In a world of constant motion, innovation is paramount. But it shouldn’t come at the cost of upheaval and confusion.

The trajectory of innovation is rarely a straight line — and rarely a process completed in isolation. Whether building the latest wealth management application, rethinking a business model, or weighing an acquisition, technological and practical innovation means considering both potential advantages and disadvantages. The implications for a misstep along the path of progress can be outsized, but in a world of constant motion, staying the same is rarely tenable.

From coaching to investment models, here’s a closer look at why customization can be so important for financial advisors.

What does a homemade birthday card, a vanity license plate, and a financial plan have in common? Whether celebrating someone special, adding a pithy combination of letters and numbers to a vehicle, or offering bespoke advice, they all showcase the power and promise of personalization.

As most financial advisors are likely aware, there is a difference between the date when you trade a security and the date the transaction settles.

There’s a big difference between relational and transactional interactions. Here’s why we believe in relationships.

Making a sale is an exciting, necessary, and important step to growing a business. In wealth management, the products and services sold range from financial plans and investment management to insurance and trusts.

10 Points to Evaluate in Your Next Provider.

Robb Baldwin, founder, president, and CEO of TradePMR, discusses the slowing organic growth in wealth management and how to fix it.

In a recent guest column for WealthManagement.com¹, TradePMR founder and CEO Robb Baldwin examines some new data that suggests many RIAs are no longer growing organically.  

AI is already impacting your business. Here’s why you shouldn’t be ignoring it.

Get ready for TradePMR’s CE-credited webinar on the impacts of artificial intelligence as Chief Client Growth Officer Bill Coppel and Atlas Point’s Head of Behavioral Science, Liz Strait, discuss the future of wealth management.

The exclusive live webinar will be held on March 14 at 2pm ET. Sign up today. 

We're particular about the words we use. Here's why.

Business leaders and entrepreneurs know the power of intentional and thoughtful communication. In the wealth management industry, terms like “custodian” and “best interest” take on whole new meanings that are immensely dependent on context. Meanwhile, debates continue to swirl on whether products and services are “bought” or “sold.”  

The RIA technology and custodial services provider ranked 10^th among midsized companies in Florida.

GAINESVILLE and TAMPA, Fla. – February 07, 2024 – TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), ranked ninth in the Greater Gainesville Best Places to Work survey, featured in the December 2023 issue of the Guide to Greater Gainesville Monthly.¹ The honor comes on the heels of TradePMR being named one of the Best Companies To Work For in Florida for the second consecutive year.² Florida Trend magazine ranked TradePMR 10^th among midsized companies in July³ after ranking the company 13^th in the same category in 2022.

Robb Baldwin, Joe Duran and Dan Kreuter marked the unofficial start to conference season with a look at client service and entrepreneurism in wealth management.

At TradePMR, we’ve never been shy about setting high expectations and the right tone. In light of that, TradePMR Founder and CEO Robb Baldwin commemorated the unofficial start of the 2024 conference season with an invite-only M&A Symposium during the first day of the Technology Tools for Today (T3) conference. Joining Baldwin was Joe Duran, CEO of Rise Growth Partners and founder of United Capital, and Dan Kreuter, CEO of Gladstone Group.

The Fusion platform’s online portfolio management tool also received top ranking for advisor satisfaction.

GAINESVILLE and TAMPA, Fla. – January 24, 2024 - TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), received the highest average advisor satisfaction rating from 2,917 financial advisors for its Fusion platform in both the Custodial Platforms and Online Portfolio Management categories. These rankings were highlighted in the 2024 T3/Inside Information Survey¹, an annual survey distributed and analyzed by industry veterans Joel Bruckenstein and Bob Veres that was released Tuesday at the T3 Technology Conference in Las Vegas. The survey results were based on anonymous feedback collected from November and December, 2023.

Ken Block and Drew Copeland of Sister Hazel will perform at the fundraiser which benefits the band’s non-profit pediatric cancer charity, Lyrics for Life.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – October 3, 2023 - TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisors, will host its seventh annual Oktoberfest fundraiser on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. ET at TradePMR headquarters, 2511 NW 41^st St in Gainesville, Fla. The event will feature craft beer selections from Gainesville’s own Blackadder Brewing as well as wine from Dorn’s Liquor and Wine Warehouse. Oktoberfest will also host Cilantro Tacos and B’z Gelati food trucks for dinner and dessert. Ken Block and Drew Copeland from Sister Hazel will perform. A l proceeds from Oktoberfest benefits the band’s non-profit foundation, Lyrics for Life.

TradePMR Chief Growth Officer, Bill Coppel, to take the stage and discuss the intersection of AI and the wealth management space.

GAINESVILLE and TAMPA, Fla. – September 13, 2023 - TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), today announced the conferences that it will be hitting the road in support of the wealth management and fintech industry during the second half of 2023. The firm is attending conferences to meet with growth-minded advisors in person about the trends impacting their businesses including new RIA software and evolving RIA custodial platforms.

4 Steps to Begin Building Your Brand.

Putting your clients in the best position to succeed.

In 2019, the SEC released the Regulation Best Interest rule¹.

The curated program delivers knowledge, skills, and insights from recognized thought leaders to registered investment advisors working with TradePMR. 

GAINESVILLE and TAMPA, Fla. – June 2, 2023 - TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), announced today a new kind of service offering: Advisor Evolution Sciences (AES). AES is a curated offering designed to help RIAs continually evolve their businesses to capitalize on shifting industry trends and meet expanding client expectations. The launch of AES was announced at TradePMR’s annual SYNERGY conference taking place this week in Tampa, Fla.

This offering features a streamlined user experience, as well as new basket trading capabilities and an enhanced communication system.

GAINESVILLE and TAMPA, Fla. – June 1, 2023- TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), announced today at its annual SYNERGY conference that it has launched a new version of its Fusion technology platform. With this launch, Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) working with TradePMR can now access the provider’s top-rated technology¹ from desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The reimagined platform delivers a completely refreshed user experience as well as expanded trading capabilities and a secure Message Center.

