When founders consider succession, they should first actively engage in not just asking – but designing – what the future holds for the people they care about, as well as themselves. These issues must come before discussions about valuations, multiples and payouts, because they are the backdrop where the math becomes meaningful. I previously addressed this process from beginning to end.
This week, I focus on the first step of designing the future with industry leaders – a very fitting article to begin our third quarter focus on M&A. Our annual guide to M&A conferences also follows this quarterly theme.
Why Legacy And Vision Should Drive Advisor M&A
Selling an advisory firm is about much more than money. It requires a focus on legacy, vision and the people that matter to the advisor.
I unpacked what founders need to consider first – including family, community, clients, employees and life after retirement – with Andy Kalbaugh of The Wealth Consulting Group, Jeff Nash of Bridgemark Strategies, Jim Roth of Ascentix Partners, Matt Regan of Wealthcare Capital Management and Bruce Cameron of Berkshire Global Advisors.
Equity Compensation Planning Starts Long Before The Liquidity Event
Jonny Jonson of Compound Planning explains why portfolios are only one aspect of the complex picture facing many holders of equity compensation.
He describes other considerations, including career, tax and concentration.
Guide To Industry Conferences: M&A
This fall, two gatherings — the ECHELON Partners Deals & Dealmakers Summit and DeVoe & Company’s M&A+ Succession Summit — will bring hundreds of executives together in Southern California.
We give you the information you need to know about these events in this installment of our annual Guides to Industry Conferences: M&A edition, including location, dates, speakers, agenda highlights, sponsors and registration information.
Beacon Pointe Study Examines Women’s Financial Confidence
Financial confidence is closely tied to active participation by women in financial decision-making, according to the findings of “HerWorth,” a national study of 10,012 female investors released by female-founded Beacon Pointe Advisors.
The “most significant finding” from the study is that “women who lead their own financial decisions are nearly three times more confident than women in more passive roles,” said the firm’s Shannon Eusey.
Wealthtech Roundup
This month’s roundup includes Amplify, Advisor360°, FINNY, Meradia, YCharts, VastAdvisor, Asset-Map, Feathery, SEI, Jump, TaxStatus and WealthReach.
Much of this month’s news centered around adding and upgrading AI tools.
Deals & Recruiting Roundup
This week’s roundup covers acquisitions by Hightower, Choreo, F.L.Putnam and Carson; RIA launches by Bartholomew and Potomac; Recruiting by CWS, Cetera and AmeriFlex; Mariner partnering with Cariloop; RISR partnering with OnePoint BFG; and appointments by Prairie Wealth and Steward Partners.
The Mariner and Cariloop partnership focuses on an increasingly important issue: helping advisors address clients’ caregiving needs.
$6 Billion Massachusetts Firm Launches Hybrid RIA
Worcester, Massachusetts-based Bartholomew & Company announced its launch as an independent hybrid RIA overseeing about $6 billion in client assets. The firm, as a hybrid RIA, will continue its affiliation with Commonwealth.
After LPL Financial announced last year that it was acquiring Commonwealth, “we moved forward with a planned launch of our own RIA,” said the firm’s Alex Bartholomew.
Hightower Signature Wealth Adds $5 Billion By Buying 3 Affiliated Advisor Firms
Hightower announced it acquired three advisor firms already affiliated with it and added them to Hightower Signature Wealth (HTSW), the firm’s national direct-to-consumer advisory practice. The purchases of Private Vista, Hightower Great Lakes and The McGuirk & De Nevi Group collectively added about $5 billion in AUM to HTSW.
HTSW has added over $25 billion in AUM in the first half of 2026.
Berthel Fisher Recruits APP Financial, Adds Business Development VP
Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Berthel Fisher Companies recruited APP Financial, a Fort Wayne, Indiana-based practice with about $146 million in client assets. It also named Madyson Tracy as Vice President of Business Development.
Tracy will focus on advisor growth, succession planning and partnerships.
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Larry Roth
CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
