Two hybrid RIA platforms are closing out 2025 with aggressive expansion, underscoring continued demand among independent advisors for scale, capital and back-office support.
Bluespring Wealth Partners said it completed nine acquisitions this year, adding more than $6 billion in assets under management and positioning itself for additional deals expected to close in early 2026. The Austin-based firm, owned by Kestra Holdings, focuses on buying independent RIAs and hybrid wealth practices that want to grow while keeping their brands and client-first positioning.
President Pradeep Jayaraman said in a statement that 2025 was “a pivotal year for Bluespring as we expanded our footprint and made meaningful investments in leadership and advisor support,” and that the firm plans to pursue “disciplined growth through selective acquisitions and consistent integrations” next year.
Bluespring’s 2025 transactions included a mix of stand-alone deals and tuck-ins to existing partner firms. New additions in key regional markets included Charter Capital Management, New Wall Street, Ray Olson, Signature Wealth Management, Halcyon Wealth Advisors and Reliant Wealth Planning. The firm also leaned on its tuck-in strategy, with Fiduciary Edge Advisors joining Curo Private Wealth and SilverStar Wealth Management rolling into LifeBridge Financial Group.
Bluespring facilitated the launch of ClariVise Private Wealth, carving out an existing advisor team into a standalone brand while keeping client relationships intact. The company also broadened its executive ranks in operations, compliance, business development and M&A to support integration and advisor services.
“Bluespring’s strong performance underscores the power of pairing advisor-led firms with the resources and stability of the Kestra ecosystem,” said James Poer, chief executive of Kestra Holdings, adding that the group aims to “create a strong platform that powers the financial independence of our partner firms.”
Meanwhile Concurrent, a Tampa-based hybrid RIA founded in 2017, reported it grew assets under advisement from $10 billion to more than $15 billion this year, a 50% increase. Including its advisory and brokerage assets, Concurrent said its total AUM and AUA now exceed $30 billion.
The firm added three advisors to its network in the fourth quarter – including a $1.3 billion team formerly with Raymond James – and seven more to existing partner practices, bringing its total advisor head count to 155. Leadership credits a model that combines multi-custodial flexibility, home-office support and, increasingly, minority equity stakes.
“Our goal is to provide advisors with the resources and operational synergies that will help them grow their practice,” said chief executive Nate Lenz. “Our business model aligns our success to theirs, creating a structure where both Concurrent and our advisors thrive together.”
Concurrent has about 70 professionals at its home office and has layered on offerings such as its WealthSelect and OCIO platform, an acquisition of Next Retirement Solutions and a revamped central advisory service. It also launched RIA Capital Partners, a minority investment program that has completed four deals so far and, according to the firm, helped at least one partner increase assets by nearly 20% within six months.
Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.
Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.
It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.
Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.
Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income