The financial advisor event anticipates a record number of attendees with a robust slate of speakers, sponsors, and sessions over three days.

Gainesville and Tampa, Fla. – May 18, 2023 – TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), today announced details for its annual SYNERGY conference, which kicks off in Tampa, Fla., May 31-June 2. The conference marks the first time the company has hosted its annual gathering of RIAs in the Tampa Bay area since expanding its offices outside Gainesville, Fla., in 2020. The SYNERGY23 theme “Accelerate” focuses on insights, services, and solutions designed to propel RIA operations and growth.

The integration offers advisors single sign-on capabilities,

data feed connectivity, as well as a FIX trading connection.

Gainesville, Fla. And Chicago, Ill., May 16, 2023. TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for registered investment advisers (RIAs), announced today an expanded technology integration with Advyzon, an all-in-one, cloud-based financial advisor technology platform. The integration is intended to streamline workflows for registered investment advisers (RIAs) working with TradePMR and Advyzon.

Advisors cover travel and lodging, we’ll provide the experience, education, and networking opportunities.

SYNERGY is more than a conference – it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to network with other growth-minded RIAs, to uncover solutions that can potentially facilitate firm growth, and to learn how TradePMR is evolving its offering to meet advisor needs.

Four Crucial Pillars for Your Cyber Program

The attorney and former CEO brings 25 years of

leadership in financial services to TradePMR.

GAINESVILLE and TAMPA, Fla. – April 6, 2023 - TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), announced today that it has added Charles Reiling as Chief Risk Officer. For more than two decades, Reiling has helped lead financial services organizations across the country. Reiling is admitted to the bar in Maryland and will leverage his financial services and legal expertise to support TradePMR and the RIAs it serves.

The new report also decodes proposed cybersecurity regulations financial advisors must comply with to better protect firm, clients.

GAINESVILLE and TAMPA, Fla. – April 4, 2023 – TradePMR has published a new white paper for Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) which addresses a critical issue facing the industry: cybersecurity. The report titled, “Understanding Cybersecurity and Mitigating Risk,” discusses the history of cybersecurity regulations, components of an effective RIA cybersecurity program, and the potential impact proposed legislative changes could have on a firm’s cybersecurity responsibilities. The paper was written by industry veterans Joel Bruckenstein, president of Technology Tools for Today, John O'Connell, founder of The Oasis Group, and Brian Edelman, founder and CEO of FCI.

How registered investment advisers can help ensure their next RIA custodian offers the support they need to meet their goals.

Advisors considering a change in RIA custodians face a difficult challenge, but not an insurmountable one.

The relationship is intended to provide RIAs with easier access to CircleBlack’s CRM integrations, white labeled client portal and mobile app, performance reporting, and more.

Jersey City, NJ and Gainesville, Fla., March 15, 2023 - CircleBlack, an all-in-one platform for relationship-focused advisors, and TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider, announced today a new integration. The relationship is designed to enable RIAs working with TradePMR to leverage CircleBlack’s core capabilities including performance reporting, trading and rebalancing, billing, and document vault, along with integrations in place with the leading wealthtech vendors across CRM, planning, risk analysis, and more.

Coppel joins the TradePMR team as Vice President of Practice Management.

GAINESVILLE and TAMPA, Fla. – March 13, 2023 - TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisors, announced today that it has added Bill Coppel as Vice President of Practice Management. For more than 30 years, Bill has led strategy, business development, marketing, sales management, and professional development in the wealth management and clearing/custody industries. In this new role, Coppel will be charged with expanding TradePMR’s practice management and advisor growth resources.

How RIAs can build a tech stack designed to support their team and their culture.

For RIAs, finding the right technology can be critical. Technology doesn’t just save advisors time; it can transform their practice and provide the infrastructure they need to meet their short- and long-term goals.

And 8 crucial components to consider in building out an RFP timeline.

Regardless of if a firm has $100 million or $10 billion in AUM, every RIA will likely consider a change in custodians at some point. If your firm’s custodian has been acquired, that change will come soon - either on your provider’s timeline or on your own terms.

Secure a future for your RIA and your clients.

Owning and operating a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm is a dream come true for many advisors. With the independence model, advisors can run their businesses the way they want, from client service to growth plans to RIA technology choices.

Delivering the tools that RIAs need to serve their clients and grow their businesses.

With the proliferation of investor-facing fintech and robo-advisor technology, clients demand a better digital experience from their financial advisors than ever before. Clients expect their advisors to provide more than investment management - they’re looking for a guide that can support every aspect of their financial lives with complexity and clarity.

Make sure your RIA’s next provider has the pricing, cybersecurity, and data policies to support your business.

Before signing on with a new RIA custodian, advisors likely follow a few common steps: develop a list of providers, connect with other advisors, take technology demos, to name a few.

Lake Oswego, OR. – February 7, 2023 – Today, TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), announced a collaboration with the succession planning firm, FP Transitions, to provide integrated practice management and tailored consulting services to advisors on the TradePMR Fusion platform.

Two downloadable guides to help advisors find their next provider.

While independent financial advisors likely leverage a slate of RIA software and service solutions for their businesses, at the core of their tech stack is their RIA custodian.

How TradePMR looks to deliver evolving tech, comprehensive integrations, and hands-on support.

RIA custodians should be 100% focused on helping advisors serve their clients. To do so, these providers need to deliver on two key points: technology and service.

Could an RFP help your firm find the best-fit provider for your unique team?

Hundreds of RIAs across the country will tackle an RIA custodian transition this year. Some will move on their own terms, while others will take part in a major RIA custodian merger.

RIA technology flexibility to fit how you run your business.

According to the Financial AdvisorTech Solutions map published by Kitces.com¹, there are over 100 third-party technology vendors for registered investment advisors (RIAs) to choose from. The question becomes: what’s the right fit for your business?

2023 is here, and so are New Year’s resolutions.

Tips to find the best-fit RIA custodian in the new year.

Big-box stores have coopted the term value – as a result, it’s easy for us to associate a “good value” with something that’s cheap.

A tailored approach to RIA custodian transitions could save your firm future headaches.

