Pathstone snaps up Crestone Capital in $3B deal

Pathstone snaps up Crestone Capital in $3B deal
The employee-owned RIA will see its AUA balloon past $100 billion as it builds a 'true multi-generational family office experience.'
FEB 15, 2024

Pathstone has just unveiled a strategic acquisition that promises to cement its dominant position in the ultra-high-net-worth space.

The independent RIA, known for its investment advice and family office services, has announced a plan to acquire Boulder, Colorado-based wealth management firm Crestone Capital.

Established in 1991 by Eric Kramer, Crestone Capital has built a reputation for its tailored investment management and advisory services, catering to a select group of entrepreneurs, business owners, and their families with a combination of boutique, high-touch services and an institutional approach.

With offices in Colorado, Texas, and California, Crestone manages more than $3 billion in client assets and advises approximately 150 families, focusing primarily on serving first-generation entrepreneurs and wealth creators.

Pathstone, headquartered in Englewood, New Jersey, operates as a partner-owned advisory firm.

Once completed, the acquisition will significantly increase Pathstone's assets under advisement and administration, bringing the total to over $100 billion. It also expands Pathstone's national footprint, adding to its 20 offices across the United States and increasing its team to over 550 members, including more than 225 who own shares in the firm.

“From the very beginning, we admired Crestone’s culture and approach to working with sophisticated families," Matt Fleissig, CEO of Pathstone, said in a statement. Highlighting the firms’ shared focus on serving UNHW families, Fleissig underscored his commitment to “build a true multi-generational family office experience for our clients.”

“The rationale for this agreement is simple: we are a better firm, together,” said Kramer, CEO and managing partner of Crestone.

Once the acquisition is complete, Kramer will join Pathstone’s CEO council. Crestone President Matt Wiles, meanwhile, will be joining Pathstone’s regional leadership team.

Pathstone’s acquisition-driven strategy to conquer the UHNW space has actually been in motion since last year.

In July, it announced that it would snap up Veritable, a $17 billion multifamily office firm, from Affiliated Managers Group. Last May, it announced plans to acquire Brainard Capital Management, a Texas-based RIA firm with $2 billion in AUM.

Private equity up, hedge funds out for wealthy investors, says Tiger 21 founder

Latest News

Osaic executives Kristy Britt and Greg Cornick to leave
Osaic executives Kristy Britt and Greg Cornick to leave

The firm's CFO and EVP of Wealth Management Solutions are the latest executives to exit the broker-dealer.

Estate planning becomes a client retention issue for financial advisors, survey finds
Estate planning becomes a client retention issue for financial advisors, survey finds

Clients are saying they would consider switching advisors if another professional offered estate planning services, according to a new Trust & Will survey.

Candidly adds AI agents for Trump Accounts, workplace benefits
Candidly adds AI agents for Trump Accounts, workplace benefits

CEO Laurel Taylor says the fintech's composable AI stack helps workers optimize dollars across Trump Accounts, 529s, 401(k)s, and other employee benefits.

BMO adds three advisors in Dallas amid Y'all Street wealth boom
BMO adds three advisors in Dallas amid Y'all Street wealth boom

The bank has swiped three private banking veterans from BNY as the city climbs the ranks of America's fastest-growing wealth hubs.

UBS moves toward full-service US bank as plans to extend wealth business
UBS moves toward full-service US bank as plans to extend wealth business

Employee accounts, crypto trials and job cuts frame a pivotal year for the Swiss lender.

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

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

SPONSORED Why direct indexing stopped being optional

Direct indexing is on pace to outgrow ETFs and mutual funds. Northern Trust's Ken Lassner explains why the advisors who get it wish they had started sooner.