RIA M&A cooled in the third quarter after seven consecutive quarters of record-setting activity, but this is more of a weak patch than a new trend. DeVoe & Company identifies economic uncertainty as far back as 18 months ago making its way through the system as the potential cause of the slowdown, but still sees another annual record within reach.
We’re also excited to continue to bring you great podcast content. Here’s our featured podcast of the week, with Carrick Lane’s John Marshall:
Wealth Set Go: Carrick Lane’s John Marshall Discusses Managed Option Strategies In Wealth Portfolios
Carrick Lane’s John Marshall joins Jim Roth of Ascentix Partners on Wealth Set Go to discuss managed option strategies, liquidity, portfolio diversification and how option income strategies can complement direct indexing.
Marshall highlights an important distinction in the growing alternatives market: Some strategies can supplement an existing portfolio rather than replace part of it.
Succession Planning Tips That Tip The Scales In Your Favor
Jeff Nash of Bridgemark Strategies asks Thomas Goodson of The AmeriFlex Group, Kosta Tanglis of Genesis Wealth, Micah Kelley of The Kelley Financial Group and Jason Hanavan of VestGen Wealth Partners how they approach succession planning and which elements matter most.
A deal changes ownership, but transferring client trust and leadership takes longer. These executives explain why preparation before the transaction matters.
The Next Tech Frontier For RIAs Isn’t Investing. It’s Advice
Ryan Halls of Hue Partners and Tim White of Wealth.com discuss how RIA founders can use estate planning and tax technology to expand advice, strengthen client relationships and evaluate what an M&A partner can bring to the business.
This article accompanies a video interview between Halls and White in the Hue Partners: M&A Confidential video series.
Talent Stack: GeoWealth’s Jack Hannah Discusses Culture And Scalable Advisory Practices
GeoWealth’s Jack Hannah joins Laurie Stack on Talent Stack to discuss coachability, culture, client fit and how advisory firms can build scalable practices without sacrificing strong client relationships.
Hannah argues that firms can serve clients well without trying to be everything to everyone by focusing on relationships that fit their capabilities and values.
Monthly RIA M&A Trends For September
Hesom Parhizkar of AdvizorPro examines September’s RIA M&A activity, including buyers’ expansion into tax and family office services and the geographic distribution of acquired firms.
September filings showed 24 acquired firms with $38.16 billion in combined assets under management (AUM). Two firms accounted for 68.3% of that total, while the median acquired firm had $489.5 million in AUM.
Trilogy Capital Acquires $1 Billion Aviation-Focused RIA
Trilogy Capital acquired Mountain Capital Investment Advisors, an RIA with more than $1 billion in client assets and a focus on aviation professionals. The deal is Trilogy’s largest of the year and adds its 11th office and second Colorado location.
Mountain Capital will retain its brand, leadership team, advisors and staff, while its tax preparation and consulting services will be combined with Trilogy Tax & Consulting.
Social Security And The High Net Worth Client
Claiming Social Security can affect more than retirement spending for high net worth clients. Tax planning, portfolio withdrawals, longevity and survivor benefits all enter the discussion.
Rob Schultz of Artisancap, Joseph Femia of Seven Bridges Wealth Advisors, Kevin Sierzant of Caprock, Vance Litchfield of Sagient and Pratik Shah of Great Lakes Financial Group, affiliated with Prudential Wealth Advisors, share how they approach those decisions with clients.
Advising Athletes Through Short Careers And Sudden Wealth
Family obligations, spending pressure and tax surprises can complicate financial planning for athletes. Jamel Gordon of Rose Capital Advisors, Brittany Hartnett of OpenArc Corporate Advisory, Matt LaPorta of Dynasty Financial Partners and Ben L. Davidson of Americana Partners explain what makes serving these clients different.
They explore budgeting, financial education and the adjustment to wealth that arrives early but needs to last decades, including the pressure athletes can face to support family and friends.
Investments Roundup
This month’s roundup features CAIS, AssetMark, Altruist, SEI, DTCC, iCapital, Morningstar, Envestnet, Alto, Arch, Raymond James, Potomac, Broadridge and Adhesion Wealth.
Private markets are in the spotlight this month, including AssetMark’s private equity funds, Morningstar’s public-private model distribution, Raymond James’ combined traditional and alternative investments, and DTCC partnering with iCapital on infrastructure.
Deals & Recruiting Roundup
This week we cover Willow Tree funding VestGen; M&A by CohnReznick, Annex and Carson; recruiting by CAPTRUST, Indivisible and LPL; Perennial’s launch; Criterion’s rebrand; FFP’s training launch; Rothschild’s new RIA; and an appointment by Choreo.
Pro bono financial planning is a constant need in our industry. The Foundation for Financial Planning’s new free, one-hour training helps planners prepare for pro bono work.
Sammons Introduces Criterion Wealth Advisory Brand
Sammons Financial Group introduced Criterion as the new name for its wealth advisory holding company, bringing together Beacon Capital Management, NorthRock Partners and Wealthcare. The firms collectively have more than $27 billion in assets under management or advisement.
Over the past 18 months, the businesses closed 14 acquisitions representing $7.7 billion in AUM, excluding the Wealthcare platform acquisition.
Perennial Launches With Over $500 Million In Client Assets
Perennial Wealth Partners launched its wealth management practice within Integrated Partners.
Its eight founding partners include six advisors who previously managed more than $500 million in client assets at Hightower Advisors.
DeVoe & Company: RIA M&A Activity Fell 17% In Q3
RIA M&A activity fell 17% in the third quarter, ending seven consecutive quarters of record-setting activity, according to DeVoe & Company. The firm’s revised forecast leaves another annual record within reach.
The firm’s 3Q report found that dealmaking continued to shift toward larger sellers and consolidators. David DeVoe said professional management helped larger firms keep sale plans moving while smaller firms’ founders focused on clients during market volatility.
DeepVest Launches PlanLab Financial Planning Capability For Advisors
DeepVest launched PlanLab, bringing financial planning into its platform alongside proposal generation, portfolio analysis and monitoring. The tool connects 11 planning areas.
PlanLab combines AI-assisted workflows with rules-based calculations, and every AI-generated recommendation requires advisor review and approval.
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Larry Roth
CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
