In the News — Fusion Financial Partners Press, Awards & Media
In the News
Press, Awards & Recognition.
Media coverage, industry recognition, and press releases from Fusion Financial Partners.
Awards & Recognition
WSR Names Fusion Financial Partners a Top 5 Wealth Management Professional Services Firm
Fusion Financial Partners acts as the chief architect and outsourced chief operating officer for advisors on their journey to launch their own RIA. WSR honored Fusion alongside CEG Worldwide, GreenLine Consultants, The Hamburger Law Firm, and Wipfli.
"The key for advisors is to find an expert guide to lead through the critical design decisions of launching a custom-made RIA firm. Just as important, having a safe venue to learn the truths about independence and the nuisances of the vendor landscape is vital education."
"With the right partners in place, typical worries such as compliance, technology, sources of revenues, investment research, marketing and employee benefits become exciting opportunities and distinguishing strengths of the new RIA firm."Read the Full Article on WSR →
Mike Papedis, CEO & Co-Founder · Kimberly Papedis, President & Co-Founder
News & Analysis
August 27, 2026
Fusion Financial Partners
By Mike Papedis, CEO & Co-Founder
Vanguard's Altruist Acquisition Could Reshape RIA Custody
Fusion Financial Partners CEO Mike Papedis explains why Vanguard's announced acquisition of Altruist could signal a shift from a custodian-first model toward an operating-system-first era for independent RIAs.
Read Mike's Analysis →Contributed Articles & Thought Leadership
August 24, 2026
Digital Wealth News
By Mike Papedis, CEO & Co-Founder, Fusion Financial Partners
The Referral-Dependent Advisor
Why Technology Alone Won't Solve Wealth Management's Growth Problem. A bylined article by Mike Papedis published in Digital Wealth News.
"Technology alone won't solve wealth management's growth problem."Read Article at Digital Wealth News →
Media Mentions
September 3, 2026
InvestmentNews
By Andrew Cohen
Schwab moves on Altruist advisors after Vanguard's $4.6B acquisition
InvestmentNews examines Schwab's rapid outreach to Altruist advisors following Vanguard's $4.6 billion acquisition of the RIA custodian. Mike Papedis contributes perspective on why the combination of asset management, custody, and advisor technology in a single entity is strategically significant — and why independent RIAs should think carefully about the economics and potential conflicts that emerge when multiple parts of the advisor ecosystem converge.
Read Full Article on InvestmentNews →September 3, 2026
InvestmentNews
By Gregg Greenberg
Succession planning gaps leave solo RIAs exposed to crisis
InvestmentNews examines the succession planning blind spot facing solo and small-team RIA founders who have no internal buyer, no next-generation partner, and no timeline for what happens when they exit. Mike Papedis contributes perspective on key-person dependency, operational continuity, and the practical steps founders need to take to build a business that can function — and retain its value — beyond its founder.
Read Full Article on InvestmentNews →March 21, 2024
Wealth Solutions Report
By Larry Roth, CEO, Wealth Solutions Report
M&A Optimism Amid Lofty RIA Valuations, And Rising Costs For Small IBDs
WSR spoke with experts from NewEdge Capital Group, Prospera Financial Services, Berkshire Global Advisors, and Fusion Financial Partners on what's driving M&A in wealth management — and where the market is headed. Mike Papedis argues that secular trends remain firmly favorable, pointing to the early innings of succession plan implementations and a highly fragmented RIA marketplace ripe for continued deal-making.
"Consider we are in the early innings of advisors' succession plan implementations and a recognition that bigger is better for achieving scale and growth objectives, all of which flows to M&A transactions."Read Full Article on Wealth Solutions Report →
2026
AdvisorHub
Recapitalization in Today's Wealth Management Industry
AdvisorHub examines the growing role of recapitalization strategies in wealth management — featuring perspective from Fusion Financial Partners on how independent RIA firms are positioning themselves for long-term enterprise value and succession planning.
Read Full Article on AdvisorHub →2026
AdvisorHub
Crypto's Renewed Relevance for Wealth Management: Is Your Firm Prepared?
AdvisorHub explores how independent RIA firms are navigating the resurgence of digital assets and what advisors need to have in place operationally and from a compliance standpoint before adding crypto capabilities to their platform.
