Jon Kropf, Managing Director of Growth Partnerships at IEQ Capital, recently spoke at the Echelon Deals and Dealmakers conference. There, he shared his insights on a panel alongside Greg Gessert of LPL Financial and Michael Seid of Axxcess Wealth Management. The panel was moderated by Brett Mulder from Echelon Partners. Jon Kropf drives IEQ's inorganic growth strategy, spearheading the firm's expansion into new markets and overseeing the recruiting, acquiring, and integrating of advisors into our firm. 

During this event, the panelists discussed general trends, pros and cons, and highlighted that advisor hiring can be an impactful part of an effective growth strategy. Overall, the conference emphasized a continued strong sellers' market, indicating continued positive momentum and an appetite for strategic M&A opportunities for RIAs and across wealth management.

Key Takeaways:

  • M&A Opportunities: It is a seller’s market with high demand for premier firms and teams.
  • Talent Acquisition and Firm Growth: Advisors transitioning to the independent RIA channel underscore a preference for many advisors to serve their clients in an ecosystem where the client interests come first.
  • Cultural Alignment and Client Service: Emphasizing cultural fit between advisors and firms is a key to successful advisor movement. 
  • Firm Development and Competitiveness: Building strong, client-focused firms and prioritizing tailored service are key to attracting and retaining top advisors and clients; firms should continue to offer advisors additional ways to add value to clients.

For advisors considering a transition to an RIA, we believe IEQ’s commitment to thoughtful and targeted growth can offer a compelling opportunity. IEQ values independence, supports entrepreneurial growth, and fosters a collaborative culture.   

The content of this post is based on information provided by third parties and has not been independently verified. IEQ Capital, LLC is not responsible for third-party errors, omissions or representations. This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or investment advisory services. The views expressed in this post are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of IEQ Capital, LLC.