RIA Edge RIA Edge Podcast: Culture and Partnership in RIA Growth with Arthur Ambarik
In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Arthur Ambarik, CEO of Perigon Wealth Management, about the firm’s growth from a small Bay Area RIA into a multi-state, $12 billion firm with a partnership-driven model and large ambitions for the future.
Ambarik shares how cultural alignment shapes mergers, why specialization within firms is becoming a critical growth driver and how long-term thinking around talent and capital structure is redefining the future of wealth management firms.
Key takeaways:
- How Ambarik has led Perigon’s journey toward becoming a national RIA, starting with $150 million in assets when he joined the firm, to a $12 billion enterprise today, supporting teams across 16 states
- How intentional growth plans and a partnership-driven model have fueled the success
- How Perigon’s first equity-based acquisition in 2020 became a springboard for the future
- How he sees the role of the niche advisor driving future growth
- How the influx of private equity has impacted firms and the larger industry
- How Perigon sees technology as a tool for better segmenting client accounts profitably
- How he envisions RIAs becoming the go-to career choice for young talent, with firms driving talent generation and mentorship
Resources:
- Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com
- Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts
- Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify
Connect With David Armstrong:
- WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com
- LinkedIn: David Armstrong
- Twitter: David Armstrong
- LinkedIn: Informa
Connect With Arthur Ambarik:
About Our Guest:
Arthur Ambarik, CFP, is Chief Executive Officer of Perigon Wealth Management. Under his leadership, Perigon has grown to over $10.2 billion* in assets under management and expanded its national footprint through strategic acquisitions and organic growth.
Named CEO of the Year in 2024 by WealthManagement.com, Arthur has played a pivotal role in Perigon’s rapid ascent in the industry. He was also recognized on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2024 list for California.
Thanks to his leadership, Perigon has earned national recognition, including:
- Forbes America’s Top RIA Firms
- Newsweek America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms
- USA Today Best Financial Advisory Firms
- Financial Advisor Magazine’s:
- Fastest-Growing RIAs
- Top RIAs
- RIA Discretionary and Non-Discretionary AUM Rankings
- San Francisco Business Times: Bay Area’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Arthur brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, with a career spanning advisory and operational leadership at Ameriprise and LPL. He is also a member of the Financial Advisor IQ Leadership Council.
Arthur holds a B.A. in Economics from Williams College.