Mariner Wealth Advisors adds new growth streams with $1.8B firm acquisition

Mariner Wealth Advisors adds new growth streams with $1.8B firm acquisition
The deal will extend the firm's outsource investment management capabilities.
NOV 13, 2023

Mariner Wealth Advisors has announced a substantial acquisition that will provide it with enhanced streams for growth.

The addition of Baystate Wealth Management, based in Boston, Massachusetts, adds $1.8 billion AUM but also expands Mariner’s capabilities in outsource investment management for financial advisors, one of Baystate’s key service provisions along with creating customized and diversified portfolios for clients.

Baystate was founded in 2009 by Thomas O’Connor and Dave Porter and has thirteen employees who will all be retained by Mariner. The firm will continue to operate as a third-party investment offering under the Baystate name. The resources and scale of Mariner will open up new avenues for Baystate’s services for advisors.

“The amazing team at Baystate, supported by our loyal client base, never ceases to amaze me,” said O’Connor, president and co-founder of Baystate Wealth Management. “I am so proud of what this group of professionals has built, and joining Mariner Wealth Advisors is the natural next step to ensure they can continue building on our unique offerings to the industry while still putting the client first. This move will provide us with the opportunity to grow in ways we’ve never dreamed possible.”

The deal is expected to close on January 1, 2024, when Baystate’s office will become Mariner’s third in Massachusetts and it’s 98th across the United States.

“Not only does Baystate’s advanced approach to investment portfolios fold perfectly into Mariner’s catalog of strategies, bolstered by their team of talented professionals, but their values also align with ours,” said Marty Bicknell, CEO and president of Mariner Wealth Advisors. “They do what’s right for and by the client, which remains the number one goal at Mariner when serving our clients.”

Latest News

SEC bars ex-broker who sold clients phony private equity fund
SEC bars ex-broker who sold clients phony private equity fund

Rajesh Markan earlier this year pleaded guilty to one count of criminal fraud related to his sale of fake investments to 10 clients totaling $2.9 million.

The key to attracting and retaining the next generation of advisors? Client-focused training
The key to attracting and retaining the next generation of advisors? Client-focused training

From building trust to steering through emotions and responding to client challenges, new advisors need human skills to shape the future of the advice industry.

Chuck Roberts, ex-star at Stifel, barred from the securities industry
Chuck Roberts, ex-star at Stifel, barred from the securities industry

"The outcome is correct, but it's disappointing that FINRA had ample opportunity to investigate the merits of clients' allegations in these claims, including the testimony in the three investor arbitrations with hearings," Jeff Erez, a plaintiff's attorney representing a large portion of the Stifel clients, said.

SEC to weigh ‘innovation exception’ tied to crypto, Atkins says
SEC to weigh ‘innovation exception’ tied to crypto, Atkins says

Chair also praised the passage of stablecoin legislation this week.

Brooklyn-based Maridea snaps up former LPL affiliate to expand in the Midwest
Brooklyn-based Maridea snaps up former LPL affiliate to expand in the Midwest

Maridea Wealth Management's deal in Chicago, Illinois is its first after securing a strategic investment in April.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.