This edition of the Deals & Recruiting Roundup covers Constellation Wealth investing in BIP Wealth, Beacon Pointe acquiring The Financial Advisors and naming Matthew Cooper as its next CEO, Docupace buying InvestEdge and appointing a new CEO, EP Wealth acquiring Thompson Wealth, Integrated Partners launching a private wealth brand for business owners, Bard Financial joining Osaic, CAPTRUST adding Suncoast Prosperity, Seven Bridges launching and affiliating with NewEdge, FPA partnering with Snappy Kraken on PlannerSearch, Altruist selected by Gerber Kawasaki as custodial partner and Sagient naming Pete Alliegro as Chief Investment Officer.
EDITOR IN CHIEF’S TAKE:
We often mention succession planning in the context of advisor succession, but this week another type of succession is in the spotlight as David Knoch and Shannon Eusey step aside as CEOs of their respective firms. These are the latest CEOs to pass the helm when they are at the top of their game. It may look like they left too early, but the momentum provided by a string of successes makes the perfect environment for new leadership to take the helm.
– Julius Buchanan, Editor in Chief, Wealth Solutions Report
Mergers & Acquisitions
BIP Wealth Receives Strategic Investment From Constellation Wealth
Atlanta-based BIP Wealth receives an investment from Constellation Wealth Capital (CWC), an alternative asset management platform. CWC’s investment funds the acceleration of BIP’s acquisition strategy, which it announced in 2024, as well as its organic growth strategy, the firm said. BIP was represented by Jeff Singh of Chase Corporate Advisory.
Founded in 2007, BIP is a fee-only RIA with over $5.5 billion in assets under management (AUM). The firm said it organically added $725 million in AUM in 2025. It also formed partnerships with The Money Advisor Group in 2024 and Prehmus Financial in 2025, adding a total of more than $1.2 billion of AUM.
“We want to offer our client-first, servant leadership model to other firms looking for a solution. Whether a founder is looking for help with their succession plan or wanting to fuel their next stage of growth, we want to partner with like-minded people,” said Bill Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of BIP Wealth. “This partnership with CWC will open new doors of growth in our business that will benefit our clients and our entire team.”
Beacon Pointe Acquires The Financial Advisors
Newport Beach, California-based Beacon Pointe Advisors acquires The Financial Advisors of Andover and Newburyport, Massachusetts. The Financial Advisors, founded in 1992, has $1.2 billion in AUM and a team of 11 professionals. Turkey Hill Management was the advisor to The Financial Advisors, and Seward & Kissel served as their legal counsel.
Beacon Pointe had approximately $59.8 billion in AUM and $2.5 billion in assets under advisement (AUA), as of the close of the deal on Jan. 15. The firm has more than 750 employees and more than 90 offices in the U.S.
“The Financial Advisors team brings a depth of experience and disciplined planning strategy that truly complements our broader organization,” said Shannon Eusey, Co-Founder and Chair of Beacon Pointe’s Board of Directors. “What stood out was the deliberate way they've built their practice, grounded in an unwavering commitment to clients and supported by a sophisticated, forward-thinking service offering. We look forward to supporting their continued growth and building on that strong foundation together.”
Docupace Acquires Compliance Software Provider InvestEdge And Appoints New CEO
Holmdel, New Jersey-based Docupace acquires InvestEdge, a provider of compliance software for advisors, broker-dealers and bank trust departments. Founded in 2000, InvestEdge’s products include the ComplianceEdge platform. It serves more than 100 financial institutions, according to a news release. Docupace is majority-owned by Genstar Capital, a private equity firm with approximately $50 billion in AUM.
Also, Docupace appoints Brian Filanowski as CEO. He succeeds outgoing CEO David Knoch. Filanowski brings over 30 years of industry experience and most recently was General Manager of Finance Risk & Capital Markets at Dun & Bradstreet. Before that, he was President of Fitch Solutions for the Fitch Group’s data and analytics business.
“As we look ahead, our plan is to build upon our strong market position and significantly accelerate growth by developing new innovative products that leverage AI, expanding our customer base, and executing on additional strategic acquisitions that bring value to our clients,” said Filanowski.