Read Full Article on AdvisorHub →October 23, 2025
InvestmentNews
By Gregg Greenberg
Government Shutdown Has Breakaway Advisors Cooling Their Heels
The SEC suspended reviewing and approving initial RIA registrations during the shutdown. Mike Papedis says the shutdown effectively puts a planned transition in a state of "suspended animation" — but stressed: "This shutdown is a hurdle, not a wall."
"I cannot recall a time, such as this, when branch managers across the country are enjoying peaceful Friday afternoons, as there is no concern about a team leaving to open a new registered investment advisor firm."Read Full Article on InvestmentNews →
October 10, 2025
InvestmentNews
By Gregg Greenberg
Advisors Say Merrill Legal Loss in OpenArc Case Shifts RIA Balance of Power
A federal court judge denied Merrill Lynch's TRO request against breakaway RIA team OpenArc. Mike Papedis called it "a watershed moment for our industry" — proving even the largest, most complex teams can transition cleanly.
"This was a fear-based industry for decades and fear just lost in court. OpenArc didn't just break away — they broke the narrative. Independence has officially gone mainstream."Read Full Article on InvestmentNews →
August 19, 2026
Advisor Perspectives
By Mike Papedis, CEO & Co-Founder, Fusion Financial Partners
How Much Does It Really Cost to Launch an RIA?
Mike Papedis examines why the true cost of launching an RIA extends beyond formation expenses — and how decisions around technology, custody, transition execution and operating infrastructure can affect scalability, client retention and long-term enterprise value.
Read Full Article on Advisor Perspectives →Press Releases
August 24, 2026
Digital Wealth News
By Mike Papedis, CEO & Co-Founder, Fusion Financial Partners
The Referral-Dependent Advisor
Why Technology Alone Won't Solve Wealth Management's Growth Problem. A bylined article by Mike Papedis published in Digital Wealth News.
"Technology alone won't solve wealth management's growth problem."Read Article at Digital Wealth News →
Podcasts
Coming Soon
Mike Papedis on Podcasts & Audio Interviews
Podcast appearances and audio interviews featuring Mike Papedis on RIA independence, advisor transitions, and the future of wealth management will be listed here as they are published.
Invite Mike to Your Podcast →Media & Industry Commentary
Industry Experience That Predates the Headlines
Mike and Kimberly Papedis have spent their careers inside the evolution of independent wealth management.
Mike entered financial services in 1994, building experience across asset management, RIA custody, advisor recruiting, M&A and independent business models. Kimberly has worked in financial services since 1998, became a CFP® professional in 2002, owned an independent advisory business, and went on to lead advisor recruiting, platform strategy and RIA growth initiatives nationally.
Long before founding Fusion Financial Partners, both were being asked to help build—and publicly explain—the models reshaping wealth management. National financial and industry publications have turned to them for perspective on advisor movement, recruiting, breakaways, RIA business models, M&A, succession, technology and enterprise value.
The coverage below is a selected record of that history.
Earlier media coverage may refer to Kimberly Papedis as Kimberly Hollenbeck.
Kimberly Papedis, CFP®
Financial services since 1998 · CFP® professional since 2002
Selected national earned-media coverage
April 1, 2007
ThinkAdvisor
Advisor Recruiting & Independence
ThinkAdvisor coverage of Raymond James Financial Services' expansion of its national recruiting organization. Kimberly Hollenbeck is identified as one of four new regional business development consultants hired under incoming SVP Bill Van Law, based in Denver and focused on recruiting experienced advisors into the independent channel. The article documents her early role in helping advisors evaluate the transition to independence — the same work that would define her career in the years that followed.
2010
RIABiz
Advisor Independence & Recruiting
Early industry coverage documenting Kimberly's role in the independent-advisor recruiting market and her move into Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network's expanding recruiting organization.
2014
InvestmentNews
Advisor Recruiting & Independence
InvestmentNews covered HighTower's recruitment of Kimberly Hollenbeck from Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, documenting her established reputation in advisor recruiting and the independent wealth-management market.
June 22, 2017
Financial Times
Advisor Independence & Business Models
Financial Times feature on HighTower's model for attracting wirehouse advisors to independence. Kimberly Papedis, then HighTower's head of national sales and platform strategy, is quoted extensively on the firm's growth strategy, its independent business owner model and the appeal of a fiduciary, fee-based environment for advisors leaving major wirehouses.
