RIA moves: Corient acquires Breed's Hill Capital, continues M&A streak

The post-Labor Day frenzy in RIA M&A showed no signs of slowing this week, including the second significant transaction from CI Financial subsidiary Corient in just a few days.

On Thursday, Corient announced its acquisition of Boston-based Breed’s Hill Capital just days after unveiling a trans-Atlantic mega-merger that will significantly expand its global footprint.

The deal with Breed’s Hill Capital, a firm overseeing $3.5 billion in assets for ultra-high-net-worth families, marks Corient’s latest move to deepen its presence in the New England market.

The acquisition comes on the heels of Corient’s mega-merger deal with Stonehage Fleming and Stanhope Capital Group – two major European wealth managers – which is expected to bring Corient’s total client assets to more than $430 billion.

Founded in 2013 by John J. Edwards, Breed’s Hill Capital has established a reputation for investment advisory and financial planning services to wealthy families, entrepreneurs, and executives. The multi-family office will join Corient’s national platform, which now includes more than 260 partners managing approximately $216 billion in assets across the US.

Kurt MacAlpine, partner and CEO of Corient, highlighted Breed's Hill Capital's "extensive experience in managing the complexities of very wealthy clients and their relentless commitment to excellence."

Meanwhile, New England Private Wealth Advisors announced Thursday that it has acquired DHK Financial Advisors, a Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based firm with $1.6 billion in assets.

NEPWA's acquisition of DHK, which has been operating as an OCIO to charitable organizations, associations, and other institutional investors since 1993, will result in a new combined firm managing nearly $5 billion.

NEPWA chief executive Ira Rapaport said the move will “further our growth trajectory and continue to provide our clients with comprehensive wealth planning services,” while allowing the firm to retain its brand and culture.

The deal comes after NEPWA itself was acquired in April by Aspen Standard Wealth, which made its dealmaking debut last November with its acquisition of Summitry in San Francisco. More recently last month, Aspen extended its footprint in the Northeast as it snapped up MG Financial in Boston.