Mohan Gurupackiam is the Chief Information Officer at Steward Partners Global Advisory: an employee-owned, full-service partnership that caters to family, institutional, and multigenerational investors.
In this podcast, Doug and Mohan discuss the latest technological advancements in the financial industry, talking through the impact of digital innovation and the future of fintech.
Topics discussed:
Mohan’s extensive 25-year career in the finance industry, including roles at E-Trade, Cetera, and AssetMark.
The significant technological advancements in the financial industry, such as the rise of FinTech and the shift towards a paperless office.
Tailoring technology solutions to meet the unique needs of individual advisors rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
The potential of artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency in areas like client meetings, portfolio construction, and investment management.
How technology benefits investors by improving efficiencies and enabling more sophisticated investment management and seamless interactions.
Gurupackiam praises the collaborative and partnership-driven culture at Steward Partners, which fosters open and respectful conversations and includes everyone as a partner.
The critical importance of cybersecurity infrastructure in protecting firm data and assets from increasing cyber threats.
Adam Holt is the CEO and Founder of Asset Map, a platform providing interactive financial overviews for informed and empowered decision-making.
Asset Map surveyed 175 advisors on challenges like accessing next-gen clients, the role of technology, and the industry’s current state. On this episode, Adam breaks down the data and offers his insights into their future impact on advisors and the industry.
Topics discussed:
The need for financial advisors to improve communication and demonstrate their value to younger generations, who often mistrust or do not understand the benefits of financial advising.
Leveraging technology and modern tools to enhance client engagement and financial literacy, aligning with evolving client expectations.
AI’s potential impact on the financial services industry with a focus on how it could transform tasks like communication, workflow management, and possibly even the advisor-client dynamic.
Asset Map’s integration with Holistiplan, a tool that helps advisors quickly analyze tax returns, enhancing the platform’s capability to offer comprehensive financial insights on a single screen.
Asset Map’s strategic vision to provide a holistic view of clients’ financial situations by layering various types of data, enabling more interactive and insightful financial planning sessions.
Click here to view Asset Map’s Advisor Insights Survey!
Tim Seifert is the Senior Vice President and Head of Retirement Solutions Distribution at Lincoln Financial Group: a firm that has been helping millions of people plan, protect, and retire for over a century.
In this podcast, Tim and host, Steve Gresham, dive into the implications of millions of Americans retiring each year, the challenges they face to secure their financial future, discussing the crucial role of annuities providing protected income.
They also discussed:
The “Peak 65” trend, where over 4.1 million Americans are retiring annually until 2027*, raising concerns about insufficient protected income and the risk of outliving savings.
Annuity Awareness Month and the importance of annuities in securing retirement income, emphasizing the need for comprehensive financial planning.
The significant knowledge gap among both consumers and financial professionals about their benefits and features, despite the record-breaking popularity of annuities.
Financial professionals being urged to educate clients about the value of annuities for protected income, highlighting protection and guarantees over potential market returns.
Lincoln Financial Group’s offerings with a range of annuity products to help meet diverse needs, stressing the importance of evolving and innovative solutions for retirement planning.
How crucial effective communication, education, and action by financial advisors are in helping clients understand what annuities offer, leading to increased client satisfaction.
Annuities are long-term investment products that offer tax-deferred growth, access to a lifetime income stream, and death benefit protection. There is no additional tax-deferral benefit for an annuity contract purchased in an IRA or other tax-qualified plan. All investing involves risk.
Lincoln annuities are issued by the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and in New York are issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so.
Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln Financial Corporation and its affiliates. Affiliates are separately responsible for their own financial and contractual obligations.
Chris Reaney is the Managing Director of High Water Wealth Group at Steward Partners. Steward Partners is an employee-owned, full-service partnership that caters to family, institutional, and multi-generational investors.
In this podcast, listeners can expect an insightful discussion on Chris Reaney’s career journey from a traditional wirehouse to joining and growing with Steward Partners. The episode highlights the evolution of the financial advisory landscape and the critical importance of support and entrepreneurial freedom for advisors.
Topics discussed:
Chris’ early career, highlighting the support for entrepreneurial advisors and contrasting it with less flexible environments at other firms.
His decision to leave a traditional wirehouse and join Steward Partners, motivated by dissatisfaction with the corporate culture and a lack of support at his previous firm.
Reaney explains the initial challenges and rapid growth of Steward Partners, emphasizing the freedom to run his business and the comprehensive support the firm provides.
