Focus, Composition Wealth unveil latest acquisitions

Focus Financial and Composition Wealth, which until recently was operating as Miracle Mile Advisors, have advanced their respective expansion strategies with key acquisitions on Monday.

Focus Financial's merger strategy rolls on in Canada

Focus Financial Partners announced the integration of Dorchester Wealth Management into Cardinal Point Capital Management, its Toronto-based wealth hub operating as Cardinal Point, Focus Partners Canada.

The transaction, finalized on March 1, marks the latest step in Focus's wealth hub strategy – an internal merger initiative that began last year – while strengthening its presence in the Canadian market.

Dorchester, based in Montreal, has been in operation for nearly a century and was one of Canada’s first independent wealth management firms. It joined Focus in 2015 as the company’s first Canadian partner firm.

Cardinal Point, founded in 2009, specializes in cross-border wealth management, offering investment, estate, tax, and financial planning services to high-net-worth clients in the US and Canada. The firm officially became Focus's fifth wealth hub in January, then took on a new identity as Cardinal Point, Focus Partners Canada amid a broader mid-February refresh across the Focus network.

The merger will allow Dorchester clients access to a broader suite of financial planning, tax, and insurance services, while Cardinal Point gains a presence in Montreal and additional investment expertise. Following the transaction, Cardinal Point is expected to manage $5.1 billion CAD in regulatory AUM as of December 31.

“Canada is an exciting growth market for Focus, and we look forward to seeing these firms work together to deliver personalized service and exceptional wealth management solutions and expertise to their clients,” Michael Nathanson, CEO of Focus Financial Partners, said in a statement Monday.

As part of the transition, Robert Bard, formerly president of Dorchester, will become president, wealth management, Montreal operations at Cardinal Point.

Composition Wealth strengthens Seattle presence

Meanwhile, Composition Wealth snapped up two Seattle-area RIAs, Vinoble Group and Unionview Wealth Partners, in its first deals since its late-February rebrand last week. The acquisitions add a combined $930 million in client assets, increasing Composition’s total assets under management to $8.6 billion as of February 28.

The firm has been actively expanding, completing six acquisitions since 2023 and adding over $2.5 billion in client assets. The latest transactions further solidify its presence in the Pacific Northwest.

“These partnerships expand our presence in Seattle while staying true to our vision of bringing together accomplished advisors who share our client-first approach,” Bruce Milam, CEO of Composition Wealth, said Monday.

Vinoble Group, which manages $630 million in assets, was founded in 2016 as an independent RIA after its leadership transitioned from a full-service brokerage firm. Led by Brian Johnson, the firm provides wealth management, group benefits consulting, and tax planning services to more than 400 clients. Johnson and his team will join Composition as part of the transaction.

Unionview Wealth Partners, with $300 million in assets, was established in 2009 and serves high-net-worth families with customized portfolio management and financial planning. Managing partner Katie Pieper and partner Craig Hanson will also join Composition as partners and wealth advisors.

Both firms will integrate into Composition Wealth’s Seattle office, with full operational alignment expected by the third quarter of 2025.

Prior to its deals in Seattle, Composition Wealth, under its previous moniker Miracle Mile, expanded its reach in Maryland by acquiring Offit Advisors in December. Before that, it sought to get a piece of Chicago's flourishing tech scene as it opened a new office there in November.