RIA+

Pure Financial Advisors is widely recognized across the RIA industry as an organic growth machine. But the firm also closed two significant acquisitions in the first several months of 2025, and has now completed six deals in its history. In this episode, CEO Joe Anderson and CFO Jason Carver talked with Emigrant's Mark Bruno about Pure's M&A strategy, what they look for when evaluating alignment and fit - and ultimately, how Pure is taking a unique approach to blending organic and inorganic growth strategies. 

In this episode of RIA+, Mark Bruno goes “Inside the minds” of four Next Generation advisors who are with Novare Capital, Emigrant’s newest partner firm. 

With a growing number of RIA founders looking to attract and develop young talent, this discussion features a group of rising stars about what sparked their interest in wealth management. It also focuses on what has motivated each of these advisors to continue to hone their skills and dedicate their careers to financial advice. 

Novare's "Core Four" of Alex Dann, Callie Huggins, John Menser and John Ryan discuss their journeys, their unique approaches to working with individuals and families – and the difference between a good and a great RIA. For anyone looking to attract and develop NextGen talent, this is a must-listen, so enjoy this episode of RIA+.

In this episode of RIA+, Emigrant's Mark Bruno sits with Sam Lewis, the founder and CEO of Fruitful, a financial wellness solution that provides its clients, or its "members", with high-touch advice that is delivered in a largely digital experience. Fruitful's "guides" are already providing advice to thousands of NextGen investors, despite the company being a relatively new entrant to the marke. Lewis shares his perspective on how the needs and demands of younger investors are evolving, and how Fruitful is using digital platforms to provide more direct access to its team of CFPs, personalized investment portfolios and customized savings products. Fruitful has found a way to scale the delivery of advice, without compromising the role and importance of 1-to-1 relationships - and in the process, may offer a glimpse into the future of wealth management. 

In this episode of RIA+, Jeff Concepcion – founder and CEO of Stratos Wealth – one of the fastest-growing, sits down with Emigrant's Mark Bruno to discuss the strategies and tactics that have fueled of one of the largest and most successful firms in wealth management. With more than $37 billion in assets across its platform, over 350 advisors and a diverse mix of businesses that are purpose-built for growth-oriented advisors and firms, Stratos has become one of the most influential firms in wealth management. Wit some major strategic investments in technology, practice management and marketing capabilities, Jeff describes how he and his leadership team have Stratos strategically positioned Stratos to write the next chapter of its impressive growth story. 

This episode of RIA+ features two key leaders at Gibson Capital – which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary and now manages roughly $2.5B for 200 families across the country. While a number of strategic decisions have contributed to Gibson’s prolonged success, the notion of providing “uncommonly attentive advice” has always stayed at the core for Gibson, one of the most focused and intentional RIAs you will come across in this industry. Christine DeMao, Gibson’s COO, and Chris Sidoni, Gibson’s Chief Investment Officer, joined Emigrant's Mark Bruno to talk about their unique approach to building one of the industry’s premier firms, and how its ability to go narrow and deep has differentiated Gibson in an increasingly competitive market. 

FL Putnam is one of the fastest-growing RIAs in the nation, and crossed $10B in assets earlier this year after successfully acquiring and integrating a number of businesses and teams over the last 24 months. The firm has evolved into a true wealth platform with a diverse mix of services – one that has the firm positioned for continued strategic growth in 2025 and beyond. Tom Manning sits down with Emigrant's Mark Bruno in this first episode of season 2 of RIA+ to offer an inside look at the drivers of FL Putnam's success. 

In this episode of RIA+, Emigrant's Mark Bruno goes "under the hood" of Pure Financial - one of the most sophisticated and strategic RIAs in the industry. Mark talks with Joe Anderson, President and CEO of Pure, and Jason Carver, Managing Partner and CFO. They dive deep into the growth story of Pure, which now has over $6 billion in assets and is exponentially outpacing the growth rates of its peers. They explore Pure's market focus and business model, its innovative content strategy - and how Pure is making investments in marketing and business development that will drive growth for years. 

The top-performing firms in the RIA industry have experienced organic growth rates that are more than double the typical firm - and Charles' Schwab's new RIA benchmarking study provides a close-up of the strategies and tactics driving their growth. In this episode of RIA+, Emigrant's Mark Bruno interviews Schwab's Lisa Salvi, Managing Director, Advisor Services, about the key findings from the 2024 Schwab benchmarking study, which highlights the remarkable growth in the RIA channel. They go deep into the data to reveal the secrets of the top-performers and discuss practical approaches to referrals, talent and client communication strategies that can lead to accelerated growth. 

In this episode of RIA+, Mark Bruno talks with Fidelity's Laura Delaney - one of the leading RIA M&A researchers - about dealmaking activity in the first half of 2024. While overall volume and valuations remain strong, this interview goes beyond the numbers and focuses on the drivers of successful M&A activity and uncovers what the RIA industry has collectively learned over the last five years - a period of record-breaking and transformational M&A. 

While it's been years since Leo Kelly, CEO and founder of Verdence Capital Advisors, left the wirehouse world for the independent channel, a simple governing principle continues to anchor his vision for leading one of the industry's top RIAs: Build you firm like your client is the architect. 

Verdence, one of the nations' fastest-growing RIAs, continues to invest in both talent and technology to build out and enhance its unique business model - while also making sure they deliver a highly personalized and consistent experience for all of its clients. In this episode of RIA+, Leo shares his growth strategy with Emigrant Partners' Mark Bruno, and also outlines what lies ahead for Verdence, the independent channel and how the needs of HNW and ultra-HNW individuals are rapidly evolving.