Any financial advisor can attest that first impressions are crucial in relationship building. They often set the tone when establishing a new client relationship and can determine how fast (or slow) you can close a new client.

How TradePMR founder Robb Baldwin’s experience with an RIA custodian merger could help advisors prepare for 2023.

Thousands of RIAs across the country are preparing for an RIA custodian merger in 2023. While this moment may feel unprecedented, it is far from the first RIA custodian merger.

Make sure your firm has the right RIA custodian technology and service in the new year.

Running an RIA can be a daunting task. It seems that every year there are new industry forces to contend with, new technologies to learn, and new regulations to navigate.

Get the Custodial Assessment Guide to Help Streamline Your Search.

Evaluating prospective RIA custodians can be tricky. Whether an RIA is approaching a custodian merger, or is otherwise considering a change in providers, there are a ton of points to evaluate before signing on.

Service considerations ahead of your RIA custodian merger.

Right now, there are hundreds of RIAs facing what could be a tricky situation for their businesses – a rapidly approaching RIA custodian merger.

Not All RIA Custodians Approach Data the Same Way.

Do you own your client data? This can be a loaded question for many RIAs.

How to evaluate if a provider can fully support your business

Advisors considering a change in RIA custodians face a difficult task. There are seemingly endless factors to consider before making the leap and adding a new platform.

Get the case study and learn how Fairhaven Wealth Management moved over $700M in assets on their tight timeline.

In 2020 Chicago-based Fairhaven Wealth Management decided it was time to change RIA custodians.

Does your RIA custodian share your goals?

If your RIA is one of thousands currently navigating a custodian merger, you’re facing a difficult challenge. You need to carefully carry over important data and account information, consistently communicate updates on the move to clients, and learn an entirely new service and technology ecosystem.

Custodian Merging? Was your firm bought out? Compliance Concerns?

There are currently trillions of dollars about to transition because of RIA custodian mergers. This massive amount of assets will need to move platforms, and in a relatively short timeframe.

The innovative arrangement is intended to simplify and automate key workflows RIAs manage, providing enhanced reporting for their clients while streamlining the billing process.

Eagan, MN and Gainesville, FL. November 9, 2022. Panoramix, an innovative advisor technology platform, and TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider, announced today a new technology integration intended to streamline and automate many of the processes for performance reporting and billing workflows RIAs are managing in their advisory businesses.

RIAs approaching a merger or otherwise considering a change in RIA custodians face a difficult task: finding the provider that’s the best fit for their unique firm.

Check all the important boxes before signing on with your next provider.

Advisors that are considering a change in RIA custodians face a difficult challenge. Switching providers isn’t easy - it’s important to take the time to ensure your next provider is the right fit for the business in the long-term.

One thing we've learned from nearly 25 years of serving RIAs is that size does not determine the complexity of a firm's needs. Each RIA is unique and faces its own set of challenges and opportunities.

Don’t settle for flashy marketing – secure the best custodial pricing for your clients.

Big-name custodians with a retail offering serve two masters – RIAs and retail investors. That split focus means these providers divide their time and resources. Developing technologies and services that entice advisors as well as retail customers is a tall order, and offerings that benefit to one group may not always make sense for the other.

Avoid some common mistakes ahead of your big move.

You have made the decision to switch custodians or possibly add a new one to the roster. Now what?

How TradePMR enables RIAs to work how they want. 

Every RIA is unique with different structures, challenges, and opportunities. As these firms grow, those structures, challenges, and opportunities become increasingly complex.

TradePMR’s approach to RIA custodial services.

Advisors who are approaching a custodian merger or are otherwise considering a change in RIA custodians are facing a big decision.

Rule #1: Don’t let M&A derail your business.

With thousands of advisors approaching a major RIA custodian merger, it’s important to reflect on how these mergers have gone in the past.

Departmental Swim Lanes and How TradePMR Adjusts Based on Advisor Feedback

Over 89% of big data has been produced within the last 2 years1. Big data refers to larger, more complex data sets that cannot be analyzed with traditional data-processing applications. Technology development is growing exponentially and is becoming increasingly complex every year.  

Updated April 11, 2024

Before you sign on the dotted line, know what you’re paying for and don’t be afraid to negotiate.

When evaluating prospective RIA custodians, advisors are often bombarded with information. Expansive technology breakdowns, overwhelming vendor lists, and confusing rate sheets.

Poor communication from a RIA custodian could hurt your firm.

When you call into a massive call center, does it feel like you’re never going to get an answer to your question? That you’ll waste hours on end trying to track down the right person for help?

Find the right providers to support your unique RIA

According to data from the SEC, about 30% of RIAs with between $100 million and $250 million in client assets use multiple custodians. That number jumps to 72% for firms with over $5 billion in assets. The data across the board shows that as firms increase in size, they tend to leverage more than one RIA custodian.¹

How TradePMR delivers white-glove service every step of the way.

Service can make or break an advisor’s relationship with their RIA custodian.

Is your RIA custodian completely focused on your needs?

Question: does your current RIA custodian compete against your firm for new clients? Here’s a hint – if they are serving individual investors or have a retail channel the answer is probably yes.

Answer all your burning questions before you sign on with your next provider.

Advisors that are considering a change in RIA custodians have a big task ahead of them. Making the move takes a lot of work but can bring immense benefits for a growing firm. The big challenge: finding the right provider to fit a RIA’s unique needs.

Does your RIA have the tools and information you need to succeed?

RIA custodians are more than technology and service providers – they are stewards of data.

How TradePMR has built a team of RIA service specialists

Waiting on hold can be incredibly frustrating – and quite frankly, it can feel like a waste of time. The only thing that makes the experience worse is when an advisor takes the time to wait it out only to connect with someone who doesn’t understand their problem and can’t help them find a solution.

Make a move with confidence and secure the future of your business.

Advisors that decide to launch an RIA are a unique group. They are entrepreneurs who love to have control over their businesses. With every decision, these advisors look to improve the opportunities for their firm, their team, and their clients.

