Breakaway Briefing

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary The Transition Imperative: Don't Negotiate Your Own Deal This episode from The Gershman Group emphasizes a critical warning to financial advisors: never attempt to negotiate a transition deal with a new firm without expert, independent representation. Transitioning firms is complex, involving significant financial and legal risks that individual advisors...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary The Tug Of War: Banks Versus Financial Advisors! In this episode of "Ask Roger," The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman explores the intensifying battle between large banking/brokerage institutions and their financial advisors over client ownership and loyalty. He argues that while firms attempt to control advisors through structural barriers, the modern f...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Why Would You Ever Consider Leaving Your Firm in a Tough or Bear Market? In this episode of "Ask Roger," The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman challenges the conventional wisdom that advisors should "wait out" a market downturn before transitioning firms. He discusses why, contrary to panic-driven moves of the past, a bear market can actually be an opport...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Private Banking Models Versus Traditional Brokerage Models In this episode of "Ask Roger," The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman analyzes the ongoing philosophical and economical "war" between the two dominant models in high-net-worth wealth management: the Private Banking Model and the Traditional Brokerage Model. The discussion dissects the fundamental...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary CTP or CCCP? Either Way It's a Disaster In this critical episode, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman speaks with prominent securities attorney Brian Neville to address the major pitfalls and increasing risks associated with Merrill Lynch's Client Transition Program (CTP). The discussion provides a sobering analysis of why the CTP program primarily bene...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary $1B Lawsuit - SEC Requires Advisors to Turn Over Personal Cells  This episode discusses the fallout from the massive SEC settlements (totaling nearly $2 billion) against major banks and brokerage firms for failing to properly archive electronic communications, such as text messages and third-party messaging apps (like WhatsApp). Roger Gershman calls this...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Value Of Banks And Brokerage Firms! Ask Roger In this "Ask Roger" segment, Roger Gershman explores the often-overlooked value proposition of remaining at a large bank or brokerage firm, despite the industry's significant shift toward independence. The Value Proposition: Why Stay? Roger acknowledges the "bad rap" wirehouses have received—citing client fee...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary The Value Of Independence! Ask Roger In this "Ask Roger" podcast, Roger Gershman delivers a strong case for why financial advisors should seriously consider moving to the independent model, arguing that the value proposition of banks and brokerage firms has been completely eroded. The Core Argument: Why Independence is Necessary Roger argues that wirehous...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary In this episode, Roger Gershman tackles the common industry perception that financial advisors who leave large wirehouses do so primarily for a large transition bonus (the "check"). Roger Gershman strongly argues that this perception is false. While the large compensation package is a significant factor, it is rarely the primary reason for a move, especia...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Roger Gershman & Vince Fertitta Interview: The Economics of Independence In this episode, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman interviews Vince Fertitta, President of Sanctuary Wealth, a former Divisional Executive at Merrill Lynch. Fertitta provides an in-depth perspective on the "perfect storm" driving top wirehouse advisors (Merrill, Morgan, UBS)...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary A Message to Alex. Brown Advisors: Weighing Your Future Options In this episode, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman provides an urgent message to Alex. Brown advisors whose contracts are nearing their end, urging them to seriously evaluate their career paths amidst the firm's ongoing integration into the wider Raymond James system. Gershman outlines th...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Securities Attorney Roggie Dunn on the JPMorgan/First Republic Contract In this critical episode, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman speaks with prominent securities attorney Roggie Dunn to address the major legal concerns of First Republic advisors regarding the employment contract mandated by JPMorgan following the acquisition. The discussion provide...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Independence Achieved: The 33-Year Breakaway from Merrill Lynch to mFORCE Capital In this episode, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman interviews Bradley Bruce, the founder of mFORCE Capital, who ended an impressive 33-year career at Merrill Lynch to launch his independent RIA. Bruce discusses his career origins as a "cold call cowboy" and how he flouri...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Making The Most Out Of Independence with Roger Gershman & Kevin McCluskey In this insightful episode, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman speaks with Kevin McCluskey of Castle Island Family Office. Kevin shares his unique journey through multiple transitions: from traditional banks (Wachovia/Wells Fargo) to an investment bank (Deutsche Bank/Alex Bro...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Industry Titan Goes RIA: Haig Ariyan on the Future of Advisor Independence In this pivotal episode of The Breakaway Briefing, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman interviews industry titan Haig Ariyan, the former President and CEO of Alex. Brown and Head of Deutsche Bank Wealth Management in the Americas, who has launched Arax Investment Partners with Re...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Disrupting Wealth: Rob Sechan on Alternative Investments and Building a Top RIA In this strategic episode of The Breakaway Briefing, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman sits down with industry disruptor Rob Sechan, CEO and Co-Founder of NewEdge Wealth. They dive deep into the challenges and opportunities within the alternative investment space, revealin...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Protecting Your Interests: Barry R. Lax on Deferred Compensation Legal Battles The financial advisory industry is currently navigating a surge of legal actions, with major firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and U.S. Bancorp facing lawsuits related to deferred compensation and ERISA violations. In this crucial episode of The Breakaway Briefing, The...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary The Powerful Shift to Independence: Tim Bello on the Future of Wealth Management The financial services industry is in constant flux, and top-tier advisors are increasingly seeking true ownership, scale, and strategic alignment to future-proof their practices. In this essential episode of The Breakaway Briefing, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman sits...

🎙️ The Breakaway Briefing: Episode Summary Building The Future of Wealth Management - With Stan Gregor   The industry is undergoing a foundational shift: the future belongs to advisors who prioritize true partnership, ownership, and independence. In this essential episode of The Breakaway Briefing, The Gershman Group CEO Roger Gershman sits down with Stan Gregor, CEO of Summit. Stan, who spent nea...