Karen Barr from the Investment Adviser Association and what's new in account aggregation

Episode 67

Episode Summary

Karen Barr, CEO of the Investment Adviser Association joins Bruce, flying solo today as Jeff hosts our own RIA summit, to chat all things advisory business. Nicole Casperson joins Bruce to discuss how tech is reshaping account aggregation.

Episode Notes

In this episode, you'll hear about

  • The IAA member demographic.
  • Karen's take on the new administration.
  • M&A.
  • SEC's new marketing rule.
  • Nicole Casperson on account aggregation via new technology.

Related Article:  In search of adviser tech’s holy grail

Related Article: What’s coming for RIAs from Washington: New regs

This episode sponsored by the State of the Industry Podcast by Allworth Financial

One of the five fastest growing RIAs in America, Allworth is seeking new partners to grow with us. 

Listen to Allworth’s industry podcast here.

Guest Bio:  Karen Barr is a native Washingtonian. She received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985 and her law degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan in 1988, where she was an editor on the Journal of Law Reform. After law school, Karen served as law clerk to the Honorable Walter E. Black, Jr., a federal judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. From 1989 until March 1997, when she joined the IAA, Karen was in private practice at the Washington, D.C. law firm Wilmer Cutler & Pickering, where she represented clients with respect to SEC investigations, securities class action litigation, administrative proceedings, internal corporate investigations, and securities regulatory matters. Karen is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.

Recent episodes
  • 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
  • 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?