Insurer Integrity adds $13 billion Gladstone to growing lineup

Insurer Integrity adds $13 billion Gladstone to growing lineup
The life insurance and wealth management company is making its second acquisition in a week by picking up advisory firm Gladstone.
AUG 04, 2022

Life insurance provider and wealth manager Integrity Marketing Group has agreed to acquire Gladstone Wealth Partners, an advisory firm with more than $13 billion in assets under management.

As part of the acquisition, Gladstone’s founder and chairman, Robert Hudson, and CEO Richard Frick will become managing partners in Integrity.

Integrity did not disclose financial terms of the acquisition, which is scheduled to close upon regulatory approval.

The purchase arrives a week after Integrity agreed to acquire Annexus, an insurance and financial product design and distribution company, also for an undisclosed amount.

Hudson, a former independent financial adviser, founded Gladstone in 2012, and the firm, a hybrid that's affiliated with LPL Financial, has grown steadily since then. Over the past three years, Gladstone has significantly expanded its asset base, resulting in a 108% compound annual growth rate, according to a statement from Integrity.

“Gladstone’s wealth management expertise combined with Integrity’s strength in marketing, technology and product distribution will give rise to far-reaching new solutions, Bryan Adams, co-founder and CEO of Integrity, said in a statement. "The impact we’ll make together will change our clients’ lives for the better.”

“Just like Integrity, we understand that advisers need specialized support as independent advocates for their clients — and we’re dedicated to ensuring their success,” Gladstone’s Hudson said. “Through this partnership, we can deliver enhanced technology and a full suite of products and services to our advisers in order to meet the spectrum of clients’ needs now and well into the future.”

Many of Gladstone’s existing advisers will become equity owners in Integrity through this transaction, Gladstone CEO Frick said, which will enable them to participate in the future appreciation of the combined business.

Ardea Partners served as exclusive financial adviser to Gladstone.

Single-stock ETFs are risky business

Latest News

TaxStatus, Nitrogen plug into Claude and ChatGPT in advisor AI push
TaxStatus, Nitrogen plug into Claude and ChatGPT in advisor AI push

New connectors bring IRS data. planning workflows, and meeting intelligence into AI assistants as RIAs make AI integration a top growth investment

Veteran Calif. advisor at center of $50M customer complaint sidesteps Morgan Stanley’s clawback
Veteran Calif. advisor at center of $50M customer complaint sidesteps Morgan Stanley’s clawback

Sam Su worked at UBS Financial Services in San Francisco from 2008 to 2023 before jumping to Morgan Stanley.

RIA moves: Beacon Pointe buys $905M firm, ASN lands Commonwealth team
RIA moves: Beacon Pointe buys $905M firm, ASN lands Commonwealth team

Wealthspire’s Ground Control is also expanding in London, adding a business manager focused on music and global touring

Investor alleges Arbor Realty Trust misled market on $1.25B loan mess
Investor alleges Arbor Realty Trust misled market on $1.25B loan mess

The REIT allegedly promised investors a fix while the problem grew by $200M.

When is one fund really a substitute for another?
When is one fund really a substitute for another?

Fund categories are a useful starting point – but they can hide meaningful differences.

SPONSORED Best Practices for Engaging Women Around Alternatives

Growing wealth, evolving priorities, and untapped opportunities are reshaping how women approach long-term investing.

SPONSORED Built on insurance experience to deliver on long-term promises

Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.