Independent advisory firms kept up a breakneck pace of dealmaking this week, with three separate announcements underscoring how consolidation continues to reshape the registered investment adviser channel.
Nationwide RIA M&A activity has already jumped nearly 40 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to a midyear report from Berkshire Global Advisors, and this week's news from Las Vegas, New York and Chicago fits that broader pattern of scale-building through recruiting, acquisition and outside capital.
The Wealth Consulting Group, a Las Vegas-based hybrid RIA platform, said it has surpassed $12.1 billion in assets under advisement as of July 31, a milestone the firm attributes to a 27 percent growth rate since last year.
The company said the figure reflects more than $2.6 billion in recruited assets over the past 18 months.
Founded in 1995 by Jimmy Lee, WCG built out an independent RIA platform in 2014 designed to let advisors keep control of their practices while tapping centralized operational support. Matt Gilliam, senior vice president of strategic partnerships at WCG, said the firm's growth stems from meeting advisors where they are – whether that means day-to-day operational support or help structuring succession and monetization plans.
"We are experiencing significant growth, primarily because our firm has risen to the occasion and is meeting the needs of today's advisors," Gilliam said.
Andy Kalbaugh, WCG's president, pointed to the firm's Partners Program, which gives advisors a path to build enterprise value and access partial monetization on their own timeline.
"Our value proposition and culture resonate with experienced advisors looking beyond payout for their final professional home, one that offers shared services, planning depth and long-term financial alignment without compromising their independence," Kalbaugh said.
Coastline Wealth Management, a Long Island, New York-based independent platform, closed a senior secured credit facility of up to $100 million from private credit firm Brightwood Capital Advisors.
Coastline also announced it had completed 12 acquisitions – a mix of full and partial practice purchases – that pushed its combined assets under management and administration past $6 billion.
Founded in 2012 with roughly $20 million in starting assets, Coastline has since completed more than 30 acquisitions and serves over 10,000 clients across the country.
Garrett Taylor, the firm's chief executive, said the new capital gives Coastline room to keep executing its acquisition strategy.
"Surpassing $6 billion in assets is an exciting milestone and, more importantly, a reflection of the quality of the advisors and teams who continue to choose to build their future with us," Taylor said.
Chris Warren, managing director and co-head of capital markets at Brightwood, said the firm saw an opportunity to back a platform built for the current advisor market.
"We were pleased to provide a financing solution that supports the company's immediate acquisition needs while giving the business the flexibility to pursue future opportunities," Warren said.
Brooklyn, New York-based Maridea Wealth Management acquired Park Ridge Financial, a Chicago advisory firm known for full-service planning work spanning investment management, retirement strategy and estate conservation.
Park Ridge founder Rick Pucci, who led the firm for more than 17 years, is joining Maridea as senior investment advisor; his team will merge into Maridea's existing Chicago office, which the firm opened in September 2025. Just a few months before that, Maridea acquired Pinnacle Wealth Management, a Chicago-based RIA firm that had previously been affiliated with LPL.
This past June, Maridea extended its East Coast presence with the acquisition of Ashford Investment Advisors, marking its debut in Florida.
Mier Wang, Maridea's founder and chief executive, said Pucci's practice fit the firm's long-term ambitions in the market. "He has built an outstanding business by investing in great people, fostering a strong culture, and achieving consistent growth," Wang said. "His momentum and professionalism make him a natural fit for Maridea, and this partnership supports our long-term goal of continuing to deepen our presence in Chicago."
Brian Sheehy, senior investment advisor in Maridea's Chicago office, said the combined team gives clients more resources without disrupting existing relationships. "Bringing our teams together under one roof gives clients a deeper bench in their own market – the same local relationships they have always had, now backed by the research, tax, and planning resources of a national firm," Sheehy said.
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