ATLalts

Andres Sandate
ATLalts

ATLalts is a podcast for those interested in learning about alternative investments and alternative asset classes through interviews with investors, asset owners, and industry practitioners. ATLalts explores venture capital, private equity, real estate, credit, private debt, distressed, hedge funds, commodities, FX, currencies, infrastructure, structured products, digital assets, multi-alternatives, secondaries, collectibles, farmland, timberland, and more specialized alternative assets such as life settlements, aircraft leasing, royalties, litigation funding, and marine finance.

  1. OCT 24

    BIS Benefits: Revolutionizing Group Health & Business Insurance through people, core values, and an award-winning workplace

    Drew Holley, Managing Partner of BIS Benefits, emphasizes the critical importance of employee benefits and health insurance in today's competitive business landscape, where retaining top talent is paramount. With a focus on serving clients with excellence, BIS Benefits has evolved into a one-stop shop for group health and business insurance since its inception in 1997. Drew shared how investing in growing and developing people and the organizational focus on mission, vision, and core values at BIS has allowed the firm to grow significantly. Drew shares insights on the growing need for businesses to review and adapt their insurance strategies, start the renewal process early, especially in a time of rising costs and changing market dynamics, and work with a trusted advisor. He highlights the significance of fostering strong relationships between business owners and their insurance advisors, ensuring proactive communication and support during critical moments. Listeners will gain valuable advice on navigating the complexities of employee benefits and the impact of proper coverage on workforce satisfaction and retention. Takeaways: Understanding the true costs of health insurance is essential for business owners today. Drew explains that affordability of healthcare plans directly impacts employee satisfaction and retention. People are everything to a business and by far the most critical asset. One of the most important factors employers can easily overlook is the importance of employee benefits.The insurance industry is evolving, with technology playing a crucial role in operations. More private equity has entered the space than ever before on both the brokerage and client side.BIS Benefits focuses on building relationships and providing exceptional service to their clients. Becoming the trusted advisor transforming each organization's approach, design and implementation of healthcare is the vision of BISBIS seeks to be a place where growth on the professional and personal level can take place and puts a significant emphasis on community, giving back, family, and moreHiring for values and personality fit is more important than industry experience in the insurance field. Links referenced in this episode: bisbenefits.com Companies mentioned in this episode: BIS Benefits State Farm Liberty Mutual Blue Cross Aetna United Travelers Hartford Innovative Outsourcing United Benefit Advisors

    57 min
  2. OCT 11

    Sreeni Prabhu, co-founder, Managing Partner, Co-CEO, and Group Chief Investment Officer, Angel Oak Capital Advisors, LLC (Angel Oak)

    Unlocking financial value through alternative credit is a central theme in this engaging conversation with Sreeni Prabhu, co-founder, Managing Partner, Co-CEO, and Group Chief Investment Officer at Angel Oak Capital. With a keen focus on the structured credit space, Sreeni discusses how Angel Oak, one of the largest securitizers of non-qualified mortgages in the nation, skillfully navigates market dynamics to create strategic long-term value for investors. He highlights the current opportunity in mortgage-backed securities (MBS), as inflation stabilizes and interest rates are expected to decline, presenting a historic chance to enhance fixed-income allocations. Furthermore, Sreeni elaborates on the burgeoning second lien mortgage market, emphasizing the significant equity homeowners possess and the untapped potential for strategic financing solutions. Through this episode, listeners will gain insights into the evolving landscape of fixed income and the innovative approaches that Angel Oak employs to meet the needs of both institutional and individual investors. Sreeni Prabhu, co-founder, Managing Partner, Co-CEO and Group Chief Investment Officer of Angel Oak Capital, shares his insights on alternative credit and the unique opportunities within the non-qualified mortgage sector during his conversation with ATLalts host and creator Andres Sandate. Beginning with his personal journey, Srinivas recounts his transition from a tennis player in India to a prominent figure in finance, highlighting the importance of networking, resilience, and a willingness to pursue an unconventional path. He emphasizes Angel Oak's strategic positioning as a leader in the mortgage-backed securities market, particularly in non-QM loans, and how the firm's comprehensive investment platform creates long-term value for its clients. As the discussion progresses, Sreeni delves into the current economic landscape, noting the potential for fixed-income investments amid declining interest rates and controlled inflation. He points out that mortgage-backed securities are trading at historically attractive spreads, presenting a compelling case for investors. The conversation underscores the significance of education in the financial sector, with Sreeni advocating for transparency and trust-building between Angel Oak and its clients. This commitment to educating advisors and investors is a cornerstone of the firm's strategy. The episode also explores the emerging second lien mortgage market, where homeowners can leverage their home equity for various financial needs. Sreeni highlights the substantial addressable market, estimated at $1.6 trillion, and discusses how Angel Oak is prepared to meet this demand with innovative financial products. As the episode concludes, Sreeni shares his vision for the future of Angel Oak Capital, emphasizing the need for a patient, long-term approach to investing in the ever-evolving financial landscape. Takeaways: Sreeni Prabhu's journey from India to Milledgeville, GA to leading a $20 billion asset management firm is inspiring for anyone pursuing their professional and personal interests, regardless of industry or career. Angel Oak's unique position in the mortgage-backed securities market offers compelling investment opportunities. The firm emphasizes a long-term perspective, focusing on sustainable growth and risk management. Understanding the second lien mortgage market can provide valuable insights for financial advisors. Investing in non-qualified mortgages offers significant potential returns in the current economic climate. Angel Oak's commitment to education and transparency enhances relationships with investors and advisors. Links referenced in this episode: a href="https://angeloakcapital.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 18m
  3. Marissa Kim, Head of Asset Management, Abra Capital Management