The importance of personal touch in client relationships, noting that despite advancements in technology and AI, clients value the human element in financial advising.
The evolution of Steward Partners from a small, ambitious firm to a large organization, noting the continuous enhancements in support and resources available to advisors.
Reaney outlines his future plans, including succession strategy and a long-term commitment to the firm, while also balancing personal interests and values.
Scott Danner is the Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Street at Steward Partners. Steward Partners is an employee-owned, full-service partnership that caters to family, institutional, and multi-generational investors.
In this episode, Scott shares the inspiring journey of founding his company to revolutionize financial advising with a focus on relationship-building and personal impact.
They also discussed:
Scott’s journey of founding the firm in 2016 to address the lack of succession plans among aging financial advisors.
The rapid growth of Freedom Street and their goal of building a national brand with a compelling identity to attract top talent and clients.
The Life Optimization model, which prioritizes love, impact, faith, and energy over traditional financial metrics.
Benefits of joining Steward Partners, which provided support in HR and legal while maintaining a collaborative culture.
Scott talks about the importance of balancing high performance with self-awareness and achieving personal equilibrium.
Jim Gold is the CEO and Co-Founder of Steward Partners Global Advisory. Steward Partners is an employee-owned, full-service partnership that caters to family, institutional, and multi-generational investors.
In this podcast, Jim reflects on Steward Partners’ exponential growth over the past decade, exploring its unique culture of partnership, and its mission-driven approach to financial advisory services.
Also discussed:
Steward Partners’ rapid expansion, including the need for scale and the importance of legacy preservation.
The firm’s equity story, where every employee is an owner with the same equity, creating a culture of alignment and happiness.
The firm’s past milestones, including survival during early days, financial accolades, and great culture, with a focus on evolution and listening to people.
The importance of transparency, talent, and resources in making the right decisions.
The evolution of the advisor role and the importance of technology in providing accessible, trusted advice.
Jim Gold provides leadership advice, emphasizing honesty, integrity, and compliance.
Steve Gresham is the Managing Principal of NextChapter: an industry community and a tech-enabled solutions company focused on creating better retirement outcomes for everyone.
In this episode, we’ve invited Steve to share his insights on organic growth, exploring what fuels it, why it’s crucial, and how advisors can harness its power effectively.
Also discussed:
Why some advisors are experiencing growth while others are not, prompting an examination of the underlying dynamics.
The significance of both willpower and skill in an advisor’s success.
The distinction between organic and inorganic growth within the industry and the importance of organic growth as a measure of the business’s health.
The impact of aging demographics on advisor practices, noting the challenges posed by an aging client base and the implications for organic growth.
The dissatisfaction of private equity firms with industry returns.
The industry’s responsibility toward investors’ well-being.
Strategies for advisors to achieve organic growth effectively, emphasizing the importance of client retention, understanding evolving client needs, and improving share of wallet by offering new services and consolidating assets.
Hamilton Lane is a firm with a mission to offer superior financial well-being through tailored private market solutions, driven by over 30 years of client focus and innovation.
Jackie Rantanen sits as the Head of Investor Solutions within the Evergreen Portfolio Management team, also serving as a member of the Investment, Responsible Investment and Executive Committees.
In this episode, Jackie guides us through Hamilton Lane’s global client service, providing insights on their evolving strategies as well as navigating the world’s volatile 2024 landscape.
Topics also discussed:
Hamilton Lane and its over $900 billion in assets under management, serving institutional and private wealth investors worldwide.
The shift in the investment landscape with alternatives gaining prominence due to shrinking public markets and increasing opportunities in private markets.
How Hamilton Lane adapted, creating accessible structures for advisors and investors, simplifying processes, and providing education and transparency.
Hamilton Lane’s commitment to education and information-sharing, leveraging its extensive database and technology to empower advisors and clients with knowledge about private markets.
Key findings from Hamilton Lane’s comprehensive market overview, including persistent outperformance of private markets, fair valuations, and the importance of data-driven analysis.
Challenges such as global elections and technological advancements, emphasizing the resilience of private markets and the importance of data-oriented decision-making for investors.
Explore the dynamic intersection of financial services and philanthropy with Jeff Vivacqua, the new chairman of the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation, as he shares insights on empowering communities, raising industry visibility, and fostering impactful change.
Topics also discussed:
Jeff’s journey with Invest in Others, rooted in personal and professional philanthropic values.