Don’t get caught with sub-par service when you need it most.

With the Fed announcing further rate hikes to fight inflation, the economic community is bracing for what could be an extended period of market volatility.¹ For financial advisors, volatility is simply part of the business. In fact, many advisors see market volatility as an opportunity to show value to clients. To be there when they need support the most – staying in front of them and showing how the planning and preparation has kept them on track to meet their long-term goals.

Experience How TradePMR’s Fusion Technology Could Benefit Your Unique Business (and how to drive your demo and not waste time being sold)

Evaluating prospective technology providers is no small feat. There are hundreds of technology vendors for RIAs to choose from, it’s hard to even know where to begin.

TradePMR's Customer Advisor Panel Drives the Fusion Platform Development

TradePMR was founded nearly 25 years ago by Robb Baldwin, a former RIA (registered investment advisor).

How to Give the Pre-Game Pep Talk Before Moving RIA Custodians

Picture this: a brisk Superbowl Sunday. Your team’s huddled in the locker room getting ready for the biggest game of the year. Before kickoff, the captains lead a rousing pre-game pep talk. The whole team is fired up: there’s yelling, chanting, and a realignment on strategy to take home the win.

How RIAs can broaden their services without derailing their businesses.

Over the past two decades, financial planning offerings have spread throughout the wealth management industry. What was once seen as a niche offering has become increasingly commonplace among RIAs.

Since its inception, TradePMR prioritizes service over size.

Being one of the biggest firms in any industry can have perks. With size comes scale, and a company can make significant acquisitions – in essence, buy their way to become the biggest (after complying with anti-trust laws). After proper approvals are gained, that mentality may work for a firm's bottom line, but what impact does it have on the clients it serves?

Get the Four-Point Checklist to help guide your discussions.

So, it’s time for “the talk” with your clients.

Tips to select the RIA technologies to support your unique business.

RIAs face a unique challenge when it comes to technology: too many choices.

Don’t get stuck on an unreasonable transition timeline - control your RIA’s future

During an RIA custodian merger, there can be a lot of uncertainty. It seems like the story changes depending on the day.

Tips to align your technology and custodial services search with your long-term goals and success.

Carpenters have a saying, “measure twice, cut once”. A similar sentiment can be shared about searching for a new RIA technology and custodial services provider.

The RIA technology and custodial services provider ranked 13^th among midsized companies in the Sunshine State.

Gainesville and Tampa, Fla. – August 10, 2022 – TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), has been named as one of Florida’s Best Companies to Work For. This is the first time the growing company has been named to the list featured in the August 2022 issue of Florida Trend magazine. TradePMR ranked 13^th among mid-sized companies.

How RIAs can benefit from a custom pricing structure designed to fit how they serve investors.

In recent years, multiple RIA custodians announced that they were moving to “zero-fee trading.” But what does that really mean? Does it mean free? Or no custodial fees?

How RIAs can help ensure their next RIA custodian offers the support they need to succeed.

Let’s face it, migrating clients to a new custodial service provider sounds like a big task – and it is. It will require extra time and it can potentially be a disruption to a RIA’s business. However, if handled properly, a trained transition team should be able to mitigate the short-term impact on advisors and their clients, while setting the firm up for long-term success.

Transitioning to TradePMR’s Fusion Platform Has Never Been Easier

RIAs (Registered Investment Advisors) now have access to a new tool designed to streamline their transition process. TradePMR has developed and launched a new account transfer tool focused on simplifying and accelerating the process for advisors to transition client accounts to TradePMR’s Fusion platform.

Approach to integrations, unwavering focus on RIAs, personalized pricing to facilitate success, and strong investments to promote firm growth.

For any financial advisor that follows the industry news, it seems as if there is a new M&A deal being announced daily. In fact, according to DeVoe & Company’s RIA Deal Book, Q1 2022 saw the second highest level of M&A activity among RIAs out of any quarter dating back to 2013. The only quarter that was higher than Q1 of 2022? Q4 of 2021.¹

Connect with the next-gen, establish relationships with centers of influence, and build your brand.

The great wealth transfer is underway. Cerulli Associates anticipates that $72.6 trillion in assets will be transferred to heirs before 2045.¹ The challenge for advisors? Winning the business of those heirs.

How firms can benefit from RIA Custodians that look to beyond the advisor.

Advisors who decide to start an RIA fit a specific mold. They’re driven entrepreneurs looking to have control over their business. They’re looking to grow their practice how they want and build their teams in a way that will support those growth goals.

How advisors can mitigate risk and strengthen client relationships throughout periods of volatility.

Financial advisors are potentially staring down the barrel of a recession – the markets are volatile, and the historical indicators point to a possible bear market. According to the team at Goldman Sachs, there is a 30% chance of a recession occurring over the next year, up from 15% in their last projection from earlier this year. Similarly, Bank of America predicts a 40% chance of a recession in 2023¹.

Momentary Pain of Change vs. Long-Term Pain of Regret

For some advisors, the RIA custodian transition process can seem insurmountable.

How advisors can build a more effective online presence

The ways that consumers find products and services has changed drastically over the past couple decades. While word-of-mouth may have been a sufficient marketing strategy back in the day, it could fall short for modern investors.

Learn about the RIA technology and custodial service provider’s formula for service.

The math is simple: custodians have a finite number of support team members. As the custodian adds more advisors, there are fewer support team members per advisor until that custodian can add more staff.

Sift through the bias and get the inside scoop on your next RIA custodian platform before you sign on.

It's been said that wealth management is indeed a relationship industry. Advisors work tirelessly to build and nurture strong relationships with clients. As any RIA will tell you, maintaining good relationships is practically a full-time job. But a client referral is among the most significant benefits of all the hard work.

Amazon, Google, and Apple use it – what can data do for your RIA firm?

Did you know that Amazon collects around one exabyte of purchase data from its customer base – an exabyte equates to around one billion gigabytes.¹ In short, they have a ton of data.

Investments in Service, Expansions to Technology, and a Continued Focus on RIAs

1,097 days. That’s how long TradePMR had to wait between annual SYNERGY conferences as the world navigated a pandemic.