EP Wealth Advisors Acquires $300 Million Thompson Wealth
Torrance, California-based EP Wealth Advisors acquires Thompson Wealth Management. The firm, founded in 2010, has over $300 million in AUM. Its main focus is providing retirement planning services to federal employees.
Founder and CEO Neal Thompson brings a team of six to EP Wealth’s network in Arizona, where they will work with Regional Directors M.J. Nodilo and Adrian Larson. The deal is EP Wealth’s third partnership this year, the firm said.
“When I started Thompson Wealth Management, I wanted to build the kind of firm I’d trust with my own family’s dreams, and that standard drives everything we do,” said Thompson. “Our team walks into the office every day with a clear purpose: to help our clients build a future they love. Joining EP Wealth is our path to deliver on that commitment at an even higher level.”
Strategic Initiatives
Integrated Partners Launches Private Wealth Brand With A Business-Owner Focus
Integrated Partners announces the launch of Integrated Private Wealth, a new brand designed to guide business owners and their families through liquidity events, with a focus on business sales, recapitalizations and post-liquidity life planning. Integrated Private Wealth is led by Homer Smith, Executive Director and Private Wealth Advisor, and combines the firm’s business-owner planning, tax strategy, insurance and family office capabilities on one platform, according to the firm.
Integrated Private Wealth will provide tax, business strategy and personal planning before the liquidity event, according to the firm. Advisors affiliated with Integrated Partners will be able to work with or refer clients to the platform. Integrated Partners said it served more than $25 billion in AUA as of Dec. 31.
“Too often, business owners spend decades building something meaningful, only to experience fragmentation and uncertainty at the moment it matters most,” said Smith. “This platform changes that experience. We coordinate decisions early, anticipate risks before they become problems, and guide our clients through transitions with clarity, confidence, and control.”
Advisor Transactions
$1.2 Billion Bard Financial Joins Osaic’s Network
Branford, Connecticut-based Bard Financial Services joins Osaic’s independent advisor W-2 channel, Empowered Independence. Bard Financial will continue using Osaic’s brokerage and advisory platform and operate under its corporate RIA.
Bard Financial’s partnership with Osaic extends back to 1986. The firm is led by Financial Advisor Kenneth Spitzbard and has approximately $1.2 billion in AUM. The advisory team includes Financial Advisor Jeffrey Welsh, Managing Director Julie Cross Hoko, Wealth Advisor Mickey Goldberg and Senior Operations Professional Jackie Weston.
“Ken and his team represent the very best of long-term partnership and advisor excellence,” said Cindy Hamel, Head of Osaic Advisors channel. “Their decision to deepen their relationship with Osaic after more than 40 years speaks volumes about the strength of our platform and our Empowered Independence channel.”
CAPTRUST Adds $830 Million Suncoast Prosperity
Raleigh, North Carolina-based CAPTRUST Financial Advisors adds Tampa-based Suncoast Prosperity Advisors to its network. The firm, led by President Jeff Strouse, has approximately $830 million in client assets. Its team of eight financial professionals includes Senior Advisors Beth Neal and Terri Ritchie.
The move gives CAPTRUST a second Tampa location, along with new offices in Sanibel, Florida, and Highlands, North Carolina. Suncoast Prosperity was previously affiliated with Suncoast Equity Management. Going forward, that firm will operate independently as a boutique investment management firm.
“Suncoast Prosperity Advisors was built with the belief that great advice should evolve as clients' lives grow more complex,” said Strouse. “By joining CAPTRUST, we’re gaining expanded capabilities and resources that enhance what we can deliver for our clients, while staying true to the personal relationships and client-focused approach that define our practice.”
$1 Billion Seven Bridges Launches And Joins NewEdge From Ameriprise
White Plains, New York-based Seven Bridges Wealth Advisors launches as an independent firm owned and led by advisors and affiliates with NewEdge Advisors. The team had $1 billion in client assets at Ameriprise. In this move, the firm said it aims to enhance its services, technology and solutions flexibility.
Seven Bridges has 14 professionals in offices in New York’s Hudson Valley and Lower Westchester. The firm provides services including investment and retirement planning, insurance, employee benefits, income tax management, budgeting, estate planning and charitable giving.
