Storytelling is a valuable art in any industry and plays a crucial role in ours. Communications and marketing firms often bear the responsibility for how we understand our industry and the niches that comprise it. They craft how we communicate with one another as well as end clients. And this week we again honor leading firms in this key service area.
WSR Announces IMAGE 5: Top Wealth Management Agency Storytellers
WSR announced the IMAGE 5: Top Wealth Management Agency Storytellers. This year’s winners are Ficomm Partners, Haven Tower Group, JConnelly, Nexus Strategy and StreetCred PR.
This is our fourth year to honor top marketing, communications and storytelling firms in wealth management, coinciding with our quarterly focus on services firms in wealth management.
From Manual To Scalable: How AI Is Reshaping RIA Businesses
Emily Blue of Hue Partners and Aaron Klein of Contio discuss how AI can grow RIAs and increase valuations through scalability, transferability and operational maturity.
This article accompanies a video interview between Blue and Klein in the Hue Partners: M&A Confidential video series.
Driving End-To-End Growth In The Digital Era
We spoke with industry leaders on how to optimize digital solutions for growth: Colleen Bell of Cambridge Investment Research, Ryan George of Docupace, Chris Mills of Feathery and Andy Kalbaugh of The Wealth Consulting Group.
The experts address tech fragmentation, personalization, automation, efficiencies and client experience.
ECHELON: Q1 Was The Most Active Quarter Ever For RIA M&A Deals
There were 142 RIA M&A transactions announced in the first quarter of 2026, making it the most active quarter for RIA M&A deals ever, surpassing the 125 announced in both the third quarter of 2025 and the fourth quarter of 2024, according to ECHELON Partners’ RIA M&A Deal Report.
Total transacted assets under management (AUM) reached $1.67 trillion in the first quarter, more than doubling the $805 billion recorded in Q1 2025, ECHELON said.
Deals & Recruiting Roundup
This week’s roundup features acquisitions by Merit, Wealthspire and Steward Partners; recruiting by Sanctuary, Arax, Apollon and LPL; Prosperity uniting five firms; appointments by Lido and OnePoint BFG; and more.
Prosperity’s uniting five firms demonstrates how varied the options for advisors really are.
Investments Roundup
This month’s roundup features MyVest, iCapital, Envestnet, AssetMark, Citi Wealth, Advyzon, Halo Investing, Raymond James, 55ip, HFR, iShares, Morningstar, BetaNXT, Carlyle and SEI.
HFR reported that global hedge fund industry capital reached a record $5.22 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, the 14th consecutive quarterly increase.
Iron North Private Wealth Joins Sanctuary Wealth From UBS
Sanctuary Wealth recruited a wirehouse breakaway team from UBS. Iron North Private Wealth is an RIA founded by Brad Desormeaux and Abigail Allsup, who were responsible for $350 million in assets while at UBS.
Iron North will establish its office in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, becoming the first Sanctuary partner firm in the state.
Merit Expands Pacific Northwest Presence With Acquisition Of $420 Million Seattle Firm
Merit Financial Advisors acquired Pradel Financial Group, a Seattle-based wealth management firm, founded and led by Paul Pradel, with almost $420 million in AUM.
Pradel was affiliated with Commonwealth for over 23 years.
Steward Partners Adds Nearly $1 Billion In Client Assets With Two Acquisitions
RIA Steward Partners added about $950 million in client assets with the acquisitions of Wisdom Rock Financial Advisory Group in Rochester, New York, from Ameriprise and Largo, Florida-based RIA Jazz Wealth.
These are Steward’s fourth and fifth acquisitions for this year, following nine acquisitions in 2025.
RISR Launches AI-Powered Document Analysis Module For Advisors
RISR announced the launch of an AI-powered document analysis and risk management module that it said was designed to give advisors instant, actionable intelligence from risk documents such as buy-sell agreements and insurance policies. The firm will include the module in its existing subscription at no additional cost, it said.
The module is designed to help advisors support business owners.
Sowell Management Partners With Merchant To Launch Equity Program
Sowell Management launched its Advisor Partnership Program to provide new and existing advisors with the opportunity to participate in the firm’s equity. It will partner with New York-based Merchant for capital to fund the program.
The program is designed to support succession and continuity planning, growth and operational scale.
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Larry Roth
CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