Everyone can benefit from an occasional check-in.

Mechanics suggest cars should get an oil change every six months. The dentist recommends teeth cleaning twice a year. In fact, water filters require replacement every two months.

How financial advisors (and their clients) can make the move with confidence.

Time to talk about the elephant in the room: client attrition during an RIA custodian transition. Even if a new custodial service platform could be the right fit for an RIA, the potential negative impact of that transition can be enough to push off a move.

Why a down-market shouldn’t stop RIAs from finding the right provider.

There is an old saying in business, never waste a recession. RIAs and their clients are all asking the same question – are we staring down the barrel of a recession?

Key Takeaways from TradePMR’s Panel at the T3 Advisor Conference

The RIA technology landscape is evolving rapidly - it seems like there are new platforms popping up daily to support nearly every aspect of an RIA’s operations.

Moving Custodians Doesn’t Have to Derail an RIA’s Business

Thousands of data points, ample opportunities for human error, client relationships on the line. For RIAs, the stakes couldn’t be higher when transitioning custodians.

Key traits to RIA Custodian Platform Evolution: Robust Planning Meets Flexibility

Every year, Apple releases a new iPhone. User experiences are continually updated for Netflix and Hulu. Amazon Prime refreshes delivery recommendations and expands how users can place orders online. Teams at the most innovative companies work tirelessly to make sure their product evolves with consumer expectations to deliver what makes the most sense in today’s market.

Transition Technology and Custodial Services Providers with Confidence after a Live Demo with TradePMR’s Team

We’ve all heard the RIA custodial transition horror stories: confusing technology, non-existent support, time-intensive manual processes. It’s no wonder many RIAs opt to stay with their current providers. Even if they feel a change could benefit their business in the long-term, the fear of the transition can hold them back.

How advisor feedback influences the development of TradePMR’s Fusion platform – the top-rated Custodial Platform three of the last four years.

TradePMR’s Fusion technology was recently named the top-rated Custodial Platform and Online Portfolio Management Tool in the T3/Inside Information Advisor Software Survey¹.

Registered Investment Advisors converge on SYNERGY22 in Orlando, Fla. in record numbers.

Orlando, Fla., May 24, 2022  -- TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), will kick off its signature conference SYNERGY22 Unleashed, on Wednesday May 25 through Friday, May 27 at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. The event marks the return of the annual conference that gathers Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) from across the country with some of the wealth management industry's top technology and service providers for the first time since 2019.

Technologies like TradePMR’s Fusion platform may offer more capabilities than RIAs realize

RIAs looking to build a tech stack face a big challenge: where to begin?

Financial advisors also ranked the Fusion platform the top Online Portfolio Management Tool.

Gainesville, Fla. – May 11, 2022 – TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for RIAs, received the highest average advisor satisfaction rating from more than 4,495 financial advisors for its Fusion platform in both the Custodial Platforms and Online Portfolio Management categories. These rankings were highlighted in the T3/Inside Information Survey¹, an annual survey distributed and analyzed by industry veterans Joel Bruckenstein and Bob Veres that was released at the T3 Advisor Conference in Denton, Texas. The survey results were collected from December 2021 through March 2022.

It is not surprising that RIA firms capture and have access to an enormous amount of data about their prospects and clients. Many advisory firms capture a large amount of client data during their initial discovery process with the client, and that data continues to build over the course of the client relationship.

Why TradePMR exclusively works with RIAs

A niche can be powerful for a business.

Get the Custodial Assessment Guide

When booking a flight, we all probably start by looking at the big airlines like Delta, JetBlue, American Airlines. If we’re getting a new phone provider, we probably start with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile.

Written by Joel Bruckenstein, Technology Tools for Today, and John O'Connell, Oasis Group, the duo asks financial advisors one question – do you own your client data, or does your vendor?

We believe that genuine white-glove service is a one-to-one service, not lip service.

Your call is important to us. Please stay on the line while we connect you with a representative... 45-minutes later, you’re right where you started. Sound familiar?

If you’re shopping for a new cable provider, you expect to get a pricing rate sheet. Pay X, get these channels, pay Y, get these channels, and so on and so forth. No customization; just pick one of the packages – it may not have everything you want, and you’ll probably get stuck paying for some channels that you’ll never watch, but that’s how it’s done.

RIA firm data can influence everything from operations to client service to firm valuation. But before advisors can look to analyze and utilize that data, they need to figure out what data they have. One of the first points about data that we need to clarify is how that data is formatted. Data sets can be considered either structured or unstructured.

Get the case study on Brian Bischoff’s journey to TradePMR

When breaking away from a wirehouse to launch a new RIA, advisors are faced with a significant decision. Do they choose to work with a big-name custodian that they’ve known about for years? Or do they leap and work with a more boutique offering that could be a better fit for their business but may not have the scale they’re used to from their wirehouse?

How TradePMR Shapes Technology to Address RIA Needs

At TradePMR, we believe that for technology to fit the needs of RIAs, it must evolve. What worked five years ago may not make sense today, and almost certainly will be outdated five years from now.

Get the Case Study on Bischoff Wealth Management

Brian Bischoff started his career like many other RIAs: at a wirehouse. Today, he is a principal and financial advisor at Bischoff Wealth Management in Greenwood, Indiana.

How TradePMR’s approach to service and support is designed to fit the unique needs of RIAs

“White-glove service” is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot. It seems like every vendor boasts white-glove service, but what does that really mean?

Join the Fusion Roadmap Preview session on Friday, May 27 on-site in Orlando

SYNERGY22 is rapidly approaching, and there is a lot to look forward to. While there will be no shortage of exciting sessions, guest speakers and networking events, there is one time slot that we're particularly excited for – Fusion Roadmap Preview: 10 a.m. ET on Friday, May 27.

Download our Data Questions Worksheet

Do you own your data? That may sound like a strange question. Why wouldn’t you own it? It’s yours after all!

