Episodes

Monday Jan 11, 2021
Monday Jan 11, 2021
On this episode of SOI podcast, we welcome Scott Hanson,: Co-Founder of Allworth Financial as our host. He shares an insightful discussion with Chris Oddy, Allworth's Chief Financial Officer
Key Takeaways:
- The reasons behind the blistering acceleration of M&A
- What’s a fair selling price for a firm in the $200M to $300M AUM range?
- What principals can do to prepare for a potential merger or sale
- Why firms should focus on revenue streams, growth and client mix
- Why 2021 might be a surprising year
- Understanding the importance of the distribution of fixed and variable costs when considering partnering with outside investors

Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Why would a successful independent advisor with his own RIA and an affiliation with a quality major independent broker dealer choose to merge his firm with an RIA 40 times his size?
One reason might be striking while the iron is hot. Others include setting up an eventual succession plan, gaining the benefits of scale, help with growth and gaining equity in a firm that is growing faster and more reliably than his or her own firm. If the end of 2020 is any indication, 2021 could be another record year for M&A activity.
On this episode of State of the Industry podcast, we welcome Scott Hanson: Co-Founder, Allworth Financial (Host) and Dave Bastoni: Founder and Principal of hybrid advisory firm Bastoni Financial Services.
Key Takeaways:
- Review of M&A trends for 2020 and predictions for M&A in 2021
- Why we’ve seen an increase in multiples for financial advisory firms
- Why private equity and other institutional investors are interested in our industry
- Why an independent BD advisor with $270M in AUM changed his business model to merge with a $10B RIA
- How David Bastoni navigated a critical growth inflection point – investing and building infrastructure or joining a firm with a platform in place
- Why many older advisors are making a mistake by setting their firms on cruise control and plan to retire "with their boots on"
To learn more, please visit: https://allworthpartners.com/

Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Behind the Scenes: Acquisition Announcement
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
On this episode of State of the Industry podcast, we welcome:
- Scott Hanson, Co-Founder, Allworth Financial (Host)
- Brian Murphy, President of Tucson’s Pathways Financial Partners
- Blake Davelaar, CFP® and second in command at Pathways
Key Takeaways:
- Why PFP’s Brian Murphy and Blake Davelaar chose Allworth Financial over every other suitor
- What the partnership means for clients
- The different professional motivations for Brian, in his 60s, and Blake, who hopes to work for another 30 years
- How the special niche of client that PFP serves stands to benefit from the partnership
- Why both Brian and Blake are more excited about the future than ever before

Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Sell and Stay – Good for Clients, Staff and Founders
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
On this episode of State of the Industry, we welcome:
- Scott Hanson, Co-Founder, Allworth Financial (Host)
- Hugh Phillips, former principal at Napa-area HBP Retirement Group, Inc., which, in 2018, entered into a “sell and stay” partnership with Allworth Financial.
Key Takeaways:
- How HBP Retirement Group and Hugh Phillips became part of Allworth Financial in a classic “sell and stay” transaction.
- How Hugh made sure his junior advisor and staff benefitted from the transaction.
- What mental and emotional roadblocks Hugh Phillips had to overcome to complete the transaction.
- What are the logistical and quality of life advantages that Hugh Phillips has enjoyed since the acquisition?
- What was the impact on Phillips’ associate advisor, who’d been with HBP for 15 years, and does he feel about the partnership?
We hope you enjoy. You may subscribe to our podcast by clicking here on iTunes Podcasts.

