The InvestmentNews Podcast

Episode Notes Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson joins guest host Ryan W. Neal at the Technology Tools for Today conference. She shares her impressions of her first T3, where she appeared in a fireside chat with T3 president Joel Bruckenstein discussing her firm’s latest technology, as well as on a panel on increasing diversity in the industry. The duo also discuss their love of skiing and snowb...

Episode Notes At the Technology Tools for Today conference, guest host Ryan W. Neal sits down with Dani Fava, head of strategic development at Envestnet. After discussing the most interesting meals they had in Denton, Texas, Fava talks about the most exciting startups she met with in the conference’s exhibit hall, the latest innovations coming out of Envestnet, pro bono financial planning and her...

Episode Notes Speaking at the Technology Tools for Today conference, SEI’s Jeff Benfield tells guest host Ryan W. Neal about his impressions of Denton, Texas, and how his firm is using technology to drive personalization. Benfield shares a bit of what’s coming on SEI’s technology road map, as well as how he’s getting back out into the world after the pandemic. Guest Bio: Jeff Benfield, SEI managin...

Episode Notes Joel Bruckenstein, president of Technology Tools for Today and producer of the annual T3 conference, took time out of his busy schedule to identify some of the major themes of this year’s event for guest host Ryan W. Neal. Bruckenstein also shared some highlights from his latest adviser software survey and some gaps in the adviser technology ecosystem he believes open opportunities f...

BBruce and Jeff connect with Lance Dial, partner at Morgan Lewis, to discuss the SEC’s proposed new rules related to ESG investing. They talk about the SEC’s goal of cracking down on greenwashing, and the challenge of enforcing rules related to something that’s evolving. Guest Bio: With more than a decade of experience as senior in-house counsel with global investment managers, Lance Dial has a de...

In the 100th episode of the InvestmentNews Podcast, Bruce and Jeff go in strong with a big guest, Andy Sieg, president of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. They address a multitude of topics related to the shift in wealth management from 2021 to 2022, including how firms are hiring and retaining talent, and when it will be time to start raising adviser fees. Guest Bio: Andy Sieg is president of Mer...

Bruce and Jeff interview SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who addresses a plethora of topics, including: • The Securities and Exchange Commission’s position on regulating ESG and greenwashing. • Qualifications beyond the size of someone’s bank account to determine how they can invest, specifically in private investments in 401(k) plans. • Cryptocurrency regulation, and Peirce’s nickname, “Crypto Mo...

Bruce takes the pod solo this week and interviews InvestmentNews senior reporter Mark Schoeff Jr. about the SEC’s lawsuit against Western International Securities Inc. There’s much to unpack about the lawsuit, which involves GWG bonds and violations of Reg BI. Bruce and Mark talk through the specific charges, how effective Reg BI has been during its two years of operation, and the potential outcom...

Jeff takes the pod solo as he talks to Bobby Blue, senior manager research analyst at Morningstar. Together they tackle liquid alternative funds, ETFs and mutual funds. They discuss what’s driving the flows, the fees involved, and red flags to look for on these investments. Guest Bio: Bobby Blue is a senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary o...

Bruce and Jeff explore the news that David Canter is leaving Fidelity Institutional for Bluespring Wealth Partners with Timothy D. Welsh, CEO of Nexus Strategy. They discuss the impact this will have on Fidelity and its custody business, as well as what it means for Bluespring. Guest Bio: Timothy D. Welsh, CFP is president, CEO and founder of Nexus Strategy, LLC, a leading consulting firm to the w...

Episode Notes Jeff and Bruce talk to Lisa Salvi of Schwab Advisor Services about its 16th annual RIA benchmarking study, which it just released. Lisa, who’s spent the past 10 years working on this research, imparts what she sees as the study’s key findings. She talks about how her team uses the data to inform their best practices within the firm, as well as the three factors that identify top perf...

Episode Notes Bruce and Jeff push hard for answers to the questions we all have about the Financial Planning Association’s efforts to turn the financial planner title into a protected and official designation. They talk with FPA CEO and secretary Patrick D. Mahoney about why the current actions were taken, what the process looks like, the plan for the long game, and how this new title will differ...

Episode Notes Bruce takes the pod solo with guest Jim Gold, CEO and co-founder at Steward Partners Global Advisory. They talk about the evolution of Gold’s career that paved the path to Steward Partners Global Advisory. Jim addresses the firm’s continued growth and the nuance of what it takes to sustain success. Guest Bio: Jim Gold serves as CEO and is a founding partner, board member and member o...

