$1.7 billion team exits Avidian to form new RIA affiliated with Hightower

$1.7 billion team exits Avidian to form new RIA affiliated with Hightower
Houston-based Presidio Wealth Partners is leaving with nearly half of Avidian's $4 billion in assets and aspires to reach $5 billion in five years.
JUN 09, 2023

Houston-based financial advisor Scott Bishop is peeling away from Avidian Wealth Solutions, along with 13 of his colleagues and $1.7 billion in client assets, to launch a new RIA, Presidio Wealth Partners.

The new firm, which will begin operations Monday, formed as a partnership with Hightower Advisors.

Bishop, who is managing director and partner at the new firm, along with Cy Cattan, described the separation as a “front door” deal, meaning it was conducted with the cooperation and support of Avidian, a $4 billion RIA that Bishop and Cattan joined 10 years ago when it had just $500 million in client assets.

According to a letter sent to the Avidian clients who will be transitioning to Presidio, “we have been working closely and amicably with Avidian Wealth Solutions to help ensure a seamless transition for our team and clients to Presidio. Given that your portfolio assets are held by third-party custodians, this transition will be seamless to facilitate. Your accounts will remain with your current custodians, and you will retain the same account numbers and login information as well.”

 Bishop, who has worked with Cattan for 20 years, said the desire to create a new RIA relates to a focus on organic growth and better access to alternative investments, among other things.

“It’s a directional thing,” Bishop said. “Avidian is growing through acquisitions and a lot of their resources are spent on growth. Our goal is to grow organically and to get to $5 billion in the next five years."

Bishop said he and his team have been talking about the move for about a year and decided on partnering with Hightower because of its technology and alternatives platform.

Presidio will operate similarly to a multifamily office advisory firm, Bishop said, and noted that the average client has more than $8 million.

Terms of the deal with Hightower were not disclosed beyond the acknowledgement that each firm now owns a portion of the other firm’s stock.

Here's how C-Suiters feel about remote work, AI and 'Succession'

Latest News

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker
Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker

Professional athletes are often targets of scam artists and are particularly vulnerable to fraud.

Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day
Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day

The brokerage giant tells Wall Street it will use artificial intelligence to reach clients it has never been able to serve — and turn the technology's perceived threat into a competitive edge.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline