Advisory firm owners who are considering selling their firm internally in a succession-plan transaction rather than to outside buyers might be taking a valuation hit, according to Daniel Seivert, chief executive of investment bank Echelon Partners.
"Internal deals are more difficult than people think, and because there's no competitive process, valuation discounts are the norm," he said Thursday morning during a panel discussion at Pershing Advisor Solutions' annual Insite conference in Orlando, Fla.
Mr. Seivert, who participated in a point-counterpoint debate on advisory firm merger and acquisition strategies along with Pershing Advisor Solutions CEO Mark Tibergien, said 60% of deals now involve internal buyers.
That percentage is up from 40% 10 years ago, Mr. Seivert said.
While Mr. Tibergien pointed out that an internal sale can be "the first step in creating continuity in an enterprise, and optimizes value," Mr. Seivert said external deals "lead to valuation premiums."
"There is no synergy value in an internal sale because no new element is being brought in to the business," Mr. Seivert said. "Also the process of an internal deal can tear at the fabric of your practice."
Another hurdle for internal deals, Mr. Seivert said, is that "buyers often have no experience with the financing and legal elements, and that part can be difficult, especially for younger buyers."
The panel discussion, moderated by Megan Carpenter, chief executive and co-founder of financial services communications firm FiComm Partners, was less about taking sides then it was about provoking thought among the audience of about 100 financial advisers.
For example, on the topic of outsourcing investment management, Mr. Tibergien challenged the audience on why most of them charge fees based on assets, yet consider themselves holistic financial planners.
"This is the only profession I know of where the fee is based on the value the client brings to the business," he said. "If something is the core of your value proposition, you should own it. But if it's a satellite value, you should rent it."
Mr. Seivert elaborated on the value of outsourcing investment management if the goal is to be the target of an acquiring firm.
"It makes you more M&A-ready if you don't have an investment team because buyers often don't want it or don't want to pay for it," he said. "Also, if you're the asset manager and something goes wrong with the portfolio, you're responsible and that can get your fired."
Mr. Seivert further drove the point home by pointing out that "proprietary investment management is time-consuming and it can take your focus off the business."
"That's why firms with proprietary investment management are seen as higher risk and are valued at a discount," he added.
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