm’s key objectives to ensure the consistent and healthy growth of the organization. A particular passion of hers is helping entrepreneurial-minded financial advisors implement strategic operations that enhance efficiencies, foster practice growth, and bring their business visions to fruition. Through Integrated’s CPA Alliance program, she assists CPA partners in monetizing their most trusted advisor status while simultaneously aiding clients in their financial planning and tax needs.
She is also the co-author of “Center Stage: How to Become the Star of Your Practice” along with Matt Ackermann. The book focuses on operational, team building, and business processing efficiencies to help empower advisors to streamline their practices. The end result: advisors will have a roadmap to grow their business, leave a lasting legacy, and ultimately provide a boutique, concierge, memorable experience for their clients.
Her professional background includes graduating from Northeastern University, with an emphasis on experiential learning. She has been supporting advisors in various capacities for the last 13 years and truly enjoys helping them with their growth endeavors, facilitating business optimization, and ultimately watching them realize their goals.
Rounding out her life involves spending time with her husband and twin daughters, passionately cheering on the New England Patriots, traveling, and supporting charitable causes that are important to her.
LPL Financial has been a leader in the independent broker/dealer space for years, serving nearly 22,000 financial advisors representing over $1 trillion of brokerage and advisory assets. This means the business needs its infrastructure to be fast, reliable and secure. Everything LPL does is positioned around helping advisors take care of their clients, with technology being a driving force.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Greg Gates, CTO of LPL, about how technological advancements are driving the firm’s digital transformation.
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Greg Gates is managing director and Chief Technology & Information Officer for LPL Financial. In this role, Mr. Gates is responsible for managing all aspects of the firm’s technology and systems applications. He leads a high-performing information technology organization responsible for delivering technology solutions and market-leading platforms that enable positive, compelling experiences for LPL advisors and employees.
Mr. Gates joined LPL in 2018 with nearly two decades of senior-level management experience focused on the application of technology to solve business challenges on a global scale. Before joining LPL, Mr. Gates led Product Management and Engineering teams at PayPal from 2011 to 2018, focusing on internal technology platforms, merchant and consumer experiences, risk and security, and global operations. Prior to that, at Bank of America, he led a number of technology organizations, culminating in leadership of Bank of America’s Contact Center Technology from 2002 to 2011.
Mr. Gates earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1999, and successfully completed multiple leadership, continuing education, and certification programs from several organizations. He recently served on the Pega Platform Customer Advisory Board at Pegasystems, and previously served on Avaya’s customer advisory board. He is currently on Box, Inc.’s CIO Advisory Board.
Is estate planning the next frontier of wealth management? Estate planning solutions are becoming steadily more popular with advisors, especially those seeking to differentiate their services. As clients become increasingly aware of the complexities of wealth transfer, asset protection, and legacy planning, they expect comprehensive guidance from their advisors. By using estate planning tools, advisors can offer a holistic approach to wealth management, addressing not only investment strategies but also the essential aspects of estate distribution and tax implications.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Gene Farrell, CEO of Vanilla, about the emerging trends in estate planning and why it’s becoming a critical part of wealth management.
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With over 25 years of executive leadership experience driving transformation and growth across the consumer and technology industries, Gene is a recognized thought leader and innovator known for building disruptive new businesses for global brands. He was named a 2019 Innovator of the Year by the Puget Sound Business Journal.
Prior to Vanilla, Gene spent 4 1/2 years at Smartsheet where he helped take the company public and scale the business from $100M to over $500M in revenue. As Smartsheet’s Chief Strategy and Product Officer Gene was responsible for leading company strategy, corporate development, product management, product marketing, experience design, and strategic alliances. Gene joined Smartsheet from Amazon Web Services where he spent five years as a vice president responsible for enterprise computing. In this role, Gene pioneered new cloud businesses including Amazon WorkSpaces and Amazon Chime. Before Amazon, Gene was a vice president at the Coca-Cola Company, where he founded and led the creation of the Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage platform. His groundbreaking work on Coca-Cola Freestyle was recognized by Forbes as one of the best new products of the decade and received the Edison Gold Innovation and Catalyst Design awards.