Mike Papedis
Financial services since 1994
Selected national earned-media coverage
December 6, 2010
Wealth Management
Advisor Recruiting & Breakaways
Early editorial coverage documenting Mike Papedis's role leading HighTower's advisor recruiting efforts. The article identifies him as HighTower's managing director in charge of recruiting and quotes him directly on the firm's pipeline of over 300 advisory and brokerage teams considering independence, as well as HighTower's expansion plans across six new markets.
December 20, 2012
The Wall Street Journal
Advisor Independence & Breakaways
Wall Street Journal coverage of the growing momentum behind advisor independence, featuring Mike Papedis, then Executive Vice President of Business Development at HighTower Advisors, on how successful high-profile advisor transitions were influencing other wirehouse teams considering independence.
February 28, 2013
The Wall Street Journal
RIA Custody & Independence
Wall Street Journal coverage examining the role custodians and independent-platform providers played in helping wirehouse advisors evaluate and execute moves toward independent business models, featuring perspective from Mike Papedis.
July 1, 2013
The Wall Street Journal
Advisor Movement & Independence
Wall Street Journal coverage of advisor movement during a strong equity market, featuring Mike Papedis's perspective on the continuing pipeline of advisor teams evaluating independence despite market conditions that made some advisors less inclined to move.
October 9, 2013
InvestmentNews
Independence & Business Models
InvestmentNews coverage of the launch of HighTower Network, an independent affiliation model designed for advisors seeking greater ownership and autonomy. Mike Papedis, identified as executive vice president of business development at HighTower, is quoted explaining the structure and terms of the new platform and HighTower's rationale for expanding beyond its original partnership model.
February 4, 2014
The Wall Street Journal
Complex Breakaways & Transition Strategy
Wall Street Journal coverage examining the increasing complexity of large-team breakaways, featuring Mike Papedis's perspective on how successful transitions by established advisor teams encouraged other wirehouse advisors to consider independence.
August 3, 2016
InvestmentNews
RIA M&A & Enterprise Value
Coverage from the Pershing INSITE conference featuring Mike Papedis's perspective on the growing market for advisory-firm M&A and the increasing sophistication of buyers in the independent wealth-management industry. Identified as managing director of HighTower, he is quoted on the rising volume and complexity of advisory-firm transactions and the expanding range of buyers entering the space.
March 21, 2017
RIABiz
Advisor Breakaways & Independence
RIABiz profile providing a retrospective on Mike Papedis's extensive role in HighTower's advisor breakaway activity and business development. The article documents his departure from HighTower and the founding of Fusion Financial Partners, quoting industry peers on his depth of experience in advisor transitions — a record that directly preceded and informed the work Fusion was built to do.
September 1, 2023
Wealth Management
RIA Independence & Breakaways
Editorial coverage examining the opportunities and obstacles involved in moving from a wirehouse environment to an independent RIA, featuring Mike Papedis as an industry source. Published in conjunction with the ECHELON Partners Deals & Dealmakers Summit.
Speaking Engagements
Selected Speaking Engagements
Kimberly Papedis on Stage
Kimberly Papedis, CFP® brings more than two decades of experience as an advisor, entrepreneur and senior wealth-management executive to conversations about independence, leadership and building enduring advisory businesses. A frequent industry speaker and panelist, Kimberly speaks on advisor independence and entrepreneurship, RIA growth and enterprise value, recruiting and business development, and women in wealth management and leadership.
Upcoming
October 15, 2026 — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
FPA of South Florida — Elevate & Educate
The Landscape of Independence and How This Affects Your Enterprise Value
Kimberly and Mike Papedis will explore the evolving landscape of advisor independence and how decisions about business model, ownership and operating structure can affect the long-term enterprise value of an advisory firm.
2026
Featured Speaker / Panelist
Advyzon Conference: Powered by Disruption — She Means Business
Featured speaker and panelist discussing women in wealth management, leadership, mentorship and advocating for yourself in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
2023
Summit Expert
ECHELON Deals & Dealmakers Summit
Selected as one of ECHELON Partners' industry experts for the 2023 Deals & Dealmakers Summit.