His key objectives as the newly appointed chairperson, emphasizing the need to raise visibility in the financial services industry.
The natural inclination of financial professionals towards charitable initiatives and the role of Invest in Others in amplifying their efforts.
Jeff shares the influence of his affiliation with Invest in Others on his professional connections and the expansion of his network.
Challenges in philanthropic contributions, stressing the importance of supporting small charities and the impact even modest donations can make.
Looking ahead, Jeff discusses upcoming programs and events for Invest in Others, including the Charitable Champions program, grant opportunities, and the annual gala. He also outlines the organization’s strategic plan for growth and encourages support and involvement from the broader community.
WisdomTree works to create a better way to invest, offering a product range that offers access to a selection of unique and smart exposures.
Christopher Gannatti has been an integral part of the organization since 2010, currently holding the position of Global Head of Research. Chris has the responsibility for many communications pertaining to global investment strategies, with a focus on thematic equity.
In this episode, Chris unravels the enigma that is Bitcoin, a digital currency that ignites both fear and excitement in the hearts of investors.
Topics discussed:
An introduction to Wisdom Tree’s investment range and focus on Bitcoin.
Satoshi Nakamoto and the revolutionary nature of Bitcoin’s creation.
Investing in Bitcoin: weighing positives (high return potential) and negatives (volatility and risk).
Spot Bitcoin and the difference from Bitcoin futures.
Explanation of Bitcoin ETFs and how they are composed of actual Bitcoin assets.
WisdomTree’s Bitcoin ETF (BTCW) and its features, including cold storage and Coinbase custody.
Accessing WisdomTree’s research notes for more insights.
This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. Investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing.
There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal.
Bitcoin and, accordingly, the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund, which holds bitcoin, are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk, including the potential for loss of the entire investment. An investment in the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund involves significant risks (including the potential for quick, large losses) and may not be suitable for all shareholders. You should carefully consider whether your financial condition permits you to invest in the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund and you should be willing to accept more risk than may be involved with other exchange traded products or ETFs that do not hold bitcoin.
Extreme volatility of trading prices that many digital assets, including bitcoin, have experienced in recent periods and may continue to experience, could have a material adverse effect on in an investment in bitcoin and such investment could lose all or substantially all of its value. The value of the Shares is dependent on the acceptance of digital assets, such as bitcoin, which represent a new and rapidly evolving industry. Digital assets such as bitcoin were only introduced within the past two decades, and the medium-to-long term value is subject to a number of factors relating to the capabilities and development of blockchain technologies and to the fundamental investment characteristics of digital assets. Regulatory changes or actions may affect the value of bitcoin or restrict the use of bitcoin, mining activity or the operation of the Bitcoin Network or the Digital Asset Markets in a manner that adversely affects the value of bitcoin. Digital Asset Markets may experience fraud, business failures, security failures or operational problems, which may adversely affect the value of bitcoin.
There can be no assurance that the fund will achieve its investment objective.
The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund is not a fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and is not subject to regulation under the 1940, unlike most exchange traded products or ETFs. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund is also not a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended, and the sponsor is not subject to regulations by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund’s shares are neither interests in nor obligations of the sponsor or the trustee or any of their affiliates.
Please read the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
Contango: A scenario when the futures price is above the spot price.
This information is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, accounting, investment or financial planning advice by WisdomTree, nor should it be considered or relied upon as investment advice or as a recommendation from WisdomTree, including regarding the use or suitability of bitcoin in a portfolio. In providing information, WisdomTree is not acting and has not agreed to act in an investment advisory, fiduciary or quasifiduciary capacity to any advisor or end client, and has no responsibility in connection therewith, and is not BTCW WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund 8 WisdomTree.com/investments providing individualized investment advice to any advisor or end client, including based on or tailored to the circumstance of any advisor or end client. WisdomTree is not responsible for determining bitcoin to be purchased, held and/or sold for any advisor or end client accounts, nor is WisdomTree responsible for determining the suitability or appropriateness of bitcoin for any third party, including end clients. Advisors are solely responsible for making investment recommendations and/or decisions with respect to an end client, and should consider the end client’s individual financial circumstances, investment time frame, risk tolerance level and investment goals in determining the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy, without input from WisdomTree.
Foreside Funds Services, LLC, is the Marketing Agent for the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW). Foreside Fund Services, LLC, is not affiliated with WisdomTree, Inc. nor any other entities mentioned.