The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs by the Securities and Exchange Commission dominated trends in the first quarter of 2024. But how did we even get to this point? While Bitcoin has been around since 2009, cryptocurrencies have quickly evolved from digital novelties to trillion-dollar technologies, poised to disrupt the global financial system. Digital currencies are being increasingly viewed as investments, which is why advisors need to be educated about the subject.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Adam Blumberg, co-founder of Interaxis, about how advisors can prepare themselves and their clients for a crypto-inclusive future.
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Adam is a Certified Financial Planner, and a former registered investment advisor. He co-founded Interaxis in 2019 to educate advisors and investors on digital assets and decentralized finance. His Interaxis YouTube channel is viewed by thousands across the globe. He is a regular contributor to Coindesk’s Crypto for Advisors and was featured on Bloomberg TV and Blockworks.
For years, firms have benefited from a rising equity market and an equally long period of near-zero interest rates. RIAs found themselves in a position where they could achieve growth with minimal effort. However, most executives in wealth management are not content with this passive approach to growth. The secret to RIA growth lies in keeping sight of their priorities. In order to differentiate in a ‘sea of sameness,’ RIAs have turned their attention to innovation and tailored client experiences.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Sara Baker, president of Triad Wealth Partners, about the tactics high-growth firms are focusing on in order to succeed.
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Sara Baker, JD, LLM, is President of Triad Wealth Partners. She is a leader with over 15 years of financial services experience in M&A, integrations, start-ups, product operations, project management, strategic planning, tax planning, and advanced financial planning.
The advent of wealthtech represents both a significant opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, it offers tools that can enhance efficiency, improve client engagement, and enable more personalized, data-driven advice. On the other hand, it demands a shift in mindset and skill set, requiring advisors to become adept at integrating new technologies into their practice. The implications of wealthtech extend beyond operational efficiency to fundamentally altering the value proposition of financial advisors, compelling them to differentiate themselves through the quality of their insights and their ability to deliver comprehensive, client-centric solutions.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Joel Bruckenstein, President of T3, about the transformative impact of technology on wealth management.
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Joel P. Bruckenstein, CFP®, is a globally recognized authority in the field of applied technology for financial professionals. He is renowned as the Publisher of Technology Tools for Today (T3), formerly known as Virtual Office News and now known as the T3 Tech Hub.
As the driving force behind the esteemed T3 Advisor Conference, Bruckenstein has established it as the preeminent technology event for independent financial advisors executives from independent broker/dealers and executives from large registered investment advisory firms. The conference also welcomes fintech journalists, private equity firms, and asset managers that support the wealthtech ecosystem. Celebrating its 20th year in 2024, the conference has consistently delivered unparalleled value to its attendees.
Beyond these major conferences, Bruckenstein partners with influential thought leaders in the financial services industry, such as Brian Hamburger of MarketCounsel, to host various technology summits.
For over two decades, Bruckenstein has been advising financial service firms of all sizes, aiding them in enhancing their technological infrastructure, streamlining processes, and optimizing workflows.
Financial advisors are much more than just “money experts”, and their role is evolving from traditional wealth advising to a more personalized wealth coaching approach. As the needs of investors become more complex, advisors are relying heavily on technology to help them become more efficient and streamline operations. By saving time and money, they’re truly able to focus on a holistic approach for their clients.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Urs Bolt, a well known financial mentor and coach, about what’s driving this shift.
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Urs Bolt is an expert in WealthTech and ecosystems in (crypto) finance, based in Switzerland. 30+ years’ experience in wealth management, investment banking and related technology businesses. My core expertise is to develop and roll out new digital business platforms.
He helps financial service providers and tech companies to review/refocus business strategies, advise on strategic projects, develop solutions and markets, and build business partnerships.
He is also active as a speaker, moderator, micro-blogger, lecturer, and author; recognised as a global opinion leader in #WealthManagement, #WealthTech, #DigitalAssets.
In addition to this, Bolt is a member of advisory boards and jury panels: FT PWM WealthTech Awards, Global Wealth & Society, WealthBriefing Editorial Board and Swiss Awards, Blockchain Competition for Finance.
Evaluating technology ROI is crucial for ensuring that investments in digital tools and platforms directly contribute to operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This process helps to align technology spending with the firm’s strategic goals, driving growth and enhancing the value delivered to clients. Ultimately, evolving digital experiences for clients and advisors can help firms deliver stronger wealth solutions.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with John Spyers, Chief Information and Technology Officer at Buckingham Wealth Partners, about how productivity solutions are resulting in real ROI for firms.
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John Spyers oversees the day-to-day management of the Technology, Data Operations, Product Support, Service Operations, and Onboarding & Integration teams. He helps identify and design solutions that allow Buckingham Strategic Wealth’s technology and other operational areas to be better utilized in order to improve processes and increase efficiency.
John, who joined Buckingham in 2015, is drawn to technology because of its ability to change people’s lives and reshape businesses. In his role, he is able to watch that play out first-hand as his team delivers solutions to help advisors and clients. He gets great reward in interacting with colleagues throughout the organization, challenging each other and continually searching for ways to do things better on behalf of our clients.
Prior to joining Buckingham, John worked for 15 years at Perficient, a technology consulting organization based in St. Louis, and held roles such as director of operations, director of solution delivery and director of corporate projects. He has a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis in finance and operations and manufacturing management.
John lives in Wentzville, Missouri, with his wife, Devon, and their two sons, Grayson and William.
The custodial space is notoriously difficult to break into, but Betterment wasn’t afraid to take the leap. While larger custodians are locked in a battle for scale, Betterment saw an opportunity to better serve smaller RIAs by helping them leverage the platform to support their growth and operational efficiency.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Thomas Moore, Head of Betterment for Advisors, about why custodial competition is reshaping wealth management.
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Thomas Moore has spent his career working with top wealth management firms across the country. He is passionate about helping financial advisors to find the best possible solutions for their clients and businesses. Prior to this role, he held lead sales roles for Affiliated Managers Group, SEI and The Vanguard Group.
The future of the wealth management industry isn’t going to be dominated by robots. Instead, it will be an evolving hybrid market in which human advisors use digital techniques to gather data and generate thoughtful, and more precise recommendations faster and more objectively than they do today. When it comes to artificial intelligence, the challenge is not fending off extinction, it is shifting skills. Can CTO’s be the changemakers that help advisors adapt?
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Nick Graham, Chief Technology Officer at Cambridge, about the opportunities AI creates when it comes to financial advice, and how Cambridge is staying ahead of the curve.
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Nick Graham joined Cambridge in 2017 and currently serves as a member of Cambridge’s Executive Council. Graham has more than 25 years of experience in product development, consulting services, and business development across a variety of markets, including the financial services industry. In his current role, he leads one of the most innovative financial professional workstations in the industry, featuring financial professional-friendly technology that is customizable for the broadest range of independent business models across financial professional business channels. Graham was named Chief Technology Officer of the Year by WealthManagement.com1 at the 2021 Industry Awards. He is a member of the Fairfield Economic Development Association Board of Directors and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University.
The fastest-growing, most resilient RIAs are relying on modern technology to deliver a differentiated experience and keep up with client expectations. Given the significant amount of market turmoil over the past year, having the right technology, data, tools and perspective are more important than ever to navigate volatility and a dynamic risk landscape. Fortunately, Addepar has been at the forefront of these trends by developing the industry standard for data management and aggregation, analysis and reporting.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Don Nilsson, Chief Product Officer at Addepar, about how they’re supporting advisors in a more tech-enabled and data-driven way.
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Don is the Chief Product Officer at Addepar, focused on driving the development of the company’s platform which specializes in data aggregation, analytics, and portfolio reporting to provide insights and clarity into investment portfolios. Highly adept at user-centric solutions, Don brings a design-centered approach to development.
Prior to joining Addepar, he spent more than two decades at FactSet, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Product Development, responsible for running their global product development function and overseeing development across the entire platform.
Don received a BS in finance at Villanova University and an MBA from New York University.
Is the perfect tech stack a unicorn…does it even exist? The battle between all-in-one versus best-of-breed wages on. But, Practifi, a performance optimization platform, is on a mission to help wealth management firms create the perfect tech stack. Can a firm get an idealized tech stack for their needs? Absolutely. Would it be perfect for the next firm? Almost certainly not. There is an importance of setting up a tech stack to mirror and support how advisors want to spend their time, which is why it’s so critical for technology to be flexible.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Adrian Johnstone, CEO of Practifi, about why the “perfect” tech stack will depend on a firm’s unique needs and priorities.
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Adrian has over 20 years experience helping advice businesses of all sizes leverage technology for growth.
A regular presenter at industry events in Australia and United States, Adrian offers deep insight into the technology needs of advisors. Adrian owns Practifi’s go-to-market strategy and direction globally.
Nebo, which stands for needs based optimization, was born after nearly a decade of GMO research focused on solving for optimal portfolio construction that seeks to minimize shortfall risk. Nebo has already passed $1B in platform assets, after launching in 2022, and the brilliant minds at the firm are on a mission to bridge the …
AI continues to dominate headlines in the wealth management space. But, will it eventually end up replacing everything outside of actual conversations between an advisor and a client? Possibly. Generative AI may still seem intimidating to many, but the reality is the future belongs to those who are willing to learn and implement it correctly. …
Is a picture worth a thousand words? In the case of visiWealth, the answer is yes. Financial planning is complicated and often full of jargon that is complex. As advisors know, when complexity increases, understanding can often decrease, and it can be a challenge to get clients to trust what they don’t understand. This is …
A powerful CRM is crucial for financial advisors if they ultimately want to grow their business. As firms gain access to more and more data, the CRM has become the centralized hub to capture, organize and manage data through the entire client lifecycle. With more information available than ever before, advisors can use this technology …
The role of the CTO has morphed into a complex, evolving set of responsibilities. Historically, technology was seen as an expense to reduce, but as firms redefine themselves in this digital era, we’re seeing the technology strategy become intertwined with business strategy. Yet, very few RIAs have a CTO. As technology and data become central …
The emergence of WealthTech-as-a-Service is redefining the wealth management industry. Now, APIs are shaping the future of financial services by providing access to valuable data, enhancing integration and automation, enabling personalization, supporting scalability, and reducing costs. With the increased availability of data, wealthtech firms can quickly develop new products and connect with different financial systems …
More than 60% of families in the U.S. do not have a plan to protect their loved ones. Estate planning can have several moving parts, and many people get turned off by the process. But, Trust & Will is on a mission to make estate planning simple and affordable—with the end goal to make it …
*Since recording this episode, Onramp Invest has been acquired by Securitize, with a mission to expand alternative asset access for RIAs. The advent of digital assets has led to the development of new financial products with the ability to profoundly change where and how wealth is invested. Fortunately, Onramp is on a mission to bring …
What happens to the wealth management industry when your clients can leave you with a click of a button on their smartphone? Change continues to sweep through the industry, with technology playing a critical role. In order for firms to succeed, they should be focused on future-proofing their practice, which means they need to adapt …
The risk landscape is rapidly evolving, and wealth managers are seeking out new solutions to measure and manage risk for their clients’ investment portfolios. This area of financial planning goes well beyond a risk tolerance number, but, is technology keeping up? In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with risk …
Marc Chaikin didn’t have to come out of retirement, but after watching the 2008 financial crisis unfold around him, he decided to build a technological solution. Based on a 20-factor quantitative model to generate investing ideas, the hope was to build a platform that would make managing money easy for retail investors. It all came …
RIAs have a billing problem. Mainly because the process has always been manual and prone to errors. Enter Smart Kx – the only software system designed specifically to help financial advisors dynamically and accurately manage client contracts and fee billing. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Lacey Shrum, …
When it comes to retirement income planning, an advisor’s role must go beyond getting clients to retirement, it’s also about getting them through retirement. If advisors only concentrate on accumulation and don’t help their clients plan for and support them through decumulation, they’re likely going to lose those clients and all the assets they worked …
