Chicago-based Hightower said Wednesday it is investing in RIA Smith Anglin, a financial planning and wealth management practice based in Dallas with about $2 billion in assets under management (AUM).
The transaction is “scheduled to be competed at the end of Q2,” a Hightower Advisors spokesperson told WSR.
This is Hightower’s second deal of 2025, following its investment in RIA Lindbrook Capital, announced May 13.
Asked Wednesday about Hightower’s deal pipeline, the Hightower Advisors spokesperson repeated his statement from the Lindbrook deal: “We expect deal flow will be similar to last year, when we completed six strategic investments.”
Smith Anglin was founded in 1967 and its 34-person team provides an “integrated retirement preparedness and tax preparation experience for the aviation industry,” Hightower said in a news release.
“The storied organization has built a distinct business model and client focus, with deep experience serving the airline industry, and has demonstrated impressive organic growth over the last few years,” Bob Oros, Hightower CEO and Chairman, said of Smith Anglin. “We’re looking forward to helping them accelerate their growth as a respected aviation brand in the wealth management space.”
“Our focus has always been on delivering wealth management for life.”
– Steve Anglin, Partner and Wealth Advisor, Smith Anglin.
“Our focus has always been on delivering wealth management for life, and our advisors work diligently to help our clients achieve their goals, dreams, and financial security,” according to Steve Anglin, Partner and Wealth Advisor at Smith Anglin.
“We’re really excited to be able to take advantage of Hightower’s resources, including its integrated tech stack and value-added services, which will allow us to continue to grow our business and help deliver on our mission to secure the financial well-being of our clients over the course of their lives,” Anglin said.
Smith Anglin was advised on the transaction by Berkshire Global Advisors and Scheef & Stone provided legal counsel. Polsinelli PC provided legal counsel for Hightower.
The AUM of Hightower and its affiliates was about $168 billion as of Dec. 31, it said. It has a national in-house trust company and a wholly owned CPA practice. Hightower said its advisor community now includes over 140 advisory businesses in 35 states and the District of Columbia.
Jeff Berman, Contributing Editor and Reporter at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at jeff.berman@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
