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Podcast

Independence for Financial Advisors

Life After Goldman Sachs: A Story of Extraordinary Success

Posted by Mindy Diamond

A conversation with Justin Berman, Founder and CEO of $3B Berman Capital Advisors

Any advisor who chooses to leave the comfort, familiarity and support of a major firm for independence is nothing less than courageous. But it is especially brave when a Goldman Sachs advisor does so.

Because Goldman advisors face the most onerous of post-employment restrictions: Garden Leave.

And spending 60 to 90 days on the beach is a significant risk that many advisors are reluctant to take. That is, unless they had complete confidence in their client relationships and their own ability to thrive as an independent business owner.

Justin Berman, ex-Goldman Sachs advisorEven today it’s big news when a $1B+ team breaks away, but it’s even bigger news when they’re leaving the prestigious imprimatur of Goldman Sachs to do so.

Yet advisors tell us that things are changing at the firm. So much so that in the last 3 years, we’ve seen more Private Wealth Advisor teams – 14 actually – managing a billion dollars or more change jerseys than in the previous 2 decades combined.

So imagine a Goldman advisor making the leap 10 years ago—that is, to leave the firm and opt for independence at a time when the model wasn’t nearly as mainstream as it is today.

Case in point, a decade ago Justin Berman was running a successful private wealth practice at Goldman Sachs, managing over a billion dollars in assets. But he felt things were changing, limiting his ability to serve his high net worth clients’ needs and continue to grow his business.

So after almost 7 years with the firm, Justin opted to make the biggest leap of all and go independent, forming Atlanta-based Berman Capital Advisors.

Now, with a decade of business ownership under his belt, Justin joins the show to share the pushes and pulls that drove his decision to make such a significant leap. He offers sage advice for any advisor considering a move whether to independence or otherwise, including:

  • Why he chose to build his own firm—and what motivated him to forego an outsized recruiting bonus.
  • How he managed through Garden Leave—and why, despite sitting out 60 days, 90% of his clients still followed.
  • How an advisor can compete against Goldman or any big bank—and how access to a wider range of talent, investments and technology unavailable on bank platforms is a genuine advantage.
  • What he learned was the most important message to communicate to clients about leaving Goldman—and how separation of assets and custody played a key role in that conversation.

As Justin candidly shares, it was the threshold question from his largest client that was most persuasive in his decision to leave Goldman, “Are we getting the very best advice? Are you really able to put your best foot forward to help our family achieve our financial goals without limitation?”

And answering those questions is what he feels the decision to leave is really all about.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:20 — 59.4MB) | Embed

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Related Resources

An Update for Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Advisors (PWAs)
What’s behind the recent departures? Read…

An Open Letter to Goldman Sachs Advisors
What’s driving the momentum? Read…

The Times They Are a Changin’—And So Are the Advisors
What can be learned from the growing trend of advisors leaving Goldman Sachs, regardless of the once seemingly impassable garden leave. Read…

 

 

Justin Berman:

Justin Berman founded Berman Capital Advisors in 2010 as part of his commitment to provide truly objective family office services, wealth management, and investment consulting services to a select group of high-net-worth families.

Prior to launching BCA, Justin was a Vice-President in the Private Wealth Management division of Goldman Sachs & Co., where he was a member of the firm’s Leadership Council. He has also served in the Investment Advisory Group at myCFO, Inc. and in the Private Client Group at Arthur Andersen & Co.

Justin is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Georgetown University where he served as Varsity Tennis Captain and was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist. He also holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania where he was named a Palmer Scholar.

Justin is active in community affairs and serves as Chairman of the Board of My Journey Matters and is on the board of trustees of The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, Leadership Atlanta, Grady Health Foundation, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Justin is also involved in the Young Presidents’ Organization. He and his wife, Mara, reside in Atlanta and have three children


This podcast is also available on…

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About Mindy Diamond

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...

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    WHAT OUR LISTENERS ARE SAYING…

    • Your podcast helped me a ton during my due diligence. There is no replacement for hearing from others who were successful leaving the wires. You are doing great things for the industry.

      Rory O’Hara
      Founder, Senior Managing Partner – Ausperity Private Wealth
    • A fantastic bundle of wisdom from one of the very best Curators of all things Wealth Management.

      Jim Dickson
      Founder - Sanctuary Wealth
    • I love the fact that you are talking a diverse group of people in our industry and educating us all. We are all doing our own thing, so it’s helpful listening to other interviews and hearing about different approaches to the business.

      Brock Moseley
      Founder, Miracle Mile Advisors
    • I didn’t realize what I could do until I heard what other advisors were doing. Then week after week, it was like the gaps were filled in. Without it, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go independent. Even after transitioning, I still can’t wait for Thursday mornings to hear the latest interview.

      Jerry Davidse
      CEO, Presilium Private Wealth
    • Best new resource I have come across in a long while.

      Daniel Gude
      Senior VP at LPL Financial
    • I would say one of the best things I ever did was listen to your podcast. I listened to it a thousand times. There are so many aspects to explore. You’re driving blind until you actually engage a professional.

      Michael Henley
      Founder & CEO, Brandywine Oak Private Wealth
    • Fantastic Podcast and a must-listen for anyone considering Independence!

      Robert Walter
      President, Sanctuary Wealth
    • This is outstanding. Every team considering independence should listen.

      Chris Cooke
      Managing Partner, Cooke Financial Group
    • Every advisor at a brokerage firm should listen to this podcast. I’m convinced that most advisors don’t realize their real value. Do your research. You deserve your true value and going out on your terms. It’s your life’s work. Even if you don’t transition to independence, know your value and options in order to make an educated decision.

      Robert Harris
      Senior Wealth Advisor, Avidian Wealth Solutions

     

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