    MAY 28

    Marissa Kim, Head of Asset Management, Abra Capital Management

    Marissa Kim is Head of Asset Management at Abra Capital Management (ACM), a SEC-registered investment advisor and subsidiary of Abra, a global platform for digital asset prime services and wealth management. In April 2024, Abra announced the launch of Abra Private (led by Marissa), which provides HNWIs, financial advisors, trusts, and family offices with a comprehensive suite of digital asset & wealth management solutions (all of which are powered by their expertise in DeFi – a key differentiator of the firm: Trade & Invest Clients can buy and sell 100+ digital assets with deep liquidity and low slippage through Abra including both crypto/fiat and crypto/crypto pairs Earn Yield Abra offers a variable yield on BTC, ETH, SOL and stablecoins through separately managed accounts (SMAs). Borrow Clients can borrow against their digital asset collateral to unlock liquidity. Customized Investment Strategies For more sophisticated clients, Abra can create customized delta-neutral portfolio strategies combining DeFi trading, lending and market-making. Abra’s RIA operates a separately managed account model, this is crucial for transparency and security, as clients are not liabilities on Abra’s balance sheet, and they retain title to their assets (i.e. they are never commingled – which has been a historic issue in crypto). Before Abra, Marissa founded Quantum Global Management, an investment firm focused on thematic investment in the building blocks of Web 3 and lending and DeFi strategies in digital assets and cofounded Ark Advisors, an advisory and investment firm focused on the digital asset space. Many HNWIs and accredited investors investing in crypto either hold bitcoin/ether or the spot ETFs, however, Abra Private is trying to educate sophisticated investors on how DeFi is powering a holistic set of asset and wealth management solutions that are better suited to the needs of sophisticated investors. Firm Summary Abra is a global platform for digital asset prime services and wealth management, leveraging trusted DeFi expertise to connect the on-chain and off-chain ecosystems for private clients and institutions. By integrating trading, borrowing, lending, yield services, and asset management into one offering, all underpinned by institutional risk management, Abra provides clients with actionable insights and a competitive edge. Abra’s client base includes a diverse range of private clients, family offices, hedge funds, venture capital, and crypto infrastructure firms.

    49 min
  4. APR 23

    Ron Geffner, Partner, Sadis and Robert Swarthout, Founder, CEO, and Portfolio Manager of Teton Crypto Capital join ATLalts to discuss the Bitcoin ETF phenomenon, crypto regulations, recent enforcement actions in the digital assets industry

