In wealth management, careers rarely follow a straight line, and few illustrate that better than Kelly Coffey.
In the latest episode of Work Ethic, Ethic CEO Doug Scott sits down with Coffey—previously CEO of both City National Bank and JPMorgan’s U.S. Private Bank, now co-founder of Verita Strategic Wealth Partners. Over a decades-long career spanning investment banking, private banking, wealth management and entrepreneurship, Coffey has helped shape some of the most influential financial institutions —and is now focused on building a next generation wealth management firm.
Throughout the conversation, Coffey shares lessons from running global institutions, building teams, and what truly defines work ethic in wealth management.
She also offers a clear view of what next generation means in practice: a firm built without legacy systems, with a more intentional technology stack, stronger data infrastructure, and an AI-enabled layer designed to help advisors serve clients more holistically and efficiently.
Key takeaways from the episode include:
Whether you're building a firm, advising complex clients, or developing the next generation of leadership in wealth, Coffey’s perspective offers a thoughtful look at where the industry is headed.
- Ownership as leadership: Why great leaders own it regardless of org charts.
- Trust as the foundation of advisory: Why trust matters more than expertise.
- Holistic wealth advice: The growing demand for strategic partners who can integrate investments, legacy planning, and family dynamics.
- Building a firm from scratch: How technology and AI are helping shape the next generation of wealth firms.