Wednesday Jun 24, 2020
Why Compete When You Can Play On The Same Team?
Wednesday Jun 24, 2020
Wednesday Jun 24, 2020
M&A activity was slow over the last few months, but it was not all quiet. As the ground begins to thaw and offices begin to (cautiously) reopen, hear why some advisors have decided to join forces to secure the desired future for their firm and quit competing for the same clients.
In this edition of our State of the Industry podcast, join Co-CEO and podcast host Scott Hanson as he welcomes Allworth’s newest partners, Bob Frater and Chris Brown, principals at Houston Asset Management.
Bob and Chris discuss:
- The logistics of the partnership
- Equity considerations
- What was easy, and what most surprised them
- And why they decided to make the change when they did
Finally, Scott welcomes Allworth’s Chief Operating Officer, Pete Engelken, who discusses firm valuations along with other aspects of the nine unique partnershipsAllworth has completed in just the last three years.
Find out more here: https://allworthpartners.com/

Thursday May 28, 2020
The M&A Landscape During COVID-19
Thursday May 28, 2020
Thursday May 28, 2020
On this episode of State of the Industry, we welcome:
- Scott Hanson, Co-Founder & Senior Partner, Allworth Financial (Host)
- Matt Brinker, Former head of M&A for United Capital and current Managing Partner at Merchant
- Bob Sponseller, Founder, Capstone Capital, Inc.
Each guest offers a unique perspective on the current state of RIA M&A and how advisors can position themselves in the current marketplace to best serve client and personal goals.
Key Takeaways:
- The strategy behind United Capital’s growth and success
- Unique opportunities for growth for RIAs during a disruptive time period
- What kind of firms and advisors make good strategic partners for acquisitive firms
- How COVID-19 provides opportunity for resourceful advisors
- Predictions for post-coronavirus M&A activity
- Allworth’s most recent acquisition, Bob Sponseller, discusses reaching a growth ceiling and why he’s decided to partner with Allworth

Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
On this special episode of State of the Industry, we provide an 8-Minute Video Update on the most pressing issues facing the financial advisory space today.
Today’s topics include:
- How diversifying the company’s ownership helped us as business owners
- How our capital partners have enabled us to better navigate this uncertain time
- Our growth path since partnering with a private equity firm
- What partnering with a larger firm could mean for your business and clients
- Why it’s never too early to consider your options for succession
Our hosts:
- Scott Hanson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Allworth Financial (Host)
- Pat McClain, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Allworth Financial
We hope you enjoy. To see the video, please click here or copy the URL and paste it into your browser:https://allworthpartners.com/8-minute-update-diversifying/

Monday Apr 06, 2020
8-Minute Update Video: Question Everything – Your Business Going Forward
Monday Apr 06, 2020
Monday Apr 06, 2020
On this special episode of State of the Industry, we provide an 8-Minute Video Update on the most pressing issues facing the financial advisory space today.
Today’s topics include:
- How to take an introspective look at your business
- What areas of your business you should be taking inventory on
- Creative ideas for new service offerings, delivery methods and pricing models
- Assessing your organization’s openness to change
Our hosts:
- Scott Hanson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Allworth Financial (Host)
- Pat McClain, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Allworth Financial
We hope you enjoy. You may subscribe to our podcast by clicking here on iTunes Podcasts.

Monday Mar 30, 2020
8-Minute Update: Finding Opportunities in a Challenging Environment
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
On this special episode of State of the Industry, we provide an 8 Minute Video Update on the most pressing issues facing the financial advisory space today.
Today’s topics include:
- How to look at your business with fresh eyes
- Keeping a keen focus on client communication
- Ways to serve clients by leveraging new technology
- How to get creative with service offerings
- Understanding options for pricing structures
Our hosts:
- Scott Hanson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Allworth Financial
- Pat McClain, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Allworth Financial

Wednesday Mar 11, 2020
Advisory Firms, Market Volatility and the Coronavirus
Wednesday Mar 11, 2020
Wednesday Mar 11, 2020
In this special edition State of the Industry Podcast, our Co-Founder and Senior Partner, Scott Hanson discusses the precautions, communications and steps Allworth Financial is taking in response to the Coronavirus and market volatility.
On this episode, we welcome:
- Scott Hanson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Allworth Financial (Host)
- Brad Boekestein, Vice President of Marketing, Allworth Financial
- Julie Anderson, Vice President of Human Resources, SPHR®, Allworth Financial
Key Takeaways:
- What advisors need to know about conducting business
- How advisors are handling external client communication
- What precautions are being taken by staff and employees
- Employee management, operations, and contingency plans