The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors

An annual digest for financial advisors with hosts Louis Diamond and Jason Diamond Overview A compendium of the best advice from top advisors on eliminating limitations and bureaucracy, fostering growth, maximizing business value, and ensuring your firm is the right place for your clients and business for the long term.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The...

A Special Industry Update with Mindy Diamond and Louis Diamond Overview A review of the most influential trends that impacted advisors in 2023, plus predictions and actionable guidance for 2024 to help advisors think more strategically and set longer-term goals to grow, protect, and future-proof their businesses.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views...

With Steve Lockshin – Entrepreneur and Founder of Vanilla and AdvicePeriod Overview Steve Lockshin, founder of AdvicePeriod, Vanilla, and others, offers a unique perspective on how an advisor’s entrepreneurial DNA can drive their ability to serve clients and grow untethered, particularly in the independent space.    Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views...

With Chris Cooke and Brian Cooke – Cooke Financial Group Overview What motivated this $1.6B multi-generational Wells Fargo team to leave the wirehouse world for supported independence with a relatively unknown broker dealer? It’s a candid conversation with Chris and Brian Cooke of Cooke Financial about how their desire for greater freedom and control, coupled with support and resources, drove thei...

With Matthew Celenza, Founder and Managing Partner at Boulevard Family Wealth Overview Wirehouse advisors often wonder what they are missing as they watch peers and colleagues break away to the independent space. Matt Celenza was once that guy. He believed he had access to everything his UHNW clients needed—until his move revealed just how much more he could do with true open architecture to impro...

A conversation with Mark Copeland, Founder, Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA) & Ben Prigal, Vice President of Reverence Capital Partners Overview Mark Copeland, Founder of Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA) and Ben Prigal, Vice President of Reverence Capital Partners, discuss the value of partnership between private equity and RIAs. SEIA built a $19B practice org...

A conversation with Ghislain Gouraige, Partner, NewEdge Wealth Overview Ghislain Gouraige, a 15-year UBS veteran and former esteemed leader of the firm’s Private Wealth Advisory Council, kept his head down and built an extraordinary $3B business. Then, he started to see the potential outside of UBS, sharing, “You can’t unsee what you’ve seen.” That turning point led the self-proclaimed “UBS cultur...

A conversation with Richard Lofgren, Managing Director – Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions Overview It was big news when Goldman Sachs announced their custody offering, turning the heads of top advisors looking to leverage the Goldman name in their leap to independence. In this episode, Richard Lofgren, the Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions, provides inside baseball, including how...

A conversation with Louis Diamond Overview Mindy Diamond and Louis Diamond share ideas from 25 years of experience to help advisors navigate the daunting process of transition and advice on how to better cope with what can feel like a tumultuous ride.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their...

A conversation with Matthew Murphy, CEO, Partner and Rebecca Baker, COO, Partner – Marble Wealth Overview Matthew Murphy and Rebecca Baker of Marble Wealth discuss their choice to leave UBS and opt for independence early in their careers, the impact of signing on to the firm’s retire-in-place program ALFA, their age as a competitive advantage, and much more.   Listen in… > Download...

A conversation with Scott Shagrin, Ira Ravitz, and Lisa Westermark, Co-Founders of Beverly Hills Private Wealth Overview The founders of Beverly Hills Private Wealth discuss their motivations to leave Merrill after building a billion-dollar business, their transition to independence and experience as one of the first RIAs to choose Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions as their custodian.   Listen...

A conversation with Louis Diamond and Jason Diamond Overview With 2023 mega-advisor moves already outpacing 2022, this episode explores case studies to answer: What was needle-moving enough to leave the firms where they built phenomenal businesses? What can we all learn from this activity? What is the impact on recruiting and the industry at large? And more…   Listen in… > Download...

A conversation with the Industry Visionary from Orion Advisor Solutions Overview The outgoing CEO of the wealthtech powerhouse shares his journey from the founding of Orion, the firm’s growth over the years, and perspectives on the future of wealth management, technology and AI, and much more.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions express...

A conversation with Jack Petersen, Managing Partner and Advisor at Summit Trail Advisors Overview The Barclays breakaway discusses his 2015 landmark leap with 5 partners, 3 offices, and $3B in AUM, plus shares why he feels UHNW clients are best served in independence, what they do to drive extraordinary growth, and much more.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOT...

A conversation with the Senior Executive Vice President, CEO of Wealth & Investment Management, Wells Fargo & Company Overview Rare access to one of the top-of-the-food-chain leaders who discusses the direction of Wells, how it compares to its peers, the value to HNW and UHNW clients, a perspective on recruiting and the ideal advisor type, the future of the industry, and much more.  ...

A Special Industry Update with Louis Diamond and Jason Diamond Overview In an active recruiting environment, advisors are eager to understand where deals are at and where they’re headed. Beyond a transition deal, how can advisors monetize their business over time – thinking about the short-, mid- and long-term – whether they are in an employee or independent model?   Listen in… > Do...

A conversation with Evan Mayer – Founder and CEO of Fortuna Wealth Overview Evan Mayer started in the bank channel and, over time, came to the realization that he could do more to support his clients and grow the business in the independent model. Evan proved that by growing more than 3x in just 4 years.   Listen in… Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions ex...

A Special Industry Update with Louis Diamond Overview Private equity firms are showing an enhanced interest in wirehouse breakaways, investing directly in these teams on day one. Learn what’s driving this new trend, which teams are most appealing, how it will impact movement, and more.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by th...

A conversation with Marc Horner, Wealth Advisor and Founder of Fairhaven Wealth Management Overview Marc Horner discusses how his leap to independence allowed him to think and act more creatively, connect with clients and prospects on a new level, and ultimately grow his business in ways he could not in the wirehouse world.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE:...

A conversation with Caitlin Douglas, Director, Head of Transition Services – Dynasty Financial Partners Overview Caitlin Douglas, the head of transition services at Dynasty, shares details about transitioning to independence. What advisors need to know about the supported independence model, tips on preparing for a move, key milestones, and much more.   Listen in… > Download a trans...

A conversation with Andy Ferguson, founder and CEO of Proquility Private Wealth Partners Overview As a former Merrill ACTM chairperson, Andy Ferguson had an acute view of the changes taking place at the firm. He shares how that influenced his decision to opt for independence over Merrill’s retire-in-place program CTP and more.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NO...

A Conversation with the Founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals Overview One of the most influential people in the financial planning and investment management profession discusses what fueled his firm’s growth, the importance of financial education, the value of embracing technology, and more.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The...

A conversation with Louis Diamond Overview Independence allows advisors to create an unlimited menu of innovative value-add services for their clients. And as the industry landscape expands, employee advisors are finding ways to get in on the action. Learn specific examples of the various services offered by some of the industry’s leading independent firms.   Listen in… > Download a...

A conversation with the CEO of FiComm Partners, LLC Overview Growing a sustainable wealth management business relies on attracting new clients while engaging current ones. The leader of the award-winning integrated marketing firm shares advice on what it takes to impact organic growth via marketing.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions e...

A conversation with Craig Savage—Partner, Wealth Advisor, William Blair Overview Craig Savage shares his journey from Goldman Sachs to Credit Suisse, why joining William Blair ultimately won out over launching an RIA, how finding the right culture has enhanced his team’s growth, and much more.   Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions express...