On a tear! CI Financial scoops up U.S. RIAs at breathtaking pace

Episode 23

Episode Summary

Kurt MacAlpine, CEO of Canada's CI Financial, joins Jeff Benjamin and Bruce Kelly to talk about his company's buying spree. CI Financial has struck 12 deals so far this year, purchasing U.S. RIAs large and small. They chat about Kurt's mandate as the new CEO, CI's strategy, and the RIA market in North America.

Episode Notes

1:00 — The appeal of the U.S. RIA market and CI Financial's background

4:45 — The timing on a roll-up strategy in the RIA space

6:30 — Why focus more on the U.S. than Canada, and what's the future acquisition pace?

10:30 — Talking CI's acquisition criteria

12:00 — CI's new U.S. listing and how it fits in

15:00 — The appeal of selling out to CI vs. private equity or other options

19:00 — CI's referral program

21:30 — Where does CI go next?

24:00 — Why CI doesn't look as closely at the brokerage space

Article:  CI Financial lists on NYSE

Article: Mega-buyer CI Financial acquires Roosevelt Investments

Guest bio: Kurt MacAlpine has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of CI Financial since September 2019. He has extensive experience in the global asset and wealth management industry. As CEO, MacAlpine is on a three-pronged mission to modernize its asset management, globalize the company and expand wealth management.

Recent episodes
  • Episode 190
  • Jul 11, 2025

Meet Andrew Cohen: From sports biz to RIA beat at InvestmentNews

Bruce chats with reporter Andrew Cohen, who has covered the RIA industry for InvestmentNews since late March, while crossing over with his old beat covering sports business as the trendy asset class just hit a record-breaking $10 billion team sale.

Meet Andrew Cohen: From sports biz to RIA beat at InvestmentNews
  • Episode 189
  • Jun 26, 2025

"We're on the precipice of the Fourth Industrial Revolution"

Bruce speaks to Osaic CEO Jamie Price about the long-term outlook driving M&A activity and why financial advisors, it turns out, are the most important part of the equation.

"We're on the precipice of the Fourth Industrial Revolution"
  • Episode 188
  • Jun 13, 2025

Twists, turns and drama: Exploring the aftermath of the LPL-Commonwealth deal

Bruce sits down with InvestmentNews colleague James Burton to dig into the post-acquisition stories of anger, surprise, and recruitment pitches..

Twists, turns and drama: Exploring the aftermath of the LPL-Commonwealth deal
  • Episode 187
  • May 06, 2025

A front-row seat to the independent revolution

Bruce sits down with Brad Bueermann, CEO and founder of FP Transitions, to discuss all things M&A and how recent volatility will impact deal structure and valuations.

A front-row seat to the independent revolution