The value of protective investments has become more evident as the traditional 60/40 portfolio allocation has continued to become less attractive. Investors are seeking alternatives that will mitigate risk regarding today’s main macro market trends, and advisors must consider a “new model portfolio” that incorporates protective investments as they become more mainstream and accessible. In …
As financial planning becomes more accessible, the U.S. population is looking to become more “financially fit”. Advisors can help clients achieve this by having a deep understanding of their client’s financial situation, risk tolerance, objectives, and preferences. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with CEO and Founder of Asset-Map, …
RIAs who are seeking balance between evolving high-tech solutions with high-touch advisory services may need to consider a tech-forward TAMP. The TAMP model continues to be appealing to advisors because it offloads so much operational work that can take up a significant amount of time. So, how does a firm like GeoWealth support an RIA’ …
After spending years in a suit and tie and feeling held back by technology within the broker-world, Derek Notman, CFP®, made the decision to take his practice completely virtual. While that was back in 2013, he has since designed a tech stack that satisfies the needs not only for his business, but one that his …
From the metaverse to alternative investments, the future of investing is going to look very different. Alternatives have historically been reserved for institutions, as alternative asset managers targeted those who could write the biggest checks. But that’s now starting to change as tech companies look to the retail market, opening up opportunities to wealth managers, …
Investors are looking for more complex advice, so how is technology helping bridge the gap in areas of financial planning that are currently underserved, like estate and tax planning? In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Andrew Altfest, CFP®, CEO and Founder of FP Alpha, to learn how his …
The fixed income market is 30x larger than the equity market, but while 92% of equities trade electronically, fixed income continues to be dominated by voice trades and manual processes. Fortunately, a technological shift is happening as automation is having a profound impact on the fixed income market, with workflow efficiency being top of mind. …
Time. It’s the one thing advisors need more of, and fortunately, Catchlight is on a mission to save advisors time and help them reach their top leads quicker. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Yelena Melamed, Head of Product and Co-Founder, Catchlight Insights LLC, about how financial advisors …
Financial advisors are struggling to meet client demands in a post-pandemic, virtual world. Research shows that investors want more virtual services, and a one-size-fits-all service model does not work anymore. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Rob Roquitte, Founder and CEO of eCIO, which is powered by eVestech, …
To help practices monitor, measure, protect and grow their business, FP Transitions provides a valuation driven by customized benchmarks against 50 to 60 key performance indicators. The end result is enabling wealth managers to achieve their goals for mergers and acquisitions, enterprise development, valuation, and growth. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content …
The SEC’s new marketing rule resulted in sweeping changes to how firms can market themselves and interact with investors. Fortunately, modernization of archaic regulations has seen digital platforms take the lead to meet compliance demands. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Brian Thorp, Founder and CEO of Wealthtender, …
Over the last year, the wealth management industry has faced extraordinary market conditions and macro-economic challenges, causing many firms to reconsider their operational strategies. New technology options and investment opportunities are all disrupting the status quo, so it’s critical to pay attention to the subtle yet dramatic changes happening in the independent wealth space that …
Financial advisors have a plethora of options when it comes to building their tech stack. But, how can they ultimately leverage new technology to deliver a meaningful client experience? In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Jason Pereira, an award-winning financial planner, entrepreneur, and fintech expert, on how every …
Many firms are sitting on a plethora of data, but have struggled to unlock the true value of it all. Integration enables (often disparate) systems to communicate with each other, and data integration is key to delivering high-quality client and advisor experiences. By centralizing all of the data, firms can gain a holistic view and …
What’s in a name? Acting as a “bridge” to better retirement, Pontera enables retirement savers to get help managing their 401(k) from their trusted advisor. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, is joined by Nicole Zheng, CMO of Pontera, to talk about how their secure and seamless platform allows advisors …
The ultimate objective to create an end-to-end, holistic wealth management experience seems simple in theory, but it continues to be difficult for the wealth management industry to execute on. Fortunately, BetaNXT is hyper-focused on solving customers’ most demanding integration challenges with flexible, efficient, connected solutions that anticipate their changing needs. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, …
