Whiskey&WealthTech

In our latest episode of Whiskey and WealthTech, our host, Alex Serman, Managing Director of Wealth & Institutional at First Rate, sits down with Bruce McKenzie, Senior VP of Northern Trust Company. Bruce delves into the critical role of trust in his enduring career and the esteemed reputation of his firm. As an advisor that is constantly and consciously working towards building and maintaining trust with clients, he discusses how critical it is to vet and leverage trusted technology to serve his clients better. Listen to the full podcast to see how Bruce and his team at Northern Trust cultivate an environment of innovation as well as collaboration internally and with their clients. 

Don't miss this insightful discussion on the intersection of trust and technology in the financial world.

In this episode of Whiskey&WealthTech, host Alex Serman, Managing Director of Wealth and Institutional at First Rate, explores the intersections of business innovation, purpose-driven leadership, and the evolving landscape of wealth management. In this special episode we sit down with Dave and Trina Stone, the visionary founders of First Rate, for an insightful conversation spanning from the origins of their company to its enduring legacy.

Join Alex, Dave, and Trina as they sip on Mexican whiskey in Puerto Vallarta, reflecting on the journey of First Rate from humble beginnings to a global leader in the industry. From navigating technological shifts to embracing a higher purpose, the Stones share candid insights into the principles and practices that have propelled First Rate's success for over three decades.

 Discover the driving force behind First Rate's commitment to employee empowerment, customer-centricity, and community impact, as they unveil their ambitious vision for the company's future – a future envisioned to span generations and transcend borders.

Cheers to the past, present, and future of wealth, as we embark on this enlightening journey with First Rate.

In this episode of "Whiskey and WealthTech," host Alex Serman, Managing Director of Wealth and Institutional at First Rate, engages in a spirited conversation with financial advisor Derrick Kinney. The episode kicks off with a tasting of Teeling Irish Whiskey, setting the stage for a discussion on the intricacies of financial success and the role of generosity in wealth management.

 Derrick shares his journey from financial advisor to advocate for purpose-focused financial investing. He emphasizes the importance of debunking myths around money and empowering individuals to embrace financial abundance while making meaningful contributions to their communities.

 The conversation delves into trends in wealth management as well as misconceptions about AI's impact on the industry. Derrick stresses the significance of personal relationships in financial advising and highlights strategies for advisors to enhance client engagement and build lasting connections.

 Listen to the full podcast to hear Derrick Kinney’s financial insights, authenticity, and passion for wealth managers helping investors achieving financial success while making a difference in the world.

Hosted by Alex Serman, Managing Director of Wealth and Institutional at First Rate, this episode takes a unique turn away from whiskey to explore the world of port wine with guest Stephen Campisi from the Pensar Group. 

 The discussion touches on critical topics such as sustainable withdrawal rates, intergenerational equity, and the shift towards client-focused investing. Campisi emphasizes the need for a client-centric approach, urging professionals to prioritize client goals over statistics.

Watch the full podcast to hear about an upcoming series of articles, which will delve into asset allocation, outlining a practical approach to building a portfolio that aligns with client goals with a goal to transform the investment process into a consistent and risk-aware philosophy. 

In this episode of "Whiskey&WealthTech," host Alex Sermon, Managing Director at First Rate, is joined by Pete Baksh, Chief Investment Officer at First National Bank of Mount Dora. They explore the unique blend of Compass Box's "The Story of the Spaniard" whisky while discussing Pete's fascinating journey in the finance industry. Starting from a background in physics, he entered the trading world, faced challenges during the 2008 financial crisis, and ultimately rose to become the Chief Investment Officer at First National Bank. Pete emphasizes the importance of transparency in whisky and draws parallels with his firm's approach, which values transparency and data-driven decision-making.

 Listen to our full episode to hear our unique perspectives on the impact of AI in trading, the blowback against ESG considerations, and the potential dynamics of the market in 2024, and last but not least, the challenges and opportunities in navigating the current economic landscape.

Tune into the latest episode of Whiskey and Wealth Tech with our host, Alex Serman, the Managing Director of Wealth and Institutional at First Rate. In this episode, Alex is joined by Rachel Guy, Managing Director of First Rate Community Trust. They explore the world of whiskey while discussing the latest trends in the tech and wealth industry.

The duo samples two unique whiskeys from Ironroot Republic, a Texas-based distillery, while embarking on dynamic discussion about Rachel’s journey in the performance measurement industry. Rachel shares her experiences and her passion for problem-solving in the constantly evolving tech landscape, her community involvement with Camp Impact, and last but not least, her most recent achievements in being named part of Arlington's 40 under 40 class for 2023. 

 Tune in for a special blend of whiskey expertise, industry insights, and heartfelt stories in this lively “holiday” episode.

In this insightful conversation, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Hamza Qadir, a trailblazer in the world of wealthtech as the Managing Director of The Venture Center and a visionary Founder behind The Founders Arena. This exclusive cohort program is dedicated to fueling revenue opportunities for burgeoning wealth management and tech startups.

The accelerator program is ingeniously crafted to assemble a diverse array of wealth managers and technology service providers, fostering collaboration to uncover growth avenues. A remarkable selection committee, comprising wealth managers, tech providers, and venture capitalists, pools their expertise to offer multifaceted perspectives on the evolving wealthtech landscape. Their collective wisdom illuminates growth prospects and contributes positively to the industry's trajectory.

Within The Founders Arena, participating companies gain a pivotal opportunity to refine their business narratives and harness invaluable relationships, ultimately bolstering their market value and enhancing their ability to articulate their worth. Additionally, they embark on a strategic planning journey, charting a course for future growth and success. 

Tune in to the full episode as Hamza Qadir provides profound insights into the vision and profound impact of The Founders Arena, shedding light on the promising future of the wealthtech industry. 

Welcome to the latest episode of Whiskey&WealthTech! In this engaging conversation, we sat down with Patrick Fowler, President and COO of The Spaulding Group, to delve into the captivating members-only Spaulding Group Forum.  

These dynamic forums, fueled by the fervor of dedicated wealth management industry professionals - from institutional asset managers to the vendors that support them - have shaped numerous facets of the industry's evolution. We discuss an array of compelling topics, including performance measurement standardization, risk assessment, attribution, GIPS compliance, and more. 

Listen to the full episode, where Patrick Fowler shares the continued impact of the Spaulding Group Performance Measurement Forums. 

Welcome to another episode of Whiskey and WealthTech! In this insightful discussion, we had the pleasure of sitting down with David Curtis, the esteemed Head of Global Client Business at bondIT. Together, we delved into the fascinating realm of explainable AI technology and Machine Learning, specifically exploring their invaluable role in revolutionizing Fixed Income investing for wealth managers.  

Our conversation shed light on the transformative power of this strategic partnership between First Rate and bondIT. In this engaging podcast episode, we explored the ways in which this cutting-edge technology enables advisors to make informed, intelligent decisions that truly benefit their clients. Gone are the days of blindly relying on opaque strategies. Now, wealth managers can confidently provide a transparent explanation behind their investment recommendations, fostering trust and enhancing client satisfaction.  

Join us for the full podcast episode, where David Curtis shares his expertise and sheds light on the profound impact this innovative technology is having on the wealth management landscape.