Download our On-Demand Webinar, White Paper, and Data Worksheet

How we Built Our Service Offering to Support Growth-Minded Financial Advisors

TradePMR started with one big goal in mind: to offer RIAs a custodial service provider that understands their needs and provides support and technology designed to facilitate their success. For more than 20 years, we feel like we’ve done just that.

Join us May 25^th – ­27^th at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been three years since our last SYNERGY conference. With the pandemic forcing us to push off our 2020 and 2021 in-person events, we’re more eager now than ever for a reunion.

What Advisors Can Learn from My RIA Firm’s Custodial Merger

I started my career as a financial advisor. I was one of the few advisors who launched an RIA back in the 90s – I immediately fell in love. I loved having the freedom to build my business the way I wanted to and work with clients the way I had always envisioned. I felt like the independent model let me focus 100% on my clients without any conflicts of interest. Having started my career as a broker at a larger financial institution, owning my own RIA was a dream come true.

Listen to Our On-Demand Webinar to Learn How TradePMR Helps RIAs Make the Move

RIAs face difficult decisions every day. They are constantly looking for ways to improve their business while maintaining stellar service for their clients. Even when there is an opportunity to enhance the technology suite or upgrade providers, the anticipated pain of change can be enough for advisors to push off a move.

Updated April 10, 2024

Pricing starts with a conversation, not a rate sheet

If you’re thinking of moving to a different home, you would probably like to see the new place in person before making one of life’s significant financial commitments. You can get an idea of what the house looks like from pictures, but it’s always better to walk the halls and make sure you know what you’re buying before determining a fair offer.

An Old-School Approach to Service to Complement Advanced Technology

Over the past year, many of us have had to change our travel plans. Canceling flights: a simple task that is never easy. We’re forced to navigate the endless phone menus of major airlines, all while trying to make sure we can get some refund to use on a future trip. By the end of the experience, the time we’ve wasted to cancel the flight often feels like more trouble than it’s worth. It makes us miss the days when we could speak to someone on the phone.

TradePMR CEO and Founder Robb Baldwin has published a piece in this year’s WealthManagement Midyear Outlook titled, “Take Control of Your Custodial Transition.” Having tackled hundreds of technology and custodial service moves over the years, Robb shares his advice on steps RIAs can take to streamline their custodial service and technology transition. He points to the importance of owning client data, how advisors can leverage the strength of their entire team and offers advice on how RIAs can keep their clients front and center throughout their transition.

A Q&A with TradePMR Head of Trading, Jason Simmons

RIAs utilizing the Fusion platform can access the advanced trading tool at no additional cost.

With a strong vaccination rollout and states nationwide removing COVID-19 restrictions, everything is starting to feel “normal.” While we’re all likely going to keep up some of our pandemic practices – for example Zoom meetings and hybrid office models – there will certainly be a return to in-person meetings and events. So, how can we navigate this move? How can advisors capture this moment to create opportunities for their business?

Get Your Firm's Tech Stack Trim and Fit this Summer

Summer is a great time to take a deep breath, relax, and realign. Of course, there is plenty of work to be done, but in the proverbial summer slowdown, many advisors block off time to take stock of what is working and what is not. Are budgets and goals for the year in alignment with their spending and growth? Is the firm in the best position to succeed moving forward?

A new account uploader tool could solve two of an advisor's biggest operational challenges when switching custodians - opening and transferring accounts.

Trying to decide which technology and custodial service provider is right for your firm? The process is a time-consuming task. We know your time is limited, so we put together a high-level overview of what you and your team can expect to learn during the 30-minute on-demand Fusion technology demo.

At TradePMR, data security is a top priority. Maintaining the confidentiality of your clients’ data is necessary, and we work to make sure we are doing everything in our power to protect that data. To that end, we recently decided to undergo a voluntary System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II audit. This test provides an assessment of our security and privacy control environment and is a way for us to confirm if our current systems are working effectively in maintaining data security. The audit was conducted to evaluate TradePMR’s broker-dealer services and our advisor management software.

Why should financial advisors care that TradePMR's Fusion platform ranked number one in advisor satisfaction among some of the most popular custodial platforms in the 2021 T3/Inside Information Advisor Software Survey?¹ Simple – because your peers voted it number #1. Advisors who use it day-in and day-out see how its different, not just industry judges. While good technology and service may seem like table stakes, we'd like to highlight what these concepts mean to us at TradePMR and why, we believe, advisors using our Fusion platform ranked it at the top of some of the most popular custodial platforms.

Financial advisors return the firm's Fusion platform to the top of the ranks for the second time.

Gainesville, Fla. – March 23, 2021 – TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for RIAs, received the highest average advisor satisfaction rating from more than 5,200 financial advisors for its Fusion platform. This recognition, which asks advisors to compare all the top custodial services providers' trading platforms, was included in the T3/Inside Information Advisor Software Survey¹. The annual survey, distributed and analyzed by industry veterans Joel Bruckenstein and Bob Veres, was released this week following an online survey collection in the second half of 2020.

Adhesion Wealth^® (Adhesion), a Vestmark company, and TradePMR today announced the outsourced investment management solution is now available to registered investment adviser (RIA) customers utilizing TradePMR’s Fusion platform.

TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider that works exclusively with Registered Investment Advisors, is expanding. The firm has announced the opening of an operations center in Tampa, Fla. The new location will house a variety of positions in technology including IT, infrastructure, development, and business operations such as trading and business analysts.

New integration with Flyer available to automate trading with third-party portfolio management and rebalancing platforms.

Robb Baldwin, founder and CEO of TradePMR, has been recognized in conjunction with John Peluso, head of First Clearing, for their efforts to launch an RIA channel within a wirehouse. The magazine cites,

TradePMR to match dollar-for-dollar on wristband sales up to $1000.

Momentum continues in 2019: The technology and custodial services provider named to CIO Review’s 50 Most Promising FinTech Solutions Providers of 2019.¹

2019 Synergy RIA Conference Recap

The technology and custody services provider recognized for ‘white-glove’ approach to service and responsiveness to financial advisor requests.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – May 10, 2019 – TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider, has been named a winner of the 2019 Excellence in Customer Service Award presented by Business Intelligence Group. TradePMR was one of seven small businesses from across the globe that was recognized as organization of the year for providing a differentiated level of customer service.

