On May 1, Binah Capital announced that it hired Ryan Marcus as its Chief Business Development and Engagement Officer. As he enters the role, Marcus is working with the three broker-dealers under Binah’s corporate umbrella – Cabot Lodge Securities, Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments (PKS Investments) and World Equity Group – to develop long-term strategies. His primary goals for the broker-dealers are a unified value proposition, sustainable growth and enhanced market presence.
“Ryan is a rare talent and industry builder who understands how trust, transparency and long-term value are created and maintained,” said Binah’s CEO, Craig Gould. “His deep relationships and intuitive grasp of the advisor landscape will strengthen our ability to deliver unparalleled support to our partners.”
Prior to Binah, Marcus was Managing Director, Engagement, at MarketCounsel Consulting, a firm where he served in various roles from 2010 to 2013 and again from 2019 to 2025. In addition, he worked as Managing Director at Aurora Private Wealth, Executive Director, New Partnership Development at United Capital Financial Partners and Head of RIA Custody at RBC Correspondent Services and RBC Advisor Services.
“MarketCounsel has been so much more than a job to me—it’s been a huge part of my life for over a decade. My colleagues have become part of my family, and being part of such a powerful brand has been both personally and professionally rewarding,” Marcus said in a news release. “Being Brian Hamburger’s right hand and personal friend through so many chapters has been one of the most meaningful and fulfilling experiences.”
We caught up with Marcus to learn more about his new role and Binah’s plans.
Broker-Dealer Strategy
As he moves forward in his work with the three broker-dealers, Marcus says that what’s best for advisors is not necessarily homogenization. “You don’t want to force a square peg in a round hole,” he says. “The unique elements of an organization attract advisors.” At the same time, he says that it only makes sense to equip subsidiaries with enterprise level access and better technology.
“You don’t want to force a square peg in a round hole.”
– Ryan Marcus
Marcus says in these early days of his new position he will be working extensively with advisors to gain a deep understanding of their needs, including back office, technology, productivity and how Binah can serve them better. Binah will “keep things the same but make them different by making them better.”
He plans to set top priorities for each of the subsidiaries after consultation on how Binah and its broker-dealers can provide the greatest assistance to advisors, including enhanced processes, client experiences and deliverables for advisors. “We have three very different brands and value propositions and have to assist them on business development, sales and relationship management.”
He also expressed that being typecast according to one particular strength – such as an “RIA friendly broker-dealer” – can prevent a firm from being known for other competencies. As Marcus works with Binah’s subsidiaries, he aims to increase awareness of their full range of capabilities.
M&A And Organic Growth Plans
Regarding future acquisitions by Binah, Marcus says, “The market is ripe for growth and we plan to be front and center. We’re definitely looking to grow both organically and inorganically.” He says that in his new role he will explore how to generate growth, whether through M&A, revenue growth, improved services or business development.
Binah’s M&A plans are “not exclusive to any segment in financial services. It just happens that we have three broker-dealers, but we will look to pivot on any opportunity that may exist.”
“We will look to pivot on any opportunity that may exist.”
– Ryan Marcus
Gratitude And Preparation
Marcus expressed gratitude to MarketCounsel and Brian Hamburger, as well as for other previous roles, in preparing him for his current tasks at Binah through working with CEOs and other top executives over the years, forging relationships and gaining knowledge about firms, processes and organizational elements. “I have the benefit of having worked with a firm with one of the most respected business minds in the industry,” he said of Hamburger.
Marcus says that “being at the center of everything” during his time at MarketCounsel provided him with the expertise for his current role.
Julius Buchanan, Editor in Chief at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at julius.buchanan@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