    Ron Geffner, Partner, Sadis Ron is a founding member of the firm’s Executive Committee and also oversees the Financial Services group. He regularly structures, organizes and counsels private investment vehicles, investment advisory organizations, broker-dealers, commodity pool operators and other investment fiduciaries. Ron also routinely counsels clients in connection with regulatory investigations and actions. His broad background with federal and state securities laws, and the rules, regulations and customary practices of the SEC, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Commodities Futures Trading Commission and various other regulatory bodies, enables him to provide strategic guidance to a diverse clientele. He provides legal services to hundreds of hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds organized in the United States and offshore. Ron began his legal career with the SEC, where he investigated and prosecuted violations of the federal securities laws with an emphasis on enforcement in connection with violations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940. He also assisted federal and state criminal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office, in their investigations of possible criminal violations of federal and state securities laws. Prior to starting Sadis & Goldberg, Ron was associated with two other New York City-based law firms, where he represented domestic and offshore private investment vehicles, as well as broker-dealers, registered investment advisers and registered investment companies. He began his corporate legal career as in-house counsel in the Investment Management Industry Services group of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he provided legal advice regarding investment advisers, registered investment companies and broker-dealers. Ron is often interviewed as a legal expert in the securities industry. He has appeared on Fox News, CBS Morning Show, CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, Squawk Box, Power Lunch and Closing Bell on CNBC, British Broadcasting Channel and Bloomberg Radio. He is regularly quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, Barron’s, Barron’s Online, Reuters, Dow Jones, Financial Times, New York Newsday, London Daily News, TheStreet.com, Private Equity Week and other national and international publications. https://www.sadis.com/professionals/ron-s-geffner https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgeffner/ Robert Swarthout, Founder, CEO, and Portfolio Manager of Teton Crypto Capital Robert, the Founder, CEO & Portfolio Manager of TCC, is a cryptocurrency veteran. He has been investing in the cryptocurrency space for over five years with a full-time focus for over three years. He is a calculated investor that understands that this new emerging market is a marathon rather than a sprint. By taking the long view he focuses on the tokens that will solve large problems over the long term rather than the flavor of the current news cycle. In the first chapter of Robert’s career, he founded and sold two software businesses. The most recent venture (ShootProof.com) is a SaaS business that enables professional wedding and portrait photographers to serve their clients better. He co-founded ShootProof in 2009 and grew it to 43 employees, 43,000+ paying customers and $10M+ in annual recurring revenue, all with no outside funding. Being a multi-time founder, he is experienced in starting and scaling businesses and teams. He prides himself on building teams that thrive on adjusting to challenges in front of them. As of late 2018, a private equity group took a controlling interest in ShootProof. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertswarthout/

    59 min
  5. MAR 27

    Kimberly Ann Flynn, CFA, Managing Director, Alternative Investments at XA Investments

    XAI is focused on closed-end funds and helps clients build permanent capital vehicles including U.S. Listed CEFs, Interval Funds, CEF/REITs, London Listed Investment Companies, Tender Offer Funds and Auction Funds. XAI Consulting clients leverage XA's experienced team to launch innovative closed-end funds (CEFs) in traditional and alternative asset classes. In this interview, Kimberly and I walk through a typical client's feasibility assessment step-by-step before launching a CEF. Kimberly Ann Flynn is a Managing Director at XA Investments. She is a partner in the firm and is responsible for all product and business development activities. Kim is responsible for the firm's proprietary fund platform and consulting practice. Kim has developed an expertise in closed-end fund product development and is a frequent contributor to media and industry events on topics including interval funds, alternative investments and London-listed investment companies. Kim has earned the CFA designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Chicago. She is also Series 7, 63 and 24 licensed. Previously, Kim was Senior Vice President and Head of Product Development for Nuveen Investments' Global Structured Products Group. In her 11 years at Nuveen, she helped develop over 40 closed-end funds, raising approximately $13 billion in capital. In her leadership role at Nuveen, Kim was responsible for asset-raising activities through the development of new, traditional, and alternative investment funds, including CEFs, ETFs, UITs, and commodity pools. Kim received her MBA degree from Harvard University, where she was a William J. Carey scholar and President of the HBS Volunteers. Before attending Harvard Business School, Kim spent three years working in Morgan Stanley's Investment Banking Division (1999-2002) in their Chicago office. She earned her BBA in Finance and Business Economics, summa cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame in 1999 where she was a valedictorian candidate, Rhodes Scholar finalist and the first recipient of the Paul F. Conway Award, given to a senior in the Department of Finance who embodies Notre Dame's tradition of excellence and who enriches the ideals of the university. Kim was recently selected to serve on the Notre Dame Wall Street leadership committee. She also serves on the board of the Women in ETFs Chicago chapter as Head of the Mentorship Committee and on the advisory board of Youth Guidance's Becoming A Man program. She is an active member of the University Club of Chicago and the Harvard Club of New York City, where she conducts regular business. Kim and her family - husband, Leo; son, Teddy; and daughter, Rose - live in Lincoln Park.

    1h 8m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

ATLalts is a podcast for those interested in learning about alternative investments and alternative asset classes through interviews with investors, asset owners, and industry practitioners. ATLalts explores venture capital, private equity, real estate, credit, private debt, distressed, hedge funds, commodities, FX, currencies, infrastructure, structured products, digital assets, multi-alternatives, secondaries, collectibles, farmland, timberland, and more specialized alternative assets such as life settlements, aircraft leasing, royalties, litigation funding, and marine finance.

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