Episode Notes Jeff takes the pod solo, interviewing the founder and president of The ETF Store, Nate Geraci, about the nuances of single-stock ETFs. Nate talks about how we got to this point, how the newly released ETFs that invest in a single security work, and who they work for. Guest Bio: Nate Geraci is chairman and president of The ETF Store, an ETF-focused registered investment advisor provid...

Episode Notes The band is back together, as Bruce and Jeff reunite to interview Vivek Ramaswamy, co-founder and executive Chairman at Thrive Asset Management. They unravel the problematic mix of politics and big business, as well as Vivek’s unconventional path to founding Thrive. They also talk about Thrive’s success and what’s next. Guest Bio: Vivek Ramaswamy is a first-generation American entrep...

Episode Notes Bruce is joined by Mark Schoeff Jr., senior reporter with InvestmentNews, and Emile Hallez, US News Editor for ESG Clarity, to discuss current news about ESG. They explore government officials’ efforts related to ESG, including the SEC and Labor Department. However, there’s pushback coming from states like Texas and Florida, which have declared an anti-woke approach to ESG.

Episode Notes InvestmentNews’ tech reporter, Ryan Neal, joins Bruce on the pod this week to talk through current major fintech deals and the tech conferences on his radar this fall. At the top of the list is the termination of UBS’ acquisition of robo-adviser Wealthfront. Guest Bio: Originally from Northern California, Ryan received bachelor’s degrees in English and philosophy from UC Santa Barbar...

Episode Notes Bruce and Jeff talk to Knut Rostad, co-founder and president of the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard, about what the institute has accomplished so far during what Knut terms “Fiduciary September.” Knut discusses what he sees as the dismal state of the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest. Guest Bio: Knut A. Rostad co-founded and is president of the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard,...

Episode Notes Jeff takes the pod solo with his guest, Cody Garrett of Measure Twice Financial, who breaks down his “advice only” financial planning operation. They discuss the branding elements that go into providing paid financial advice for the anti-financial-adviser population. Cody lets us in on the success he has had advising these DIY investors, to the extent that he only works 10 hours per...

Episode Notes Bruce and Jeff are joined by Tim Murray, capital markets strategist at T. Rowe Price, to talk about all things capital markets. The big question: is this economic slowdown inevitably going to become a recession? They discuss supply, demand and inflation to sort out the possibilities. They also touch on the effect the economic slowdown is having on equity markets. Guest Bio: Tim Murra...

Episode Notes Shundrawn Thomas joins Bruce and Jeff to discuss his departure from Northern Trust Asset Management to launch The Copia Group. They talk about his reasons for leaving Northern Trust and The Copia Group’s plans. They also go in-depth about Shundrawn’s letters to corporate America reflecting on the racial unrest in this country and how that was reflected throughout the industry. Shundr...

Bruce and Jeff talk to Elizabeth Hiza, chief marketing officer at Barnum Financial Group, about her implementation of the growth mindset. Elizabeth swears by its power to evolve individual relationships as well as a firm’s ability to thrive, so much so that she’s implemented it as a companywide practice at Barnum. But Bruce has some big questions, including whether this is a cult. Guest Bio: In he...

Episode Notes Jeff and Bruce talk to Shane Sideris of Synchronous Wealth Advisors about the recent craze over Treasury I bonds. They discuss whether the rising popularity of I bonds is due to inflation, and whether or not this investment is worth it in the long term. Guest Bio: Shane Sideris is on the team of advisors at Synchronous Wealth Advisors LLC in Manhattan Beach, CA. Shane Sideris has bee...

Episode Notes Bruce takes the pod solo this week as he’s joined by Rich Steinmeier, managing director and divisional president at LPL Financial. Rich lets us in on the details of LPL’s latest acquisition, the firm’s plans for the future, and why he’s so passionate about the company. Guest Bio: Rich Steinmeier has served as managing director and divisional president, business development of LPL Fin...

Episode Notes Bruce and Jeff are joined by Chuck Failla of Sovereign Financial, who shares his own background as a breakaway RIA, his current success, and tips and tools to utilize when choosing a similar path. Guest Bio: Chuck Failla understands the importance of working as a Fiduciary and uses those standards to oversee the financial planning and investment management work done at Sovereign Fina...