Coldstream strikes merger deal with $2B investment advisory firm

Coldstream Capital Management is gaining strength in the Pacific Northwest as it merges with a multibillion-dollar powerhouse advisory practice in Oregon.

On Tuesday, Coldstream announced a merger with Arnerich Massena, a Portland-based investment advisory firm managing around $2 billion in client assets. Post-merger, Coldstream's assets under management will exceed $10 billion.

Arnerich Massena, with a history spanning over 30 years, is led by co-CEOs Reegan Rae and Bryan Shipley. The merger will see Arnerich Massena's seven advisors and 19 staff members become employees and shareholders of Coldstream, rebranded as Team Rae.

"We are delighted to merge with Reegan, Bryan, and the rest of the Arnerich Massena team," Kevin Fitzwilson, Coldstream's managing shareholder said in a statement. "Joining forces with them is consistent with our longtime mergers and acquisitions strategy, which is laser-focused on aligning ourselves with partners who not only share our values and approach to service but are committed to remaining independent and employee-owned."

Team Rae specializes in working with high-net-worth families, individuals, endowments, and foundations, offering portfolio management, investment advisory, and family office-related services such as legacy planning, business exit planning, family governance, and generational wealth planning.

Given his firm’s history and values, Rae said the decision to combine with another firm was one they didn’t come to lightly and was only finalized after they saw Coldstream’s “operating structure, business vision” and “focus on culture rooted in service, intellectual curiosity, and integrity.”

"Merging with Coldstream is a continuation of our core philosophy of only doing that which benefits our clients,” Shipley said. “I am confident this move will enhance our ability to deliver a world-class, boutique-like service experience while still creating new efficiencies, more scale, and expanded investment opportunities for both firms' clients."

This merger follows Coldstream's recent strategic expansions, including the launch of Coldstream Risk Management, formerly known as FIT Insurance, and last year's merger with Seidman Capital Group and Hersman Serles Almond.