• Home: Leading Financial Advisor Recruiting Firm
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • For Financial Advisors
    • For Financial Services Firms
    • For Independent Business Owners
    • Our Process
    • Case Studies for Financial Advisors
    • Representative Deals
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Podcast
    • Industry Update
    • Independence 101 Series
  • News/Media
  • Tools/Resources
    • FAQs for Merrill Advisors
    • FAQs for UBS Advisors
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe for Updates

Questions? Call us: 908-879-1002

Contact us...
Diamond Consultants: Financial Advisor Recruiting FirmDiamond Consultants: Financial Advisor Recruiting Firm
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Mindy Diamond
      • Louis Diamond
      • Howard Diamond
      • Barbara Herman
      • Deborah Aronson
      • Wendy Leung
      • Cathy Nichols
      • Debbie Wallen
      • Allison Brunwasser
      • Joshua Tomolak
      • Shelley Muzio
      • Laura McGreevy
      • Caryl Felicetta
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • For Financial Advisors
    • For Independent Business Owners
      • Sell-Side M&A Advisory
      • Consulting
    • For Financial Services Firms
      • Recruiting
      • Sell-Side M&A Advisory
    • Case Studies for Financial Advisors
    • Representative Deals
  • FAQs
  • Blog
    • Subscribe for Updates
  • Podcast
    • Industry Update
    • Independence 101 Series
    • Subscribe for Updates
  • News/Media
    • Moves in the News
  • Tools/Resources
    • FAQs for UBS Advisors
    • FAQs for Merrill Advisors
    • Other Tools For Advisors
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter

Podcast

Independence for Financial Advisors

A Diehard Merrill Advisor’s Journey to Independence

Posted by Mindy Diamond

With Michael Henley of Brandywine Oak Private Wealth and Louis Diamond of Diamond Consultants

Like many other advisors who chose to go independent, Michael Henley found himself at a point in his wirehouse career when his professional life became more about “jumping through hoops” for the bank, than it was about doing what was best for his clients. The culture had changed enough that he felt his ability to conduct business in a way that was “objective and conflict-free” was no longer possible.

Michael Henley Independence for Advisors Podcast

What’s really interesting is that Michael is just 34-years old and considered himself a “diehard Merrill Lynch advisor.” As the leader of a team with a partner less than 10 years from retirement, Michael had some tough decisions to make. Ultimately, he said, it came down to this: “We have to do what’s right for our clients and we have to keep our team happy.”

Late last year, Michael and his team launched the hybrid RIA Brandywine Oak Private Wealth—a firm that is representative of two key trends which are on the rise:

  • Younger advisors skipping the typical step of taking a transition deal from another brokerage firm in their first move, and instead betting on the long-term potential of independence.
  • Senior advisors forgoing “retire in place” packages from the wirehouses for the ability to design their own sunset program in the independent space.

Essentially, advisors are betting it all on their own ability to find the way to best serve their clients, grow their businesses, and create a future that meets the needs of each of the team members.

In this episode, Michael explores:

  • The motivations behind his move—and why so early in his career.
  • Why his team, with one member nearing retirement, chose independence over Merrill’s CTP program—and what they did to make “go versus stay” worthwhile.
  • How they reconciled walking away from significant deferred compensation—and how they resolved both start-up costs as well as salaries in the short-term.
  • Why he felt limited in his ability to serve his clients—and how a move to the independent space solved for that.
  • What being “objective and conflict-free” really means to serving clients—and how it impacts building a business for the long-term.
  • Why serving a niche-client base is easier in the independent space—and how he and his team were able to replicate and improve upon client deliverables.
  • How his clients reacted to the move—and at 6 months in, how many of those clients have moved with him.
  • Why he feels getting educated is a critical part of the decision-making process—and how speaking to other Merrill breakaways helped influence his final decision.
  • Why so many younger advisors like him are making the leap so early in their careers—and why it’s a trend that’s likely to continue.
  • Whether he considers himself a “serial entrepreneur”—and if he feels that trait is a requirement for those who want to go independent.
  • His advice for all advisors considering a move to independence, regardless of their age—and how “keeping it simple” is a key principle to his success.

Additionally, Louis Diamond, who worked with Michael through due diligence, provides thoughts on how the “millennial mindset” plays a new role in the changing landscape and offers further background on Michael’s exploration process.

Listen in to learn why Michael says, “Sometimes the word independence can scare people,” and how getting educated can help dispel that fear—regardless of whether you feel independence is the next step in your career.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:51 — 43.6MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | Stitcher | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS


Related Resources

How much is my house worth?
Determining the value of your life’s work using these 7 key drivers. Read->

Follow Me: 5 Steps to Retaining Your Clients During a Move
Before changing firms, take the time to evaluate your relationships with your clients. Read->

How to answer when clients ask, “What’s in it for us?”
A move to the independent space can benefit both advisors and clients. Read->

Multi-Generational Teams at a Crossroads: Wirehouse Sunset Program or Independence?
An in-depth look at the opportunities and options for retiring advisors and the next gen from an expert on the topic. Read->

 

Michael Henley:

As the founder of Brandywine Oak Private Wealth, Michael Henley brings more than a dozen years of experience in providing financial advice and guidance to highly successful families. Previously he worked at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management where he led the advisory team of Henley, Maconi, McGuire, Jackson & Associates. Michael has worked closely with affluent individuals and families, helping them streamline the complexities of significant wealth. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation and the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) designation.

In 2017 and again in 2018, Michael was recognized by Forbes’ “America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors,” being ranked #1 in Delaware and #42 in the nation for 2018. Michael resides in Unionville, Pennsylvania with his wife, Amanda, and their three dogs.

 


This podcast is also available on…

Mindy Diamond on iTunes           Listen on Google Play Music           Diamond Consultants Podcast on YoutUbe

 

Browse other episodes in this podcast series…

You may also be interested in...

Share
0
Mindy Diamond

About Mindy Diamond

President and CEO – By counseling advisors on how to ask the right questions and “dig deep”, she helps them look at all of the opportunities available to find the one that allows them to reach their full potential. That is, to best serve their clients and live a life that is in sync with their own beliefs and values. Learn more...

Subscribe to the Series

Get updated by email when a new episode is added.

Please note that all requests are handled with complete discretion and confidentiality.


 

Other Recent Episodes

  • Advisor Choice: How Models Like Wells Fargo’s First Clearing Offer Optionality and Flexibility
  • Industry Update: Answers to the Top 10 Questions Advisors Ask When Considering Change
  • In Pursuit of Purpose: The Story of a Billion-Dollar Breakaway Turned Fee-Only Independent Entrepreneur
  • Why Some Firms Are “Outperformers”—An Exclusive Deep Dive into the 2020 Schwab RIA Benchmarking Study
Independence 101 The Basics for Advisors
Feedspot Top 35 Podcasts for Financial Advisors
We're available to answer your questions. Contact us

Connect with us

Search

© 2021 · Diamond Financial Consultants, LLC t/a Diamond Consultants. All rights reserved.

  • Home: Leading Financial Advisor Recruiting Firm
  • About
  • Services
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • News/Media
  • Tools/Resources
  • Contact
  • Our Locations
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map