Mark Bruno on the big picture of M&A in the RIA space

Episode 30

Mark Bruno joins Jeff and Bruce to kick off 2021 with a detailed look at mergers and acquisitions in the RIA space, including trends, outlooks, private equity and tips for sellers

Episode Notes

2:00 Big picture on M&A in the RIA space

5:30 What's driving the increase in M&A?

9:00 Deal structures in the current M&A environment

16:00 Looking at valuations in the sector

19:00 The public market option for RIAs - does it work?

24:30 Why private equity may be as or more appealing to RIAs as public markets

27:00 CI Financial's model and strategy

31:00 How small firms fit in the current market

34:30 What are buyers looking for?

37:00 M&A outlook for 2021

Related Article:  Not even a global pandemic could derail RIA M&A momentum

Guest Bio:  Mark Bruno is a managing director at Echelon Partners, an investment banking, management consulting and valuation specialist to the wealth management industry.

Recent episodes
  • Episode 206
  • May 14, 2026

Alts fans take notice: Why is Nick Schorsch buying up restaurants in Rhode Island?

Bruce Kelly talks to local Rhode Island reporter Eli Sherman about the former nontraded REIT czar, Nick Schorsch, and his group’s investments in beloved local eateries in the Ocean State.

Alts fans take notice: Why is Nick Schorsch buying up restaurants in Rhode Island?
  • Episode 205
  • May 04, 2026

Compliance nerds, alert: These are the latest scams and troubles financial advisors should be on alert for

Bruce Kelly speaks to longtime compliance expert Sander Ressler about elder fraud, artificial intelligence and GWG Holdings and what advisors and their broker-dealers and RIAs should be guarding against.

Compliance nerds, alert: These are the latest scams and troubles financial advisors should be on alert for
  • Episode 204
  • Apr 17, 2026

What’s the latest at Cambridge Investment Research?

Bruce Kelly is joined this week by Jeff Vivacqua of Cambridge Investment Research, who breaks down the company's success as a recruiter of financial advisors.

What’s the latest at Cambridge Investment Research?
  • Episode 203
  • Mar 13, 2026

What can we expect in 2026?

Bruce Kelly is joined this week by InvestmentNews Managing Editor James Rogers as they look ahead to what the financial advice industry can expect in 2026 after a tumultuous start to the year.

What can we expect in 2026?