Wealth Enhancement Group tops $103B in assets with Ohio acquisition

Wealth Enhancement Group tops $103B in assets with Ohio acquisition
The RIA colossus adds to its still-growing national footprint with its fourth location in the state.
JAN 10, 2025

It's not Wealth Enhancement Group's biggest deal of 2024, but it was enough to help the RIA colossus achieve numerous milestones.

The Minneapolis-based aggregator announced its acquisition of Danison & Associates, an independent RIA based in Columbus, Ohio, with more than $82 million in client assets.

The deal revealed Friday marks Wealth Enhancement Group’s fourth location in the state and brings the firm’s total assets under management to over $103 billion.

The Columbus-based RIA, founded in 1997, serves individuals and small businesses with wealth management and financial planning services. The team includes two advisors and two support staff led by Dean Danison, president, and Tracey Danison, vice president, who together bring over 65 years of combined industry experience.

“We are so pleased that Danison & Associates is joining Wealth Enhancement,” Jeff Dekko, chief executive officer of Wealth Enhancement Group, said in a statement Friday. “With access to our centralized planning, estate, tax, and trust services, we are confident that the team will continue to thrive and achieve even greater success.”

The partnership also gives the Captrust its first foothold in a key market, said Chief Strategy Officer Jim Cahn.

“The acquisition of Danison & Associates marks Wealth Enhancement’s first office location in Greater Columbus,” he said. "We look forward to fruitful collaboration and success with the team for years to come."

Dean Danison underscored the enhanced support and resources the partnership brings to his firm.

“We are excited to begin this next chapter as we partner with Wealth Enhancement, a highly respected firm in the industry," he said. "By joining Wealth Enhancement, we will be able to expand our capabilities and receive valuable back office support that will enable us to spend even more time with our clients.”

The deal closed on December 31, and represents Wealth Enhancement Group’s 20th completed transaction in the year. Like other top RIA acquirers, it snapped  up numerous billion-dollar plus firms in 2024, including South Carolina-headquartered FinTrust Capital Advisors in October, Philadelphia-based Levy Wealth Management in September, and Houston's Financial Advisory Group in May.

Latest News

DOJ's fraud sweep bags over $1B in convictions, guilty pleas and indictments in a single week
DOJ's fraud sweep bags over $1B in convictions, guilty pleas and indictments in a single week

Medicare scam, pandemic benefit theft, offshore tax evasion — federal prosecutors are casting a wide net.

Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout
Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout

Report finds that pension income acts as a financial lifeline for retirees facing late-life shocks and raises urgent questions about the DC-only future.

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline