Wealth Management – In the Money

How Technology is Revolutionizing IRAs with Brian Hamburger (Ep. 22)

By In the Money | March 21, 2025

Are you keeping pace with the rapidly changing landscape of independent financial advice? If your practice isn’t evolving, you might be left in the dust.

In this episode, Rusty Sommer sits down with Brian Hamburger, JD, CRCP, President and CEO of MarketCounsel, to explore the ever-evolving world of independent advisors. Brian shares his insights on evolving business models, the impact of technology, and what advisors need to know about current industry trends. Tune in to find out how innovation is reshaping client relationships and what the future holds for regulatory changes.

Brian discusses:

(02:05) The importance of creating a community for CEOs and founders in wealth management
(02:49) Key takeaways and themes from this year’s conference
(05:38) The evolving landscape for independent advisors and emerging opportunities
(07:00) How technology and pandemic-driven changes are reshaping advisor-client dynamics
(08:42) Navigating regulatory changes under shifting political landscapes
(13:32) Market Council’s role in supporting RIAs
(15:08) Predictions for the financial regulatory environment in 2025

Connect with Brian Hamburger:

Connect with Rusty Sommer:

About our Guest:

Brian Hamburger, JD, CRCP, is the founder, president and CEO of MarketCounsel Consulting, the leading business and regulatory compliance consultancy to the country’s preeminent entrepreneurial independent investment advisors. Brian is also the founder and chief counsel of the Hamburger Law Firm, a boutique law firm with its practice in virtually all areas related to the investment and securities industry, entrepreneurial and employment matters. The MarketCounsel companies and the Hamburger Law Firm reflect Brian’s unrelenting entrepreneurial drive and genuine desire to provide an unparalleled combination of preeminent counsel and uncompromising service to the wealth management profession. Hamburger is also the president of MarketCounsel Productions, a company that has built community within the wealth management profession by hosting events such as The MarketCounsel Summit, MarketCounsel Supper Clubs and MarketCounsel After-Hours. The MarketCounsel Summit is the industry’s capstone event of the year and a forum for debate and dialogue on some of the most critical issues facing leaders of wealth management firms.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

The Power of Partnerships in Wealth Management with Andree Mohr (Ep. 21)

By In the Money | March 6, 2025

Are you ready to take center stage in financial advice? Discover what it takes to make true partnerships and community-building the cornerstone of your business strategy.

In this episode, Rusty Sommer sits down with Andree Mohr, President of Integrated Partners, at the Market Counsel Conference in Las Vegas. They discuss the art of collaboration between financial advisors and CPAs, detailing how Integrated Partners is redefining success through strategic partnerships and community support. Andree shares insights on how they empower advisors to connect deeper with their clients, streamline operations with technology, and foster a vibrant, collaborative environment. As the conversation unfolds, you’ll learn about their innovative approach to advisor support, including leveraging AI for strategic planning and the power of community building.

Rusty and Andree discuss:

(01:38) Their approach to advisor support and community building
(03:01) Unleashing advisor growth through partnerships with CPAs
(05:15) How Integrated Partners helps advisors achieve significant growth
(09:37) The importance of partnership in the financial industry
(21:45) Attracting new clients and expanding services with CPA partnerships

Connect with Andree Mohr:

Connect with Rusty Sommer:

About our Guest:

As the president of Integrated Partners, Andree Mohr serves as a driven leader, visionary, and implementor for the organization.

Her mission is to bring simplification to the financial advice industry and create a sustainable path of success for financial advisors, their support staff, management teams, and CPA partners.

Her adept workflows and nimble judgment have proven instrumental in creating a culture of innovation, efficiency, and collaboration. She skillfully leverages these capabilities to oversee Integrated’s day-to-day operations, drive the firm’s key objectives, and ensure the consistent and healthy growth of the organization.

A particular passion of hers is helping Integrated’s entrepreneurial-minded financial advisors implement strategic operations that foster practice growth and optimization to bring their business visions to fruition. Through Integrated’s nationally renowned 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 the co-author of the exclusive book Center Stage: How to Become the Star of Your Practice with colleagues Matt Ackermann and Paul Saganey. The book focuses on operational, team-building, and business processing efficiencies to help empower advisors to streamline their practices. The result: advisors have a roadmap to grow their business, leave a lasting legacy, and ultimately provide a boutique, concierge, and memorable experience for their clients.

She graduated from Northeastern University, where she excelled in their experiential learning programs. She has been supporting advisors in various capacities for the last 13 years and truly enjoys watching them realize their goals.

Outside of the office, her favorite pastimes include cherished moments with her husband and their twin daughters, passionately cheering on the New England Patriots, traveling to her favorite destinations, and supporting charitable causes that are important to her.

For those interested in talking football or discussing what it’s like bringing advisors onto the most open-architecture, independent, growth-oriented advisor partnership platform in existence, she can be reached at andree.peterson@integrated-partners.com.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Today’s Technology Trends In Wealth Management with Joel Bruckenstein (Ep. 20)

By In the Money | February 27, 2025

How will embracing technology today redefine financial advising tomorrow?

In this episode, Rusty Sommer speaks with Joel Bruckenstein, a leading voice in financial technology, to explore the transformative power of today’s tech landscape. As the founder of the T3 conferences, Joel provides first-hand insights into technology trends reshaping financial advisory services. Dive deep into discussions on real innovation versus incremental evolution, and how these shifts impact the industry. Discover why staying ahead with AI and automation isn’t just beneficial but essential for growth and client satisfaction.

Joel discusses:

(00:57) The evolution and implementation of technology in wealth management
(03:01) What truly defines innovation in financial technology
(05:20) Key highlights and themes of the upcoming T3 2025 Conference
(06:45) Strategies for organic growth using improved workflows and tech adoption
(08:58) Evaluating new technologies and making informed decisions
(10:42) Impact of AI and machine learning on client advisory
(14:05) Preparing financial firms for future innovations
(16:42) Predictions and trends for the wealth tech industry by 2025

Connect with Joel Bruckenstein:

Connect with Rusty Sommer:

About our Guest:

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

How Technology is Shaping the Future of Wealth Management with Tony Stich (Ep. 17)

By In the Money | January 15, 2025

Will AI transform wealth management overnight?

In this episode, Rusty Sommer speaks with Tony Stich from MarketCounsel about the fascinating insights and key takeaways from the latest industry summit. Dive into the world of asset management as they explore how technology and AI are reshaping the industry, the significance of real-time curriculum changes, and the introduction of fresh faces and ideas in finance.

Tony and Rusty discuss:

(03:03) The evolution of summit topics for real-time impact
(05:35) The role of AI in improving asset management strategies
(06:44) Challenges and opportunities in planning for investor longevity
(09:27) The importance of collaboration and networking in finance
(12:32) Innovations and the rapid pace of technological development
(13:22) Predictions for wealth management trends in 2025

Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on the future of wealth tech and discover how the industry’s shifts can enhance your professional approach.

Connect with Tony Stich:

Connect with Rusty Sommer:

About our Guest:

Tony is an industry speaker, consultant, trusted advisor, and active investor that specializes in GTM strategies — with a heavy emphasis on marketing — for financial services firms, RIAs, and FinTech companies.

Published in numerous global outlets including the Journal of Financial Planning, Wealthmanagement.com, Investopedia, US News & World Report, and ThinkAdvisor as well as being featured on Reuters, FinTech TV, Financial Advisor IQ, Asset TV, and InvestmentNews, Stich is an award-winning thought leader in the FinTech space, providing compelling statistics, a thought-provoking perspective, and much-needed humor to a rapidly-evolving industry.

He is currently Executive Managing Director of MarketCounsel — the leading business and regulatory compliance consultancy to the country’s preeminent independent investment advisers throughout all stages of their lifecycle.

Before this, he spent most of his career in the WealthTech industry with his latest role serving as Chief Revenue Officer for Entrustody — a modern, digital-first custodial platform. Prior, he was at InvestCloud which acquired Advicent, the global financial planning software developer of NaviPlan, Profiles, and Figlo. There as Chief Operating Officer, he led North American Sales, Marketing, Professional Services, Customer Success, and Support ultimately netting him recognition by Wealthmanagement.com as Chief Marketing Officer of the Year (2021) and obtaining the inaugural ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES Executive Leadership Award (2021).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

The Winning Edge: Private Equity’s Influence in Wealth Strategies (Ep. 14)

By In The Money | May 10, 2024

What factors are driving the continuing evolution of wealth management?

