Whiskey&WealthTech

Alex Serman

Come join us with your favorite glass of whiskey! Hosted by First Rate's Managing Director of Wealth, Alex Serman, CIPM, we will explore and discuss all things WealthTech as we taste and experience whiskeys from all over the world.

  1. 11/20/2025

    From Risk to Readiness: Rethinking Shareholding Disclosure with Eric Lapham

    In our milestone Episode 30 of Whiskey & Wealthtech, Alex sits down with Eric Lapham from Artius Global to unpack one of the most overlooked—but costly—areas in wealth and asset management: shareholding disclosure compliance. They break down why firms are struggling with manual processes, how one missed filing can trigger fines in the hundreds of thousands, and why automation is quickly becoming the industry standard. Kicking things off with a pour of a classic bourbon, Maker’s Mark, Eric shares how Artius Global’s SaaS-based, practitioner-built platform simplifies a historically labor-intensive process—reducing 10–40 hours of manual work into a one-to-two-hour workflow. The conversation also explores industry consolidation, future trends, and the growing need for clean data and automation across compliance functions.

    20 min

  2. 10/23/2025

    The Future of Goals-Based Investing: Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Portfolio Construction with Nebo Wealth

    n this special live episode recorded at First Rate’s 2025 WealthTech Connect conference in Dallas, host Alex Serman sits down with Martin Tarlie and Matt Kadnar, co-founders of Nebo Wealth, for a fascinating conversation about the evolution of goals-based investing. They unpack how Nebo bridges the long-standing gap between financial planning and portfolio construction—helping advisors deliver personalization at scale while driving client confidence and better life outcomes. The trio dives into: How Nebo’s goals-based optimization engine turns asset allocation into an output, not a starting point.Why personalization at the asset allocation level is the next frontier for wealth management.How tools like Nebo empower advisors to balance autonomy, compliance, and efficiency.The rise of alternative investments—and why advisors need frameworks, not just products.The human side of investing: building understanding to reduce emotion and improve decision-making.Of course, it wouldn’t be Whiskey & WealthTech without a pour—this time, the First Rate Private Label Single Malt from Andalusia Whiskey Co., shared in front of a live audience.

    24 min

  3. 07/31/2025

    Data, Diversification, and the Rise of Private Markets with Carol Penhale

    In this Toronto edition of Whiskey & WealthTech, Alex Serman sits down with Carol Penhale, Head of Canada at RIMES Technologies, for a spirited discussion on private markets, data granularity, and wealth trends shaping the future. Over a glass of Glen Breton—the first North American single malt—they explore how institutions are navigating the complexities of private asset data, the growing role of target date funds, and Canada’s outsized position in the alternatives space. Carol also shares her insights on the generational wealth transfer, the shift from paper to digital, and the most rewarding aspects of her career in financial technology and data.

    20 min

  4. 04/24/2025

    Reimagining the ‘Old Fashioned’ Way: AI’s Disruption in Wealth Management with Greg Woolf

    In this episode of Whiskey & WealthTech, Alex Serman sits down with Greg Woolf, founder and CEO of AI Think Tank, to sip Knob Creek whiskey and dive into the evolving role of AI in wealth management. From whiskey tasting notes to wealthtech trends, Greg shares his take on generative and agentic AI, the changing expectations of wealth managers, and how firms can stay competitive. Whether you're into bourbon or big data, this episode has something for every modern advisor.

    28 min

  5. 02/20/2025

    The Global Triangle: Connecting Capital Across Africa, Europe, and the U.S. with Mouctar Bah

    In this episode of Whiskey & WealthTech, host Alex Serman sits down with Mouctar Bah, Co-Founder and President of the Brussels Africa Hub (BAH), to explore how BAH is creating a frictionless flow of capital between Africa, Europe, and the U.S.. Mouctar shares how BAH bridges investors, policymakers, and financial institutions to unlock investment opportunities across the African continent—beyond traditional aid models. They discuss the four pillars of BAH’s mission: ✅ Capacity building for African financial professionals✅ Business networking to connect global investors✅ Policy engagement for economic collaboration✅ Research to support data-driven decision-makingMouctar highlights key investment trends, including infrastructure, digital expansion, and near-shoring opportunities. As the world’s economies are becoming deeply interconnected, BAH’s mission is to facilitate seamless investment flows and unlock economic growth and wealth creation for all. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on how technology, wealth management, and capital markets can drive sustainable investment in Africa.

    32 min

  6. 12/19/2024

    Transforming WealthTech with Agentic AI and Raising a Glass to Two Years of Whiskey & WealthTech

    In this milestone episode of Whiskey and WealthTech, host Alex Serman welcomes back Nayan Madhamshettiwar, Managing Director of Professional Services at First Rate. Together, they celebrate two years of the podcast with a toast to Amrut Fusion, the world's best whiskey of 2024. The conversation dives deep into the advancements in AI within wealth management, exploring the transformative potential of Agentic AI. Nayan explains how this next-generation technology moves beyond large language models to deliver goal-oriented, compliant, and efficient solutions, transforming client-advisor interactions and driving innovation across the industry. Don’t miss insights on AI trends and the future of wealth management.

    11 min

  7. 10/30/2024

    Bridging Technology and Trust: Bart Vanhaeren’s Approach to Empowering Investors

    Our latest episode of Whiskey and WealthTech, Alex Serman, Managing Director of Wealth and Institutional at First Rate, sits down with Bart Vanhaeren, CEO and co-founder of InvestSuite. Together, they explore the rapidly evolving WealthTech landscape and how InvestSuite is partnering with First Rate to pioneer solutions that blend advanced technology with a deep understanding of human behavior. Bart shares insights into how InvestSuite’s tools are empowering financial institutions to enhance the client experience and meet the unique demands of modern investors. From robo-advisory to hybrid investment platforms, this episode dives into the technology transforming wealth management and the importance of keeping the human touch at the heart of innovation.

    15 min

  8. 10/02/2024

    Special Edition: The Spaulding Group's London Performance and Risk Summit Panel Discussion

    The wait is over! 🎉 We are thrilled to release a Special Edition of our Whiskey & WealthTech Podcast, featuring an exclusive panel discussion from the London Performance and Risk Summit! Moderated by Steve O’Brien, and including expert panelists Alex Serman, Alexander Shalson, and Paul Farrar. In this insightful episode, the panel delves into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in wealth management. Alex Serman offers a behind-the-scenes look at how First Rate is using AI to revolutionize performance reporting, making it more efficient, accurate, and impactful. Learn how AI is changing the way wealth managers approach data, reporting, and client outcomes. If you’re interested in the future of wealth management, performance measurement, and how AI is disrupting traditional models, this episode is for you. Gain valuable insights from some of the most forward-thinking minds in the industry as they explore the exciting developments that are shaping the future.  Tune in now for this engaging discussion packed with actionable takeaways!

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Come join us with your favorite glass of whiskey! Hosted by First Rate's Managing Director of Wealth, Alex Serman, CIPM, we will explore and discuss all things WealthTech as we taste and experience whiskeys from all over the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Serman
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Whiskey&WealthTech
  • Show Website
    Whiskey&WealthTech