The technology and custodial services provider announces dates, speakers for annual advisor conference Synergy.

GAINESVILLE, Fla., April 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider, is rolling out new augmented reality technology for advisor recruitment. The technology, which blends virtual objects with real-world settings, is intended to give financial advisors a preview of what it would be like to work with TradePMR. The first experience, an invitation to the firm's annual advisor conference Synergy 2019, was released to advisors today. Future uses include a virtual tour of TradePMR's headquarters and tech demonstrations all with built-in messages from TradePMR leadership, including exclusive content for advisors.

Fusion technology received numerous updates in 2018, advisor requests continue to drive roadmap.

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- TradePMR, a brokerage and custodian services provider, has earned top marks for their Fusion technology platforms in a satisfaction survey of more than 5,500 advisors. The results of the 2019 Software Survey, conducted by industry veterans Joel Bruckenstein and Bob Veres, were released at the recent T3 Advisor Conference in Denton, Texas.

Highlights of the interview with Robb include:

The custodial services provider sponsors team from University of South Florida in annual T3 Conference competition

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- TradePMR, a brokerage and custodian services provider, is supporting a team of four University of South Florida students at this year's T3 Technology Conference for financial advisors happening Jan. 29–Feb. 1, 2019, in Denton, Texas. The competition dubbed "T3 Mash Up" is comprised of four competing teams that have been charged with creating and executing a concept or product that is new to the financial services industry or furthers an existing project or adds a useful feature.

It is believed that the millennial generation, born between 1982 and 1994, often get a bad rap in the financial advice space for being over-confident, mistrusting and obsessed with technology, but a new research study sponsored by the CFA institute and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation puts into question these beliefs and challenges us to think of this demographic in new ways.

When TradePMR, a custodial and brokerage-services provider dedicated to serving registered investment advisors (RIAs), announced their plans earlier this year to celebrate its 20th anniversary by organizing and participating in 20 service projects, all led and staffed by TradePMR employees, it sounded like an ambitious goal.

Are You Ready to Answer These 3 Common Questions from Prospects?

Women in the RIA Space: How to Attract More Female Clients to Your Practice

It is customary this time of year to pause in our pursuit of the “next big thing” in order to better appreciate what we have already. Before you set your business goals and resolutions for the new year, consider stopping for a moment and giving thanks for the people, circumstances and opportunities which contributed to your success in 2018 and are providing the foundation on which you can continue to grow your business in 2019.

Women in the RIA Space: How to Attract and Recruit More Women to Your Practice and Retain Them  (Part 1 of a 2 Part Series on Women in the RIA Space)

The event is part of the Gainesville, Florida-based company's 20-for-20 Initiative to benefit the community

As Social Media Director at TradePMR, Monika Baldwin is able to deliver messages of positivity and accountability across the many communities she is a member of, both professionally and personally. Regardless of the community, Baldwin works to lift up those she encounters. “Empowered women empower other women,” Baldwin said. “One of the best ways to empower others is to lead by example.”

The custodial services provider earns nod for the rollout of Earnwise platform.

The custodial services provider earns nod for the rollout of Earnwise platform.

In April 2018, the SEC attempted to tackle the Fiduciary debate with its proposed Standard of Conduct Proposal. The proposed new rule, 204-5, would require an investment adviser to deliver a relationship summary to each retail investor before or at the time the adviser enters into an investment advisory agreement, as well as, to existing clients one-time within a specified time period after the effective date of the proposed amendments.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. [May 30, 2018] – TradePMR, a custodial and brokerage-services provider dedicated to serving registered investment advisors (RIAs), today announced plans for their year-long “20-for-20 Initiative.” TradePMR will celebrate its 20^th anniversary by organizing and participating in 20 service projects, all led and staffed by TradePMR employees.

The upcoming Synergy Conference being hosted by TradePMR May 16-18, 2018 is right around the corner. Have you registered yet?

Building a strong brand is a constant and never-ending journey – get the insights and information you need to perfect and grow

We’re so excited! TradePMR will gather with a select group of registered investment advisors (RIAs) from across the country to celebrate our 20th anniversary at TradePMR’s annual Synergy conference May 16-18 in San Diego. This year's conference theme "Get There" will steer conversations during a jam-packed, three-day agenda intended to arm growth-minded advisors with the tools and resources they need to streamline their businesses and navigate headwinds.

TradePMR to Gather Growth-Minded Financial Advisors for May 2018 Synergy Conference in San Diego

How to Create and Periodically Refresh Your Brand Essentials as you Build Trust and Win Business as an RIA Today

Talk to any fully independent advisor about the benefits of their business model and one word always seems to surface: “freedom.”

Built by an advisor to reduce conflicts of interest and produce better outcomes for his own practice 20 years ago, this tested-in-the-trenches solution is now the solution of choice for hundreds of other advisors.

Are you thinking about starting your own firm? Before you leap, here are some tips and food for thought:

Gainesville, FL – 2016 – Trailing Stop orders can be an invaluable tool for Financial Advisors providing added flexibility in helping secure profits through automatically adjusting an open stop order as markets move in their favor.

TradePMR Open House

Gainesville, FL – November 19, 2012 – TradePMR today announced the release of single sign-on support for the JVB Financials Bond Platform.

Gainesville, Florida – October 19, 2012 - TradePMR today announced that it has successfully completed a Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagement No. 16 (SSAE 16 or SOC 1) Type I audit for their introducing Broker Dealer services and their top rated advisor management software. SSAE 16 superseded SAS 70 on June 15, 2011. SAS 70 was an internationally recognized auditing standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the new SSAE 16 standard comes with additional requirements for service organizations. A SSAE 16 engagement is performed by an independent auditing firm and examines the controls and processes involved in storing and handling data securely. The successful completion of the voluntary audit illustrates TradePMR’s ongoing commitment to create and maintain the most stringent controls for the protection and security of its customers’ confidential information. More information about TradePMR and their services can be found at www.tradepmr.com.

