RIA M&A starts 2021 with a bang

RIA M&A starts 2021 with a bang
In the first week of the new year, eight significant deals involving advisory firms were announced and a total of $159.6 billion in assets changed hands. Among the buyers and sellers — including Hightower, Sageview Advisory Group and Aquiline Capital Partners — were some of the most significant names in the burgeoning RIA industry.
JAN 11, 2021

After ending 2020 at a fevered pitch, registered investment adviser dealmaking started 2021 with a bang and boom last week, with eight significant deals announced and a total of $159.6 billion in assets changing hands.

Among the buyers and sellers were some of the most significant names in the burgeoning RIA industry.

Chicago-based aggregator Hightower kicked off the action last Monday morning announcing its largest acquisition ever, the purchase of Bel Air Investment Advisors, an $8 billion wealth management firm based in Los Angeles. Also last week, Mercer Global Advisors scooped up two RIAs in Atlanta with a total of $1.6 billion in assets.

But the largest transaction was announced last Tuesday, when Aquiline Capital Partners said it bought a majority stake in Sageview Advisory Group, which has $119 billion in assets under advisement, representing the latest major investment by a private equity firm in a large retirement adviser firm.

That deal was completed before the end of the year, signaling that buyers and sellers wanted to get transactions done before the switch to a Democratic administration and a potential tax hike.

"There were definitely a number of sellers who were motivated to get deals done before the end of 2020, with the potential for the Biden administration to increase capital gains taxes and reduce net proceeds retained by sellers. Dec. 31 was something of a finish line for deals that were in progress for the better part of last year," said Mark Bruno, managing director at Echelon Partners. "It’s important to note that deals don’t come together in a matter of weeks or months, so the change in administration was an accelerator, but obviously not the lone motivator."

Motivation has apparently been abundant among RIA buyers and sellers. Late last Monday, Boston Private Financial Holdings said it was being acquired by SVB Financial Group, creating a $17.7 billion wealth management enterprise.

Last Wednesday, Truist Financial Corp. said it sold its $10 billion 401(k) unit, with OneDigital buying the investment advisory relationships and Empower Retirement and Ascensus taking on portions of the firm’s record-keeping business.

Also last Wednesday, storied East Coast wealth management firm Rockefeller Capital Management said it was expanding its Midwest footprint with the acquisition of Whitnell & Co., a $1.4 billion multifamily office based in Chicago.

Finally, last Thursday, Captrust Financial Advisors said it was adding Phoenix-based MRA Associates, a 59-person firm with $3.3 billion under management.

The flurry of RIA dealmaking activity last week was no surprise, Bruno said.

"Given that most deals take nine to 12 months to execute, if not longer, from beginning to end, we expected to see 2020 end with a larger-than-normal amount of activity," he said.

Bruno pointed to Echelon's research showing that there were 69 transactions in the final quarter of 2020, a new record for a single quarter and a 25% increase over the previous quarter.

"For context, the second half of 2020 was by far the most active period of M&A on record for the wealth management industry," he added.

Latest News

JPMorgan tells fintech firms to start paying for customer data
JPMorgan tells fintech firms to start paying for customer data

The move to charge data aggregators fees totaling hundreds of millions of dollars threatens to upend business models across the industry.

FINRA snapshot shows concentration in largest firms, coastal states
FINRA snapshot shows concentration in largest firms, coastal states

The latest snapshot report reveals large firms overwhelmingly account for branches and registrants as trend of net exits from FINRA continues.

Why advisors to divorcing couples shouldn't bet on who'll stay
Why advisors to divorcing couples shouldn't bet on who'll stay

Siding with the primary contact in a marriage might make sense at first, but having both parties' interests at heart could open a better way forward.

SEC spanks closed Osaic RIA for conflicts, over-charging clients on alternatives
SEC spanks closed Osaic RIA for conflicts, over-charging clients on alternatives

With more than $13 billion in assets, American Portfolios Advisors closed last October.

William Blair taps former Raymond James executive to lead investment management business
William Blair taps former Raymond James executive to lead investment management business

Robert D. Kendall brings decades of experience, including roles at DWS Americas and a former investment unit within Morgan Stanley, as he steps into a global leadership position.

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.