Summary Bento Engine said it best: Even the best advice, delivered at the wrong time, can fall flat. Financial advice delivered too early – or worse, too late – can have the opposite effect of its intention. In order to truly help their clients, and therefore improve engagement, loyalty and retention, advisors need to offer …
Would you rather walk through 37,000 different financial scenarios with your clients or review a one page sheet simplifying the financial plan? Not to mention having the ability to showcase what really matters to your clients. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, is joined by Carl Richards, chief brand officer …
RIAs need to find ways to continue to be profitable and scale, even when the markets aren’t offering much growth. While technology has advanced in leaps and bounds, with new products and services being introduced every year, advisors still need to utilize the right technology to improve workflows within their business. In this episode, Shannon …
As an advisor, your clients don’t necessarily care about what CRM tool or planning software you use. They care about HOW you use that technology to engage them and help live their best life. In other words, it is time to shift your focus from product-centric to client-centric! In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of …
Technology innovations continue to shake up the wealth management industry. More than ever, advisors need to be aware of the solutions and tools available, and how they’re ultimately impacting the financial planning space. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, is joined by Davis Janowski, Senior Technology Editor at WealthManagement.com. Shannon …
As more individuals enter and approach retirement, the role of a financial advisor is changing rapidly. An increasing number of clients need their advisors to act as “personal risk managers” and focus on downside protection and stability, vs. growth and outperformance. To learn more about this evolution, Mark Bruno, Managing Director of Wealth Management at … Continue reading Rick Bookstaber and Dr. Ashby Monk: The Evolution of Financial Advisors as Risk Managers →
Cryptocurrency is a hot topic with many investors – yet, financial advisors are still in the early stages of learning and navigating the evolving world of crypto and digital assets. Mark Bruno, Managing Director of Wealth Management at Informa, is joined on the WealthStack Podcast by Ben Cruikshank, Head of Flourish, in discussing the growing … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: Ben Cruikshank on the Professionalization of Crypto →
Are investors outpacing advisors in their understanding of crypto and digital assets? 16% of advisors say they recommend bitcoin and other digital assets, yet 24% of American adults own crypto. It’s important for financial advisors to overcome this gap as the number of digital assets in the market continues to grow and the asset class … Continue reading Ric Edelman on Advisors’ “Crypto Knowledge Gap” →
Innovation and adoption of technology are rapidly redefining the way financial advisors work with clients – and are revolutionizing the wealth management industry. One of the most experienced and knowledgeable voices in the wealth management and WealthTech industries — Lori Hardwick, CEO of Red Rock Strategic Partner — stopped by the WealthStack podcast to highlight … Continue reading Lori Hardwick: How Technology is Revolutionizing the Wealth Management Industry →
As technology for the wealth management industry evolves, financial advisors will have more options than ever before to enhance the services – and value – they deliver to clients. Understanding and navigating the readily changing WealthTech landscape can be a challenge for many, however. In this episode of the WealthStack podcast, Carina Diamond, the Chief … Continue reading Dakota’s Carina Diamond: WealthTech’s Impact on the Future of Advice →
Financial advisors often have an impact on the lives of their clients that extends well beyond investment performance. An ability to help clients navigate complex life and financial decisions – which are frequently intertwined – is at the core of any successful advisor’s long-term relationships. But how can you ensure that clients understand the true … Continue reading 3. The Value of Advice: Articulating and Demonstrating Your True “Alpha” with Jamie Hopkins →
Sponsored by: Nationwide While most consumers rely on mobile apps for the majority of their daily purchases and purchases, financial services apps are largely utility functions that occupy a limited portion of investors’ routines and mindshares. Enter Embedded Finance, the next “big disruption” for financial services and wealth management. In this episode of the WealthStack … Continue reading 2. Dani Fava: Why Embedded Finance is a Game-Changer for Financial Advice →
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the financial advice industry essentially became virtual overnight. Advisors and the companies that support them embraced technology like never before and now, roughly 18 months later, the business of advice has experienced it’s most significant period of change ever. Where does the advice industry go from here? In … Continue reading 1. The Evolution of Advice: Joe Duran on the Accelerating Pace of Change in Wealth Management →