Three firms have made significant moves in the RIA space, with Hightower and Steward Partners announcing new acquisition deals as a multigenerational planning team of former wirehouse advisors launches their own independent RIA.
On Wednesday, Hightower announced it has made a strategic investment in Smith Anglin, a Dallas-based RIA with approximately $2 billion in assets under management. Founded in 1967, the 34-person team provides integrated retirement planning and tax services with a concentration on clients in the aviation industry.
This is Hightower’s second strategic investment of 2025, coming on the heels of its taking a stake in Lindbrook Capital last week. With the latest deal, the Chicago-based firm now supports 140 advisory businesses in 35 states and Washington, DC, and reported approximately $156 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024.
“The storied organization has built a distinct business model and client focus, with deep experience serving the airline industry, and has demonstrated impressive organic growth over the last few years,” Bob Oros, chairman and chief executive of Hightower, said Wednesday. “We’re looking forward to helping them accelerate their growth as a respected aviation brand in the wealth management space.”
Smith Anglin will gain access to Hightower’s platform of value-added services, including a national in-house trust company, business owner support, and inorganic growth resources.
“Our focus has always been on delivering wealth management for life, and our advisors work diligently to help our clients achieve their goals, dreams, and financial security,” said Steve Anglin, partner at Smith Anglin.
Meanwhile, Steward Partners has acquired Moore's Wealth Management, a Gainesville, Georgia-based advisory team with $700 million in client assets. The deal adds five financial advisors to Steward’s Legacy Division, which supports established advisory teams seeking long-term continuity without losing their brand or client relationships.
Founded in early 2009, the nine-person Moore's Wealth Management team includes partners Scott Moore, his sons Chris and Brian Moore, and Mark Peterson, as well as advisor Isaac Pitt and four staff members. The team focuses on helping retirees and pre-retirees in North Georgia develop customized retirement income strategies, with an emphasis on tax efficiency and wealth preservation.
“The addition of Moore's Wealth Management to our Legacy Division reflects Steward Partners' ongoing commitment to thoughtful, advisor-centered growth,” said Scott Danner, executive vice president and head of the Legacy Division.
The acquisition also expands Steward Partners’ geographic footprint in Georgia, where it first planted a stake in 2023 through Miller Family Wealth Management. As of January, the firm managed more than $40 billion in client assets.
Finally, QTR Family Wealth embarked on a new chapter in its growth story, launching as an independent RIA based in Orlando, Florida.
The firm is led by brothers Wes and Chad Hunter, who previously operated under Bison Wealth, which went through a landmark consolidation in January. The partnership with QTR marked Bison Wealth's first major deal in 2022.
The Hunter brothers have more than 40 years of combined financial industry experience, including time at Merryll Lynch.
QTR advises on approximately $1.8 billion in balance sheet wealth. Its services include M&A planning, private market investment access, and tax-optimized strategies, delivered through a team-based model rather than a traditional solo-advisor approach. The firm serves entrepreneurs, business owners, and multi-generational families.
“Launching our own RIA is a natural evolution for us,” said Chad Hunter, chief executive and managing partner. “We’ve always prioritized listening to our clients’ needs. Now, we have the independence to solve their most complex challenges without the limitations of a large institution.”
The firm’s planning framework addresses four dimensions of wealth: financial, intellectual, social, and human capital.
“True wealth is measured in time well spent,” said Wes Hunter, co-founder and partner. “That’s the essence of QTR: your Quality Time Remaining.”
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