“We are incredibly proud to take this step, as it represents an investment not only in the future of our firm but in our commitment to providing our clients with a modern, world-class wealth management and financial planning offering,” said Max DiSesa, Managing Partner at Seven Bridges.
Strategic Partnerships
FPA Partners With Snappy Kraken To Modernize PlannerSearch
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) announces a partnership with Snappy Kraken to modernize its FPA PlannerSearch directory. The 20-year-old online tool will be redesigned using Snappy Kraken’s technology as an interactive lead generation platform. It will promote fiduciary, holistic financial planning while leveraging consumer behavioral and profile data to match individuals with suitable certified financial planners (CFPs).
Snappy Kraken’s marketing technology will drive lead capture, scoring, routing and “automated nurturing” on the new data-driven platform, and the firm will also add financial planner content to FPA member websites to support increased visibility for AI searches. CFPs who are current PlannerSearch members will convert to the new platform at launch. As part of the multi-year partnership, Snappy Kraken will participate in FPA’s events and programs, and it will provide favorable pricing and services to FPA members.
“We are refining FPA PlannerSearch to increase visibility for planners and highlight what makes financial planning unique,” said Dennis Moore, CEO of FPA. “By partnering with Snappy Kraken, we're giving planners clarity, resources, and measurable marketing tools. This updated platform will reflect FPA's commitment to supporting members and making financial planning more accessible.”
Altruist Partners With $4.09 Billion Gerber Kawasaki
Los Angeles-based Altruist announces it has been selected as a custodial partner to Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management, an RIA based in Santa Monica, California. Gerber Kawasaki had more than $4.09 billion in AUM as of Dec. 31.
Altruist was selected for its “enterprise-ready infrastructure, self-clearing custodial model, fractional share trading capabilities, and unified platform for account opening, trading, portfolio management, billing, and reporting,” the firm said. Gerber Kawasaki said Altruist’s technology will help it streamline operations and support its future growth. The firm will adopt Altruist’s AI platform, Hazel, to provide clients with advanced tax planning and other services.
“We’re entering a rapid growth phase, and Altruist is the partner to help us scale,” said Ross Gerber, CEO and President of Gerber Kawasaki. “As part of this transition, we’re moving all new business to Altruist to streamline operations and accelerate our path to $10 billion.”
Promotions & People Moves
Sagient Names Pete Alliegro As Chief Investment Officer
El Segundo, California-based Sagient appoints Pete Alliegro to the newly created role of Chief Investment Officer, reporting to CEO Paul Karlitz. Alliegro will be responsible for helping the firm attract and retain financial advisors and clients by refining, documenting and implementing a more formal approach for Sagient’s investment management.
Alliegro has over 25 years of experience in wealth management, portfolio management and institutional investing. Most recently, he was Director of Business Development at SteelPeak Wealth. Prior to that, he worked at Crew Enterprises, Morgan Stanley, U.S. Trust, Research Affiliates, Nuveen Asset Management and Wilshire Associates. Sagient is affiliated with MassMutual and has 85 financial advisors who manage approximately $2 billion in client assets.
Alliegro will be tasked with strengthening the firm’s investment, risk management and financial planning capabilities. “The firm has terrific momentum and is building a full wealth management ecosystem to reflect today’s evolving industry, and the changing and often complex needs of clients,” said Alliegro.
Beacon Pointe Names Matthew Cooper CEO, Co-Founder Shannon Eusey Transitions To Chair Of The Board
Beacon Pointe Advisors announces that Matthew Cooper will succeed Shannon Eusey as the wealth management firm’s next CEO. Eusey, who co-founded the firm and led its growth over the past two decades, transitions to the role of Chair of the Board of Directors.
Cooper has served as the firm’s President for 15 years. He had a central role in shaping Beacon Pointe’s growth strategy, building advisor partnerships and leading its acquisitions, the firm said.
“It is a privilege to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer and build upon the extraordinary foundation Shannon has created,” said Cooper. “Her vision, integrity, and leadership have shaped Beacon Pointe into the firm that it is today. I look forward to continuing to further our mission of delivering independent, client-first advice while driving thoughtful growth and innovation alongside an outstanding team of leaders across the organization.”
Wealth Solutions Report can be reached at info@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
