Robertson Stephens welcomes $530M Ratio Wealth

Robertson Stephens welcomes $530M Ratio Wealth
The national RIA’s latest deal in Colorado, also its largest ever, has vaulted it past $6.5B in advisory assets.
JUL 30, 2024

Robertson Stephens is extending its reach yet again with its fourth acquisition of the year.

The San Francisco-headquartered RIA announced on Tuesday that it has acquired Ratio Wealth Group, an RIA managing over $530 million in advisory assets.

Apart from planting a new stake in Colorado with a new Denver office – Robertson Stephens actually bolstered its presence in the state earlier this year with another deal in May – the transaction represents a significant milestone as Ratio Wealth’s AUM makes it Robertson Stephens' largest deal to date.

The new team joining the national RIA consists of co-founders Derek Scarth and Graham Gerlach, along with colleagues Josh Freedman, Nancy Kimball, Becky Neils, Jen Padgett, Jack Seavall, and Shawn Wallace.

Raj Bhattacharyya, CEO of Robertson Stephens, said he was “honored to welcome” the Ratio team, which brings extensive expertise in insurance planning and a focus on pilots in the airline industry.

"From our first meeting, it was clear that Ratio’s high-growth culture, commitment to financial planning, and collaborative approach to client service aligned perfectly with our values," Bhattacharyya said in a statement.

Derek Scarth, who’s stepping in as managing director and principal at Robertson Stephens, commented on the merger's benefits for clients and the firm's growth.

"When we first created Ratio Wealth Group, we aimed to offer institutional-quality financial advice for individuals and families while maintaining a fiduciary relationship," Scarth said. "This merger with Robertson Stephens allows us to stay ahead of those value-added services to deliver on greater client expectations while continuing to expand our client base."

He also highlighted the opportunity for his team and clients to access greater expertise through an investment office, make investments in private equity, and tap a wealth planning group with specialists in tax and estate strategies.

Earlier this month, Robertson Stephens announced another landmark transaction with its deal to partner with Rain Capital in Oregon, which brought its advisory assets past the $6 billion mark.

With the integration of Ratio Wealth Group, Robertson Stephens’ business now has north of $6.5 billion in advisory assets with operations across 22 locations, including San Francisco, Menlo Park, New York, Seattle, and now Denver.

Latest News

AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls
AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls

The new AI feature generates instant client portfolio talking points, slashing meeting prep time for advisors.

Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners
Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners

As Citizens expands its advisory footprint, the bank is also going after wealth trapped inside business ownership

Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026
Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026

The Forbes rankings are highly sought after by some advisors and firms for marketing purposes.

Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition
Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition

Meanwhile, an advisor tuck-in from Edward Jones expands Kestra's Washington, D.C.-area presence, and Janney deepens its Connecticut footprint with an experienced Wells Fargo advisor.

Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors
Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors

KFN Succession Center pairs advisors weighing retirement with buyers, as next-gen affordability keeps eroding industry-wide.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

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