RIA Credent Wealth Management has taken another step in its national expansion as it takes in a $450 million fee-only firm.
Headquartered in Cincinatti, Clarify Wealth Management substantially broadens Credent's geographic reach with additional footholds in Columbus, Ohio and Lafayette, Indiana.
The deal marks Credent's 13th acquisition since its launch in 2018, following its April double-deal that brought in Euclid Advisory Ward Wealth Management Services.
David Hefty, CEO of Credent Wealth Management, emphasized the alignment between the two firms.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the talented team at Clarify Wealth to the Credent family. Their unwavering commitment to client service resonates deeply with our own values, and it feels like a perfect fit,” Hefty said in a statement. He added that the acquisition is not just about expanding the business but about building stronger relationships with clients in new regions.
Clarify Wealth’s existing clients will benefit from Credent’s investment platform, which includes unified managed accounts with direct indexing and structured notes. Additionally, the acquisition will provide Clarify’s clients with more robust financial planning as the firm gains access to advanced technology and resources.
James Brandenburgh, founding partner and CEO of Clarify Wealth, shared his positive outlook on the partnership based on "trust and shared values."
“A strong partnership is much like a good marriage ... we truly believe we’ve found the perfect match in Credent Wealth,” he said.
The acquisition also provides a succession plan for Brandenburgh and the firm's other founding partners, CFO Aubrey Ramey and CIO Brad Clark. Along with two experienced staff members, the Clarify team will remain involved as Credent integrates the firm’s next generation of advisors as its latest partners.
"We recognize many advisors are considering their succession options in the coming years," Hefty said, underscoring his firm's goal "to be the firm of choice for those looking for a seamless transition that prioritizes the client experience.”
Credent's deal with Clarify marks the restart of its inorganic growth strategy following a strategic investment from Crestline Investors, an $18 billion alternative investment manager, in July. Aside from driving its national expansion, Hefty said his firm would use the capital infusion to "accelerate investment in the business ... while maintaining our commitment to exceptional client service and to building a forever firm owned by our advisors."
Also, Orion has added BlackRock, Fidelity, and Vanguard to its custom portfolios suite, and RedBlack has set up a new headquarters after crossing a trillion-dollar milestone.
Also, New York-based Legacy Edge Advisors names its first-ever CEO, while Novare Capital Management hires a Vanguard veteran with a multigenerational planning focus.
Asset managers are racing to bring private market products to retirement plans, but cost and liquidity concerns linger.
Treasury's latest tax-exemption crackdown on private schools lands in the wake of a separate push to restrict refundable credits for some immigrant filers.
Workforce trust measures predicted which companies came out ahead during COVID-19. The same dynamic may now be playing out across the AI transition — and the data suggests the spread could be just as wide.
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
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