Gainesville, FL – September 17, 2012 – TradePMR today announced support for Crews & Associates Bond Platform.

Gainesville, FL – August 17, 2012 – TradePMR announced today its sponsorship of the 2013 T3 Conference February 11-13th 2013 at the Hilton Miami Downtown in Miami, Florida. The conference features David Drucker and Joel Bruckenstein, two of the financial planning industry’s most respected thought leaders.

Gainesville, FL – July 9, 2012 – Trade-PMR today announced the launch of complex options order entry capabilities on its advisor workstation. These capabilities enhance Trade-PMR’s options offering by allowing advisors to choose from a variety of industry-standard trading strategies, or create their own custom trading strategies.

Addition of Morningstar Tools and Content a Significant Benefit to Advisors

Gainesville, FL – April 24, 2012 – Today TradePMR announced another significant upgrade to its Advisor Workstation. Using Site Builder, TradePMR has tightly integrated Morningstar’s outstanding tools and content into its already highly regarded platform. The new tools include Morningstar Report, Morningstar Screeners, and the Portfolio Snapshot report. Morningstar QuoteSpeed rounds out this powerful collection of resources designed to give advisors the industry leading tools they need to be more successful.

TradePMR’s Synergy 2011 to be held at Hilton Walt Disney World Resort May 4-6

Gainesville, FL – March 1st, 2011 – TradePMR today announced the 2011 version of their annual advisor conference, Synergy, will be held in Orlando, FL at the Hilton Walt Disney World Resort across adjacent to Downtown Disney.

Gainesville, FL – January 21st, 2011 – TradePMR today announced their participation in the T3 conference to be held at the Grand Hyatt Bonaventure Hotel in Weston Florida, February 16-19th, 2011. The conference features David Drucker and Joel Bruckenstein, two of the financial planning industry’s most respected thought leaders.

Gainesville, FL – December 16, 2010 – TradePMR, Inc, today announced that in January 2011, Frederick A. Van Den Abbeel, Executive Vice-President responsible for marketing the firm’s brokerage and institutional custody services for Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firms and Hybrid Advisors, will be establishing a new national business development office in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Addition of Multiple Models enhances trading functionality for Advisors

Gainesville, FL – July 12th, 2010 –Today TradePMR announced a significant upgrade to their model trading system. In this new release, advisors are now able to assign any number of portfolio models to a single account. This new feature allows advisors to better match the investment objectives of their clients without the need to create custom models on a per account basis. Models are assigned to accounts by percentage and can contain any number of securities.

Addition of eLearning content to eCustody platform eases transition for new Advisors

Gainesville, FL – June 8th, 2010 – TradePMR today announced the release of the eCustody Learning Center, a portal designed to augment the company’s outstanding customer service by giving advisors answers to common questions in a self-paced environment. This is the latest in a series of enhancements to its best-of-breed eCustody Advisor Workstation that improves Registered Investment Advisor’s (RIAs) daily workflow. By incorporating best practices in these videos, advisors can get up to speed quickly on the ever growing feature set of TradePMR’s platform.

Performance Reporting Solution offers Advisors alternative to costly Report Vendor products.

Gainesville, FL – February 19th, 2010 – TradePMR today announced the release of its second-generation enhanced performance reporting solution. Continuing on the success of its prior release, the performance reporting system adds enhanced capability and ease of use. In addition to generating reports on a single account basis, performance can now be calculated, using eCustody CRM data, allowing consolidated reports to be generated across clients and households.

New CRM System provides TradePMR Advisors with an excellent alternative to high-cost standalone systems.

Gainesville, FL – February 18th, 2010 – TradePMR today announced the release of its integrated Client Relationship Management (CRM) module into its eCustody Advisor Workstation. The CRM module, specifically designed with RIAs in mind, allows the management of Clients, Households, and Prospects. Different users within an Advisor’s office can view and share contacts, notes, and tasks.

TradePMR's integration of Advisors Exchange's TotalView gives Registered Investment Advisors the ability to monitor financial data from banks, insurance companies, and other brokerage firms.

Gainesville, FL – February 16th, 2010 – TradePMR today announced the release of its integration of Advisor Exchange's TotalView into its proprietary eCustody Advisor Workstation. As an industry leader in the brokerage and custodial services to independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), TradePMR works with more than 550 financial advisors nationwide. The integration between TotalView and eCustody will provide those advisors with on-demand access to a complete view of their clients' entire financial portfolio, including assets held at competing brokerage firms. Advisors also will be able to move client data seamlessly into a variety of business applications.

New online account opening system promises to streamline advisor workflow and reduce paper.

Gainesville, FL – February 16th, 2010 – TradePMR today announced the release of its paperless account opening system. This is the latest in a series of enhancements to its best-of-breed eCustody Advisor Workstation that improves Register Investment Advisor’s (RIAs) daily workflow. The system is designed to allow RIAs to open TradePMR accounts without the need for paper documents. By partnering with a leading identity verification company, eCustody is able to successfully verify the identity of applicants and create a digital signature in many cases. This means an Advisor client can digitally sign their account documents, streamlining the account opening process. In addition, eCustody supports electronic account transfers to allow assets to be moved with as little delay as possible.

Gainesville, FL – November 01, 2008 – TradePMR, Inc. a leader in providing broker services to Investment Advisors, has integrated the Redtail Technologies, Inc. Client Relationship Management (CRM) solution into its new eCustody Advisor Platform. The CRM system is designed to meet the challenging needs of financial advisors by providing online tools for client management, sales automation, client support and marketing automation. “Redtail Technology’s CRM aligns well with our RIA platform strategy by providing our clients with an excellent tool to manage and grow their practices”, said Dennis Suppe, Chief Technology Officer of TradePMR.

Gainesville, FL – August 01, 2008 – TradePMR, Inc., today announced that Frederick A. Van Den Abbeel has joined the firm as Executive Vice President. In his new role, Van Den Abbeel will be responsible for marketing TradePMR’s Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) institutional custodian capabilities.