Observations from the Front Lines
Across Andrew’s Desk (Vol. V)
📌 Across Andrew’s Desk — Observations from the Front Lines (Vol. V)
Abstract:
Another week, another set of signals worth logging.
I’ve been watching three big themes come across my desk lately:
More OCIO platforms popping up in the RIA space — and what that could mean for true independence.
A string of weird but telling macro headlines — from Fed noise to co-buying trends to the AI jobs pivot.
A reminder of why I built RIA Access in the first place.
Plus, for my fellow sports junkies — we’ve got Wimbledon wrapped up and The Open Championship teeing up this week. Always lessons there if you’re paying attention.
Andrew Morris — Personal Shift
Calls this week keep circling back to the same topic:
“If everyone has the same stack, where’s the next layer of edge?”
It’s not just tech or branding. It’s infrastructure. And one piece that’s really catching my eye lately is how fast OCIO platforms are multiplying in the RIA world.
Andrew’s Observations from — The Advisory World
Topic 1: The OCIO Boom
If you’ve been paying attention, you’re seeing it too — more OCIO platforms are quietly cropping up across the independent RIA space.
On paper, that’s great: deeper risk oversight, better manager access, a more sophisticated governance model. But here’s what I’m tracking:
How will this shift impact truly independent advisors in the next few years?
Will firms use OCIO relationships to actually embed institutional infrastructure — or just outsource decisions without understanding them?
Who controls the client conversation when a third-party OCIO is driving the investment stack?
I’m honestly for it, but it’s worth watching how the world reacts.
Execution beats explanation — and the real winners will be the firms that make an OCIO plug-in part of their family office layer, not the whole story, just a true differentiator.
Andrew’s Observations from — The Traditional Market
Topic 2: The Macro Noise Cycle
The latest swirl of headlines feels like a glimpse of a market that wants a clear direction — and isn’t getting it. Here’s what I pulled this week:
Labor & Housing: 20% of job seekers have been hunting for nearly a year. Gen Z and Millennials are co-buying homes with friends and parents just to get in the game.
Corporate Moves: JPMorgan “requiring” six months’ notice before workers quit? Salesforce redeploying internally? Glassdoor and Indeed cutting jobs as AI reshapes recruiting?
Fed & Policy: Trump’s rumblings about Powell, Bessent lining up as the next chess piece — plus PPI coming in flat against expectations.
As of Noon Est 7/16 “Trump no plans on firing Powell.”
Individually, none of this is a bombshell. But taken together? It’s a clear reminder that macro noise and policy churn are alive and well. The tape isn’t about certainty — it’s about seeing who’s positioned for what’s next.
Why I Built RIA Access
A lot of people reading this already know the story. But if you’re new here:
I built RIA Access because I saw the same pattern on repeat — talented, entrepreneurial advisors stuck with the same limited stack while bigger firms swallowed complexity under M&A.
Our mission is simple:
✅ Keep advisors independent and in control.
✅ Provide education, not just talking points.
✅ Educate them on real institutional relationships and resources they can vet without giving up their firm.
No roll-ups. No buyouts. Just real access for people who want to compete at the next level — on their terms.
One Interesting Thing
Wimbledon wrapped up this weekend, and The Open Championship tees off right after.
I love this stretch because it’s a reminder: big trophies don’t always go to the biggest hitters — they go to the ones who know how to play the conditions.
Will it be a European hoisting the Claret Jug this year — or will an American keep it on this side of the pond? Either way, the takeaway’s the same: read the course, play your edges, and stay in the game.
Why I’m Writing This Series
No predictions here. Just my own field notes — what crosses my desk, what sparks better questions, and what helps me stay curious.
If it helps you do the same, I’m doing my job.
Closing Thought
If you’re an advisor or independent pro wondering how to evolve your stack — or you just want to see what other top firms are quietly doing to stay ahead — my door’s always open.
That’s what RIA Access is here for — not to replace you, but to expand what’s possible.
Stay Connected
📩 Email: andrew@riaaccess.com
📞 Direct: (904) 392-3662
📅 Explore Family Office Positioning: Andrew Morris Calendar
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Andrew Morris
Founder, RIA Access
Education-first support for entrepreneurial financial professionals.
Disclaimer:
Andrew’s Observations is a personal publication for general informational and educational purposes only. Everything shared reflects my own real-time opinions and experiences — not those of any firm or affiliate.
Nothing here should be interpreted as investment advice, legal advice, tax advice, or a recommendation to pursue any strategy or security. I am not acting as your advisor or fiduciary, and no client relationship is created through this content.
Always do your own research and consult qualified financial, legal, and tax professionals before making decisions. No guarantees or warranties are expressed or implied — markets change, laws change, your situation is unique.
No warranties. No promises. Just my perspective.