The InvestmentNews Podcast

Schwab’s chief global investment strategist Jeffrey Kleintop joins Jeff Benjamin and Bruce Kelly to chat about the global markets and how they’ll react to the U.S. elections, the ongoing pandemic and Black Friday. Liz Skinner also joins to share the winners of the 2020 Women to Watch Awards.

It seems as if overnight the retirement plan adviser mergers and acquisition market exploded, fueled in part by a flood of private equity money. Why is it happening now, what are the valuations and why are they so high? Get insightful commentary and direction on the hot RPA M&A market from Fred Barstein and Dick Darian, two of the industry’s foremost experts, and learn whether it’s time to test th...

Jeff Benjamin gets a makeover! For his portfolio, that is. Christine Benz of Morningstar hosts an annual portfolio makeover, and this year Jeff took part to learn about it, and act as a guinea pig. Hear his lessons learned. Jeff and Bruce Kelly also host their colleague, Stephen Lamb, to go behind the scenes of the inspiring 2020 ESG Film Festival, which took place virtually on Dec. 3.

Patrick Mahoney, new CEO of the Financial Planning Association, joins Jeff and Bruce for a frank conversation about the challenges and opportunities ahead for the FPA, the future of financial planning, and his career path thus far.

Host Fred Barstein has an in-depth conversation with Mark Cover from MassMutual and John Carl from the Retirement Learning Center about their new idea for a Chief Governance Officer role. Would it add to the fiduciary load and does it provide revenue opportunities?

In this review of the troubling year behind us, InvestmentNews staffers join Jeff and Bruce to share personal stories of challenges overcome, lessons learned and what everyone is looking forward to next year. From becoming woke to hitting a black bear and learning the thrilling and scary news that one is expecting during a pandemic, our staff members open up about their unique trials and triumphs...

Mark Bruno joins Jeff and Bruce to kick off 2021 with a detailed look at mergers and acquisitions in the RIA space, including trends, outlooks, private equity and tips for sellers

Bob Doll’s annual predictions are a highlight during the turn from one year to the next. On this week’s episode, Bob joins Jeff and Bruce for a solid conversation breaking down not only his 2021 predictions, but his own story and his Nostradamus batting average.

After writing a cover story on cyberthreats, Bruce Kelly invites Nick Harness on the pod to discuss the recent SolarWinds security breach and cybersecurity for IBDs. Jeff Benjamin and Bruce also discuss political campaign donations being cut off in the wake of the Capitol insurrection.

D.C. correspondent Mark Schoeff Jr. joins Bruce and Jeff to look at the full impact of the Biden/Harris administration on the advisory business. What will change quickly, what won’t, and what happens to Reg BI? Then Emile Hallez shares insights from the RPA Convergence events.

Paul Schatz, founder of Heritage Capital, joins Jeff and Bruce to explain the nuances of the GameStop saga that has gripped the investing community and the United States at large. There are reasons beyond just a Reddit group for the wild action, and Paul goes through all of them. Robb Baldwin, CEO of TradePMR, tell his personal story of dealing with a challenging merger and how it relates to the s...

Tyler Gellasch from Healthy Markets joins Jeff and Bruce to discuss what the potential regulatory fallout will be from the recent social media-fueled trading frenzy. As Jeff says, the politicians have their meat hooks into it, so what comes next? Bruce Bond, a 2021 Innovator Award honoree, also joins to discuss his career in the ETF space.

Rick Ferri joins to discuss his latest call for a change in adviser fees. Is charging 1% of AUM fair to clients? Attorney Jason Kane discusses his firm’s class-action lawsuit against embattled GPB Capital. Will investors see their money again?

Les Brun, co-founder of Ariel Alternatives, shares his vision for “Project Black,” the firm’s initiative to invest in middle-market companies to scale the number of minority-owned businesses. InvestmentNews’ own Emile Hallez joins to discuss HSAs, their potential benefits for clients and how advisers can work with them.

Jeff and Bruce delve into the murky world of Bitcoin. Chris Kuiper from CFRA sets Bruce and Jeff on the path to crypto enlightenment. They may not be “hodling” by the end of the episode, but you’ll learn some of the basic, but interesting details, why it works and whether crypto ETFs make any sense. Bruce and Jeff have also have a lively discussion about the sale of Wells Fargo Asset Management to...

Nathan Parkins of MoLei Financial and Fincap Advisors joins Jeff and Bruce to discuss the very real business of cannabis investing. The wide-ranging conversation covers the difference between marijuana, hemp and CBD, how to invest, the outlook for the industry, and how to talk to clients about it. Bruce and Jeff also chat about Bruce’s recent cover on RIA roll-ups.

Kurt Wolfe, securities attorney with Troutman Pepper, discusses the final updated rules from the SEC on adviser marketing. The rule hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years, so Jeff, Bruce and Kurt have plenty to discuss, including what is allowed under the new guidelines and differences for brokers vs. advisers.

‘There is no such thing as ESG investing … it’s an analytical tool,’ says Erika Karp, chief impact officer at Pathstone, and not utilizing it will hurt your investing in the long run. Erika chats with Jeff and Bruce about all things ESG investing, impact, and why it’s important for advisers to go beyond the labels. Nicole Casperson joins to discuss SPACs and why so many celebrities are hitching th...

Susan Antilla has spent more than 25 years writing about and exposing sexual harassment and discrimination on Wall Street. She joins the pod today to talk to Jeff and Bruce about her stellar career, her work, and progress made. InvestmentNews CEO Christine Shaw makes her long-awaited debut on the pod to discuss her work towards gender equality through her own stewardship of InvestmentNews, as well...

Many retail investors do not know the difference between an equal-weight index and a cap-weighted index. Michael Willis, CEO of Index Funds, explains why the difference matters, and why as an adviser you may want to consider adding some equal-weighted products to your portfolios. Shannon McLay, founder of Financial Gym, joins to share her story of founding the disruptive and influential startup lo...

Emile Hallez joins for a deep discussion on all things pooled employer plans. What role do PEPs play in the landscape, who uses them, the impact on RPAs, and more.

The recent passing of ‘the baddest broker of all time,’ Bernie Madoff, reminds us that one bad broker can bring ruin to a firm. Ben Edwards, law professor at UNLV, joins to discuss the ‘one bad broker’ rule and more. Amy Domini also chats with Jeff and Bruce about her historic career as one of the originals of ESG and why the overnight rise of ESG isn’t so overnight.

With Jeff ‘planting trees’ on Earth Day, guest host Liz Skinner steps in to chat with Bruce and guest Dennis Gallant of Aite Group about Bruce’s annual IBD report card. This year’s theme? Fees. Commission to fee-only, fee erosion and how this affects wirehouses.

Sean Allocca and Nicole Casperson look at the reasons many advisers are cautious when it comes to digital assets and the disconnect between client interest and adviser willingness. Hannah Moore joins Jeff and Bruce as well to give a one-year update on the FPA's resoundingly successful externship program implemented in response to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

D.C. expert and policy wonk Mark Schoeff Jr. joins Bruce and Jeff to discuss the details of Biden’s three big initiatives so far, The American Rescue, Jobs, and Families plans. The trio debate the merits of spending trillions to help Americans, and the tax ramifications. Nico Marais, CEO of Wells Fargo Asset Management, also joins to share his vision for the firm as it embarks in a new direction p...