In this episode, we dive into the world of private equity with industry insiders!

Explore the impactful role of private equity in the wealth management sector in this engaging episode of ‘In the Money,’ sponsored by Flyer Financial Technologies. Host Rusty Sommer sits down with Lori Hardwick, Strategic Advisor at Genstar Capital, and Noreen Beaman, Head of Leadership Development at East Bay Executive Coaching. They explore how private equity is reshaping the industry, enhancing business strategies to drive growth and efficiency.

Key Highlights:

Strategic Infusion: Lori Hardwick discusses how private equity boosts financial metrics like EBITDA and encourages firms to outsource, sharpening their focus on core competencies
Capital for Innovation: Noreen sheds light on the essential support from private equity, providing capital and strategic partnerships that enhance adaptability in a volatile market
Impact of Executive Coaching: Explore the critical role of leadership development in adapting to rapid changes in the wealth management field, facilitated by executive coaching
Outsourcing for Efficiency: Gain insights into the growing trend of outsourcing backend operations to improve operational efficiency
Leadership in Transformation: Learn about the importance of effective communication and robust partnerships in managing global teams and maintaining a competitive edge.
And much more!

Connect with Lori Hardwick:

Connect with Noreen Beaman

Connect with Rusty Sommer:

About Lori Hardwick:

Lori is a member of Genstar Capital’s Strategic Advisory Board and advises the firm in the financial services industry. She brings more than 25 years of experience of working in the financial industry as a prominent voice and is known for her intense passion for continuous improvement in the financial advisory industry. As CEO of WealthTech at RedRock Strategic Partners LLC, Lori works directly with C-suite level executives at some of the largest financial services companies, to help them create, and execute against, winning growth strategies and to improve the overall experiences for advisors and their clients. She has expertise in investment, technology, distribution and advisory solutions and is a regular speaker at industry events. Lori received a BA from The Ohio State University and graduated from the Executive MBA Program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

About Noreen Beaman:

Noreen D. Beaman is the Vice Chair of Orion’s Board of Directors. She most recently served as President of Orion Advisor Solutions following Orion’s 2020 merger with Brinker Capital. Prior to the merger, Noreen was CEO at Brinker Capital where she helped advisors and their clients build better outcomes for over 30 years. Noreen has received numerous accolades for her lasting impact on the financial advice industry including Philadelphia Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO, InvestmentNews’ 2017 Women to Watch, and Greater Philadelphia’s Entrepreneur of the Year, alongside Chuck Widger in the financial services category by EY.

Noreen received her Bachelor of Science from Saint Peter’s University. She earned the CPA designation in New Jersey and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. As an industry leader, Noreen is passionate about supporting culture, women, and diversity in the workplace. She is a mentor for the Money Management Institute’s Leadership Pathway, which connects members of the next generation with industry veterans to further enhance the mentee’s knowledge and insights surrounding the investment advisory industry. Noreen is an active contributor and frequently participates in panels to discuss the importance of women and greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in wealth management.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Tech-Savvy Wealth Management: Adapting to Industry Changes (Ep. 12)

By In the Money | April 3, 2024

Can technology bridge the gap for smaller wealth management firms in a competitive market?

Join Rusty Sommer and special guest Chuck Fialla from Sovereign Financial in this insightful episode of ‘In the Money,’ where they explore the pivotal role of technology in transforming small and mid-sized wealth management firms. Understanding the role of portfolio management and trading technology / automation allowed his firm to serve more clients successfully. With his rich background in financial planning and asset management, Chuck details his journey from a humble beginning as a cold caller to leading the successful RIA, Sovereign Financial.

