On this episode of Talking Wealth, Michael Batnick sits down with John Connell, Co-Founder and CEO of Focal, the AI-powered productivity platform transforming how advisory firms document, automate and scale client service. With roots at Microsoft and multiple startups, John brings deep enterprise SaaS experience to the advisor space. We’ll explore how Focal is moving beyond note-taking to orchestration of advisor workflows, the security and compliance imperatives in wealthtech, and what’s next as agentic AI begins to drive the next wave of practice transformation.
This episode is sponsored by Betterment Advisor Solutions. Grow your RIA, your way by visiting: https://Betterment.com/advisors
For more from Talking Wealth sign up at: https://talkingwealthpod.com/
Participants include employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. This program is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or product. Any opinions expressed herein do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by Ritholtz Wealth Management or its employees. Ritholtz Wealth Management and its affiliates may invest in the technology company discussed.
The Compound Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, received compensation from the sponsor of this advertisement. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information.
#finance #financialplanning #financialeducation #financialadvisor
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33:06
How AI Can Help Advisors Get Bigger Clients
On this episode of Talking Wealth, Ben Carlson sits down with Nick Downer, Head of Advisory Services at Opto Investments. Opto Investments is a tech-driven platform that helps financial advisors and family offices better manage private investments. We’re going to discuss how Opto does this, their new AI tool for private market due diligence, and more. If you're a financial advisor and interested in going deeper, subscribe to the Talking Wealth email blast for wealth management professionals here:
https://talkingwealthpod.com/subscribe
This episode is sponsored by Betterment Advisor Solutions. Grow your RIA, your way by visiting: http://Betterment.com/advisors
Participants include employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. This program is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or product. Any opinions expressed herein do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by Ritholtz Wealth Management or its employees. Ritholtz Wealth Management and its affiliates may invest in the technology company discussed.
The Compound Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, received compensation from the sponsor of this advertisement. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information.
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28:25
Your Custodian Just Drank Your Milkshake
Josh Brown and Kevin Thompson are back for an all new edition of Talking Wealth. Charles Schwab is reportedly raising its referral minimum from $500,000 to $2,000,000 which will significantly shrink the pool of potential referred clients to its advisor network. Josh and Kevin discuss this and more. If you're a financial advisor and interested in going deeper, subscribe to the Talking Wealth email blast for wealth management professionals here:
https://talkingwealthpod.com/subscribe
This episode is sponsored by Betterment Advisor Solutions. Grow your RIA, your way by visiting: http://Betterment.com/advisors
Check out Kevin's substack here: https://9icapital.substack.com/
Participants include employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. This program is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or product. Any opinions expressed herein do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by Ritholtz Wealth Management or its employees. Ritholtz Wealth Management and its affiliates may invest in the technology company discussed.
The Compound Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, received compensation from the sponsor of this advertisement. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information.
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RIAs Sell for Record Amounts in Orgy of Consolidation - Brandon Kawal
On this episode of Talking Wealth, Michael Batnick is joined by Brandon Kawal, Partner at Advisor Growth Strategies, to break down the findings of their highly anticipated RIA Deal Room report. Brandon shares a behind-the-scenes look at today’s red-hot RIA M&A landscape, where deal volume and valuations are at all-time highs, but buyers are more selective than ever. We explore what’s driving record multiples, how the most successful firms are differentiating themselves in a crowded market, and what both buyers and sellers need to know to create lasting value. Whether you’re an advisor considering a sale, building for the future, or simply curious about the forces shaping wealth management, this episode offers sharp insights and actionable takeaways from one of the industry’s leading thinkers.
This episode is sponsored by Innovator ETFs. Visit: https://www.innovatoretfs.com/pdf/dd_product_brief.pdf to learn more.
For more from The Unlock, sign up at: https://www.advisorunlock.com/
Participants include employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. This program is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or product. Any opinions expressed herein do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by Ritholtz Wealth Management or its employees. Ritholtz Wealth Management and its affiliates may invest in the technology company discussed.
The Compound Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, received compensation from the sponsor of this advertisement. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information.
#finance #financialplanning #financialeducation
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26:30
Will AI Replace Your Financial Advisor? Michael Batnick and Dave Nadig on the Future of Wealth
Welcome back to Talking Wealth. Today, we’re going to be talking about the future of AI and financial advice. I won’t bury the lede. Artificial intelligence has the potential to do to financial advisors what the comet did to dinosaurs. The financial advice my children get won’t be delivered by human beings the same way it is today.
I couldn’t think of a better person to have on than my friend Dave Nadig, who once held the title of futurist. Dave has spent his entire career in the financial services industry and is a deep expert on a lot of the topics we’re going to be talking about today. Dave has an excellent Substack that I would encourage you to subscribe to at https://www.nadig.com/.
This episode is sponsored by SS&C’s Black Diamond® Wealth Platform. To learn how Black Diamond is helping wealth advisors of all shapes and sizes, visit: www.sscblackdiamond.com
For more from The Unlock, sign up at: https://www.advisorunlock.com/
Participants include employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. This program is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or product. Any opinions expressed herein do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by Ritholtz Wealth Management or its employees. Ritholtz Wealth Management and its affiliates may invest in the technology company discussed.
The Compound Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, received compensation from the sponsor of this advertisement. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information.
#finance #financialplanning #financialeducation #financialadvisor
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices