The RIA landscape has added two fresh identities this week, with a well-known financial services brand expanding its wealth management capabilities while another firm opts for a rebrand.
Farmers has announced the debut of Farmers Asset Management, LLC, a newly formed, full-service RIA designed to expand the firm’s wealth management reach beyond its long-standing brokerage and insurance channels.
The company positioned the launch as a strategic step to unify investment management, financial planning and insurance-based solutions under one brand.
“We are building a full spectrum of financial offerings because investment management and insurance drive mutual growth and help customers with a broad array of financial needs,” said Zachary Schear, CFP, President. “Farmers Asset Management, LLC is a modern wealth management firm designed to provide clients a wide array of fee-based financial planning and investment services. Along with options available through Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC and Farmers insurers, customers working with Farmers representatives will have convenient access to top annuity, risk mitigation and insurance offerings through the well-respected Farmers brand to address nearly every stage of their financial lives.”
The RIA will custody assets with Charles Schwab and use Orion for technology, financial planning tools, OCIO services and access to investment platforms.
Farmers already maintains a sizable financial services footprint through Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC, its broker-dealer and insurance agency, which supports more than 2,500 registered representatives and oversees over $10 billion in client assets. Schear became president and CEO of FFS in January 2024.
With FAM, Farmers now adds a fee-based advisory arm to complement its existing brokerage and insurance distribution. The firm said the structure also creates new opportunities for its traditional insurance agents and financial services agents to offer broader planning and asset management capabilities.
Ken Walton, President of Distribution for Farmers Insurance Group, emphasized the strategic intent to keep existing insurance clients within the Farmers ecosystem for investment advice.
“By creating Farmers Asset Management, LLC, we now offer a way to provide our existing insurance customers a trusted avenue for investment advice, financial planning and asset management,” he said. “We believe this expanded wealth management platform will attract growth-oriented, fee-based advisors who are ready to elevate their businesses by providing more comprehensive services and appreciate the important role that risk, guaranteed income and insurance products can play in helping clients reach their financial goals.”
The firm said the new RIA builds on the foundation laid by FFS over the past 25 years and aims to deepen client relationships through holistic advice and planning.
In a separate move, SLK Private Wealth Management, LLC announced it has rebranded and will now operate as Evolve Private Wealth, LLC.
The firm, which oversees more than $2 billion in global assets under management, said the name change reflects its transformation into a multigenerational wealth advisory group with expanded service capabilities.
“Our firm has always been focused on delivering a family-office experience that gives clients confidence and clarity around their financial future,” said Glen Strauss, Managing Partner of Evolve Private Wealth. “Our new name better reflects who we are today and our forward-looking vision as we continue to expand the depth of our services and investment opportunities for the families we serve.”
Strauss along with fellow managing partners Jonathan Lewis and EJ Kahn, Chief Investment Officer Razmig Der-Tavitian and Portfolio Manager Hank Krakover, launched the firm in 2022 after departing Wells Fargo Advisors. Initially operating under Sanctuary Wealth, the group expanded again in 2024 with the addition of Los Angeles-based advisors Adam and Eleanor Weinstock, who brought more than $300 million in client assets and broadened the firm’s reach into entrepreneur, entertainment and executive clientele. The firm became fully independent in January 2025.
Now operating as Evolve Private Wealth, the RIA said it will continue delivering comprehensive planning, investment management, tax strategy, insurance solutions and estate planning for high-net-worth families nationwide.
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