Month: April 2022

RIA Edge Podcast: Thrivent Advisor Network Carolyn Armitage on true drivers of growth in the RIA space

RIA Edge Podcast: Thrivent Advisor Network Carolyn Armitage on true drivers of growth in the RIA space

When it comes to business growth within the M&A space, you must be strategic in development while acquiring companies that fit your business model.

In this episode, Mark Bruno, Managing Director at Informa Wealth Management, speaks with Carolyn Armitage, CFP®, CIMA®, Head of Thrivent Advisor Network, about the key findings from the RIA Edge study, focusing on developments within the M&A industry and how financial advisors’ vision for the future impacts their strategies for business growth through M&As.

Mark and Carolyn discuss:

  • The RIA edge study and historical growth rates and growth expectations for RIA firms over the next several years. 
  • Talent acquisition and the role that human capital can play in driving growth. 
  • What steps are necessary to solve wealth management’s widespread succession. problem and the differences between an internal transaction versus an external sale.
  • What is the role of TAN as a buyer in today’s marketplace and how are they a differentiator for financial advisors in the industry.
  • The qualitative versus quantitative fit when looking at Advisors to enhance the Thrivent Advisor Network business.

Connect With Mark Bruno:

Connect With Carolyn Armitage:

About Our Guest:

Carolyn Armitage leads Thrivent’s newly crafted independent RIA, Thrivent Advisor Network. With her extensive experience in the wealth management industry, Carolyn’s strategic guidance will enable the next phase of development for the organization.

Her experience includes roles as an independent Financial Advisor, producing Branch Manager, the head of multiple wealth management teams such as HD Vest – now Advantax, ING Advisors Network – now Voya & Cetera, among others. She also led the Large Enterprise Business Management Consulting team for LPL Financial. Prior to her current role of heading up Thrivent’s RIA, Thrivent Advisor Network, Carolyn provided investment banking and consulting services, including valuation, expert witness, strategic planning and positioning, compensation, incentives, equity sharing structuring, and internal and external succession planning to the industry’s most elite firms through the firm ECHELON Partners. 



RIA Edge Podcast: Pathstone’s Matthew Fleissig on the Journey to $35BN

RIA Edge Podcast: Pathstone’s Matthew Fleissig on the Journey to $35BN

Few firms have experienced the growth that Pathstone – one of the largest RIAs in the business — has enjoyed in recent years. 

Through a strategic approach to M&A, technology, and socially responsible investing, Pathstone has emerged as one of the most successful advisory firms to ultra-high-net-worth individuals. 

In this episode of RIA Edge, Mark Bruno, Managing Director at Informa Wealth Management, speaks with Matthew Fleissig, President, Pathstone about the secrets behind their success, and specifically focuses on:

  • How does Pathstone think about growth – and more specifically, how does Pathstone embed it into the mindset of the overall team?
  • Current opportunities in the RIA M&A landscape
  • While Pathstone has grown through M&A and recruiting in recent years, they have also experienced some significant organic growth, excluding markets. Matthew shares some details on their organic growth rate and the focus on ESG and SRI in the contribution to that growth.
  • What new strategies does Pathstone have in place to power its growth engine and specifically use technology to acquire new clients. 

Connect With Mark Bruno:

Connect With Matthew Fleissig:

About Our Guest:

Prior to his role as President, Matthew served as a Managing Director at Pathstone Family Office.  Prior experiences include the role of Principal for Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services and a Financial Planner at The Ayco Company, A Goldman Sachs Company.  Matt was a member of Harris Bank’s Outside Advisor Review Committee, a select group of 12 senior investment professionals, which directed manager due-diligence, search and selection for the bank’s $60 billion platform. He was also a member of Harris Bank’s Investment Management Committee, where policies for asset allocation, alternative investments, equity and fixed income managers and compliance are decided at the firm level.  At Ayco, Matt provided comprehensive financial counseling to Fortune 500 executives and high net worth individuals.