Retirement plan service providers Ascensus and Newport Group are merging, with Ascensus as the surviving company.
David Musto, president and chief executive of Dresher, Pennsylvania-based Ascensus, will serve as CEO of the combined company. Greg Tschider has stepped down as CEO of Walnut Creek, California-based Newport, and Laura Ramanis, its chief operating officer, will serve as interim CEO until the close of the transaction, the terms of which were not disclosed.
Ramanis and Kurt Laning, Newport’s executive vice president, will join Ascensus post-closing, Ascensus said in a release.
Once the firms combine, Ascensus will administer more than $700 billion in assets for more than 150,000 retirement plans.
Firms continue their quest to attract and retain the best advisor teams.
A survey from TacticalMind AI found 69% of advisors say a high-quality AI platform that makes investment recommendations and constructs portfolios is worth $500 monthly, while research-only tools are valued closer to $250.
The alts tech provider's latest integration lets advisors query fund data and surface portfolio insights without leaving their primary workspace.
The regulator is scrutinizing how some firms oversee concentrated positions in complex "worst-of" notes – and wants answers.
Meanwhile, Carson Group fully integrates a decades-old practice in Phoenix, Arizona, and Triad Wealth touts its 5x growth to hit a $2 billion milestone.
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
Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline