Deals and no deals

Episode 76

Episode Summary

Bruce Kelly takes the reins of this week's pod so Jeff can take care of his last-minute Christmas shopping and fruitcake baking. InvestmentNews' Sean Allocca joins the podcast to chat with Bruce about some of the big acquisitions and hoped-for acquisitions in the wealth tech space. They go over Wealthfront as a possible buy target and Apollo's purchase of Griffin.

Episode Notes

In this episode, you'll hear about: 

  • The background and history of Wealthfront.
  • Wealthfront — will anyone buy it? Victim of its own success.
  • Which robo has the edge in tech?
  • Background on Wall Street wanting into the independent RIA space.
  • Apollo buys wholesalers at Griffin Capital.
  • Sean and Bruce’s predictions for future deals.

Related Article:  Will Wealthfront fetch a $1.5 billion price tag?

Related Article:  Wall Street’s latest to hook independent advisers? Alternatives

Recent episodes
  • Episode 208
  • Jun 26, 2026

Mid-year review with InvestmentNews’ reporters

Bruce and the IN staff talk about IPOs, Robinhood, AI and risk halfway through an eventful 2026 in the financial advice industry.

Mid-year review with InvestmentNews’ reporters
  • Episode 207
  • May 26, 2026

Private credit in perspective – with senior industry leader Mark Goldberg

Bruce this week speaks with Mark Goldberg, who has worked as a senior executive with Royal Alliance Associates, now Osaic, Carey Financial and Griffin Capital Securities about the current market for alternative investments, including private loan and BDC funds.

Private credit in perspective – with senior industry leader Mark Goldberg
  • 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