2023
Panelist
Future Proof — Succession
Panelist in an industry discussion on succession planning, next-generation advisors, ownership transition, cultural fit and the human considerations involved in selling or transitioning an advisory business.
2022
Panelist — InterContinental San Diego
ECHELON Deals & Dealmakers Summit — Recruiting and Breakaway Deals: Wealth Creation from Business Model Migration
45-minute industry session with Jodie Papike and Mindy Diamond examining advisor recruiting, breakaway deals, business-model migration and the wealth-creation opportunities associated with moving to different advisory business models.
2022
Panelist
MarketCounsel Summit — Technology Innovations: Capabilities and Feature Expansion
Panelist discussing wealth-management technology innovation, advisor technology capabilities and the expanding role of technology in independent advisory businesses.
2019
Speaker
Thrivent Advisor Network RISE National Conference — Recruiting & Inorganic Growth
Educational session teaching independent advisors how to build an effective recruiting strategy and develop recruiting into a repeatable inorganic growth engine for their firms.
2019
Panelist
MarketCounsel Summit — Most Interesting Transitions of the Year
Panelist examining some of the year's most notable advisor transitions and the strategic considerations involved in moving advisory businesses between models and platforms.
Panelist
HighTower Advisors Annual Advisor Conference — Executive Roundtable, Laguna Beach
Panelist in an executive roundtable for HighTower advisor teams, participating as a senior HighTower executive.
2017
Leadership Panel
HighTower Advisors — Leadership Panel
While serving as Managing Director, Head of National Sales & Platform Strategy, Kimberly participated in a leadership discussion for HighTower advisor teams and support staff addressing leadership, organizational culture and the representation of women in senior leadership.
Selected Speaking Engagements
Mike Papedis on Stage
Upcoming
October 15, 2026 — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
FPA of South Florida — Elevate & Educate
The Landscape of Independence and How This Affects Your Enterprise Value
Kimberly and Mike Papedis will explore the evolving landscape of advisor independence and how decisions about business model, ownership and operating structure can affect the long-term enterprise value of an advisory firm.
2023
Summit Expert
ECHELON Partners Deals & Dealmakers Summit
Selected as one of ECHELON Partners' industry experts for the 2023 Deals & Dealmakers Summit.
2023
Speaker / Panelist — Laguna Niguel, California
ECHELON Partners Deals & Dealmakers Summit — Breaking Away to an RIA: Opportunities and Obstacles
Participated in a discussion examining the opportunities and challenges involved in moving from a wirehouse environment to an independent RIA, including the operational, financial and strategic considerations involved in executing a successful breakaway.
2021
Speaker / Co-Presenter with Liz Nesvold — Encore at Wynn Las Vegas
Forbes | SHOOK Top Advisor Summit — Unlocking Internal M&A and Succession
Mike Papedis and Liz Nesvold co-presented on internal M&A and succession, addressing one of the wealth-management industry's most important business-ownership challenges: transitioning equity and enterprise value across generations of advisor owners.
2019
Moderator
Thrivent Advisor Network Summit / RISE — Advisor Pricing
Moderator of an industry panel examining advisor pricing and the economics of independent advisory businesses, addressing custodial pricing, RIA platform economics, pricing benchmarks across client segments, hybrid versus fee-only models, alternative fee structures and business profitability.
2017
Speaker / Co-Presenter with Brian Hamburger — Phoenix, Arizona
Orion Ascent — The Anatomy of an Advisor Transition
Mike Papedis and Brian Hamburger presented a practice-management session focused on advisor transitions and the legal, operational and business considerations involved in moving from a broker-dealer environment toward independence.
2016
Industry Leader / Forum Participant
Fidelity Investments — Wealth Management M&A Leaders Forum
While at HighTower, Mike participated in Fidelity's Wealth Management M&A Leaders Forum — a group of senior industry leaders representing strategic and financial acquirers and large RIA firms. The Forum provided industry perspective on wealth-management M&A, strategic-acquirer business models, consolidation, growth, succession and enterprise value. Fidelity's 2016 Wealth Management M&A Transaction Report identifies Mike Papedis as HighTower's representative among the Forum's members.
Media Inquiries
For press inquiries, interview requests, or speaking engagements, contact Fusion Financial Partners directly.