F2 Strategy said Tuesday that it acquired MD Solutions (MDS), a Fort Myers, Florida-based wealthtech firm and operations managed services provider that offers a wide variety of investment operations and technology solutions.
The acquisition represents a “key component of F2’s go-to-market strategy, further enhancing its platform of technology, marketing and business services offerings to the wealth management industry,” the firm said in a news release.
F2 said the addition strengthens its presence in the emerging RIA and single-family office (SFO) markets, and allowed F2 to launch a service in which the firm will partner with wealth management software providers to provide implementation and support for technology adoption.
F2 “remains committed to selecting, recommending and implementing the best solutions for each client’s unique needs while building deeper, more strategic relationships with select technology providers—ultimately helping wealth management firms integrate, adopt and leverage new software solutions more seamlessly,” it said.
All MDS employees and projects are integrating into F2, “effective immediately,” according to F2.
The absorption of MDS into F2 aligns with F2’s “philosophy of using technology to amplify – rather than replace – the value of human services,” it said.
MDS is led by Steve Mars and Bill Navarro, who founded the firm in 2004.
Noting that F2 has had a longtime relationship with Mars and Navarro, Doug Fritz, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of F2, said he and they “quickly recognized the synergies between our firms.”
The integration of MDS into F2 will allow F2 to provide a “full suite of end-to-end services—extending beyond vendor selection and strategy to also include implementation and ongoing support in partnership with best-in-class wealthtech providers,” according to Fritz.
“MDS brings the operational expertise we need to scale these offerings effectively, a critical component of our growth strategy for the future,” he added.
Mars said, “As firms navigate skyrocketing software demands, evolving compliance requirements and the shift to cloud-based platforms, I saw an opportunity with F2 Strategy to help deliver innovative, flexible solutions that keep pace with the industry’s transformation.”
MDS represents F2’s third transaction in the last two years, following a strategic growth investment from private equity firm Renovus Capital Partners in June 2023 and acquisitions of Oakbrook Solutions around the same time and SKY Marketing Consultants in March 2024.
Jeff Berman, Contributing Editor and Reporter at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at jeff.berman@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