Key Highlights:

Journey to Success: Trace Chuck’s evolution in finance, from cold caller to an advocate for the RIA space, and his contributions to Investment News and Go RIA
Smaller Firms, Bigger Challenges: Dive into the specific challenges small to mid-sized firms face in asset and wealth management, including resource allocation and competition
Tech Alignment with Mission: Understand the importance of aligning technology with a firm’s core mission, including Chuck’s experiences and the value of setting clear goals
Data Management Excellence: Gain insights into the critical role of a ‘single source of truth’ for scaling businesses effectively in wealth management while leveraging the API economy and real time position stores
Customized Portfolio Design: Discover how Sovereign Financial uses portfolio management technology to create tailored portfolios for each client
From Manual to Tech-Driven: Explore the transition from traditional methods to advanced technological solutions to drive organic growth, and the challenges involved in this transformation
Building Lasting Relationships: Realize the importance of accurate data and nurturing relationships with clients and their families for future generations
And much more!

Connect with Charles “Chuck” Failla, CFP®:

Connect with Rusty Sommer:

About Charles “Chuck” Failla, CFP®:

Chuck understands the importance of working as a Fiduciary and uses those standards to oversees the financial planning and investment management work done at Sovereign Financial.

As a Board Certified Financial Planning™ practitioner, Chuck understands that shepherding a client’s financial and retirement plan requires more than simply “picking investments”. Instead, he applies his experience as a CFP® professional to coordinate all aspects of a client’s financial picture: goals, investments, taxes, liabilities, and estate / legacy planning. By following this disciplined approach, he is able to ensure all aspects of a client’s financial and estate planning needs are properly coordinated and continuously monitored.

In addition to working with clients, Chuck is a regular speaker and commentator on financial topics and has been featured in Forbes, The New York Daily News, Reuters, CBS Market Watch and numerous other media outlets. Chuck is also committed to the financial planning community and advancing the cause of financial literacy. To that end, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association of Connecticut as the Chairperson of their Pro Bono / Public Outreach Committee. Chuck is also active in the National Financial Planning Association, American Mensa and other non-profits in the CT & NYC Metro area.

Chuck received his degree in Finance from The University of Connecticut and completed his coursework for the CFP® certification with The American College. He resides in North Stamford, CT with his wife, two children and their Black Lab and cats. In his spare time, Chuck enjoys all things outdoors — on the weekends you will find him with his family hiking, camping, skiing, boating or just enjoying the trees while grilling in the backyard.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Integrating Options in High Net Worth Portfolios with Brett Kunshek (Ep. 10)

By In the Money | October 30, 2023

Join Rusty Sommer from Flyer Financial Technologies and Brett Kunshek of Mariner Wealth Advisors in this episode as they dive into the nuanced world of options. They cast away myths about its risks and highlight its potential, especially for high net worth clients. Discover how the wealthy use options as sophisticated financial instruments.

Key points covered in the episode:

How wealth advisors are redefining their approach to derivatives
Why option strategies are the new buzz in today’s turbulent market
How to integrate technology that maximizes options strategies
Discover who stands to gain the most from options-based strategies
The art and science of asset managers striking that golden balance
The secret sauce behind captivating today’s informed clients and attracting fresh ones
Unveiling how options can uplift your cash flow, fortify assets, and supercharge returns
And more – take a peek inside!

Connect with Brett Kunshek:

Connect with Rusty Sommer:

About our Brett Kunshek:

Brett Kunshek, CFA, leads the Options and Structured Notes division at Mariner Wealth Advisors. Before Mariner, he was at the helm of 440 Investment Group, a firm specialized in option investments, which Mariner later acquired. Brett has a history in risk management from his time at Protiviti and holds degrees from Pittsburg State University and the University of Kansas. He’s also an active member of both the CFA Institute and the Kansas City Society of Financial Analysts, blending hands-on practice with theoretical knowledge in finance.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

The Future of TAMPs with Morningstar’s Daniel Needham (Ep. 7)

By In the Money | November 16, 2022

From giving time back to advisors, to reaping the benefits of outsourcing, there’s no denying the advantages of a TAMP. As the industry’s gold standard for data and research, not to mention 2022’s top TAMP of the year, the team at Morningstar’s Wealth Management Solutions knows a thing or two about building a wealth management platform.

In this week’s episode, Daniel Needham, president of Wealth Management Solutions, joins Shannon Rosic to discuss TAMP trends. Daniel shares some of Morningstar’s data, research, and insights with listeners so they can build investment solutions for their clients.

Daniel discusses:

The biggest threats to the TAMP industry
The latest trends in TAMPs and wealth management platforms
Why Morningstar chose to invest in the Wealth Management Solutions group
Rolling out Morningstar Direct Indexing
And more

Resources:

Morningstar

Connect with Daniel Needham:

LinkedIn: Daniel Needham

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

About our Guest:

Daniel Needham, CFA, is the president of Morningstar’s Wealth Management Solutions. After the recent acquisition, he also oversees the U.K. and international business of Praemium and their core products, which were re-branded to Morningstar Wealth Platform and Wealthcraft, a Morningstar company.

Prior to his current role, Needham served as president and global chief investment officer since 2015 for Morningstar’s Investment Management group. In 2013, Needham stepped into the global chief investment officer role for the Investment Management group, and he also assumed responsibility for Morningstar’s investment management operations in Europe. Previously, Needham was chief investment officer and managing director for Investment Management in Asia-Pacific.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

The Future of Wealth and Investment Management with Chip Roame (Ep. 6)

By In the Money | October 19, 2022

What does the future of wealth and investment management look like?

In this episode Chip Roame, Founder and Managing Partner of Tiburon Strategic Partners and the Tiburon CEO Summits, breaks down the top five trends he’s following in the wealth and investment management industry.

Chip also shares insight into whether these trends are here to stay, and how they should ultimately inform advisors when it comes to growing their business.

Chip discusses:

The five trends in the investment and wealth management industry
How Tiburon Strategic Partners conducts their research
Why advisors should focus on Gen Xers as the most prominent investors of the future
How advisors can consider other segments in their business if they want long-term growth
And more

Resources:

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn – Chip Roame

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

About our Guest:

Chip Roame is the Founder & Managing Partner of Tiburon Strategic Advisors and the Tiburon CEO Summits, and a leading strategic advisor to CEOs, other senior executives, & boards of directors in the wealth & investment management (and WealthTech) markets. Prior to forming Tiburon in 1998, Mr. Roame served in similar capacities, first as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, and later as a business strategist at The Charles Schwab Corporation.

Mr. Roame has responsibility for all of Tiburon’s advisory, research, service, & marketing activities which keeps him on the leading edge of strategic initiatives in the industry’s fastest-growing businesses – registered investment companies (mutual funds & exchange traded funds (ETFs)), direct indexing, managed account programs, hedge funds & liquid alternatives, cryptocurrencies (digital assets), structured products, sustainable investing (ESG), financial, tax, & estate planning, annuities & life insurance, discount & online brokerage, online advice firms (robo advisors), traditional financial advisor channels, break-away brokers, the independent advisor markets, wealth management marketing & LeadGen, wealth management technology & turnkey asset management programs (TAMPs), and wealth manager succession planning & acquisitions.

Mr. Roame has been the host and keynote speaker at the semi-annual Tiburon CEO Summits since their inception in 2001, the key speaker at Tiburon’s weekly Tiburon Webinars, and is the author of over 3,000 Tiburon Written Research topics & profiles.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Making a Case for an API-Connected Ecosystem with Craig Iskowitz (Ep.4)

By In the Money | August 10, 2022

APIs (Application Programming Interface) have improved the workflow of businesses in many industries by bridging the gap between different software and allowing them to communicate with each other. When it comes to the wealth management industry, accurate, timely, and seamless data exchange is table stakes. So, what does an API-enabled future look like?

In this episode, Craig Iskowitz, CEO and founder of Ezra Group, discusses:

What is an API
How APIs have transformed the wealth management industry
Why it is important to have more transparent and well-designed APIs
How to ensure platform security while using APIs
Things to consider when evaluating a vendor’s API stack
And more!

Resources:

Wealth Tech Today Podcast with Craig Iskowitz

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Craig Iskowitz:

About Our Guest:

Craig Iskowitz is a business and technology strategy consultant who is a recognized expert on fee-based advisory platforms and wealth management technology. He is the CEO and founder of Ezra Group, a strategy consulting firm providing technology and business advice to banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, and private equity and fintech firms.

In addition to providing customized solutions to the wealth management industry, Craig publishes WTToday, a blog offering the latest insight on technology for wealth, asset, and investment management professionals.

Craig is also the host of the Wealth Tech Today podcast, where he discusses, dissects, and debates the latest news and trends in wealth management technology.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More