Wealthspire, the recently launched RIA giant with more than $580 billion in assets under management or advisement, has agreed to acquire RoundAngle Advisors, a Red Bank, New Jersey-based firm.
The move comes only a week after Wealthspire’s debut as an independent firm, following its formation through the combination of five businesses previously owned by Aon and acquired by private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners from NFP.
RoundAngle Advisors, founded by Jonathan Bernstein, has served individuals and families for more than a decade. It oversees just over $176 million in regulatory assets under management, according to its most recent Form ADV.
Bernstein – who has been in the industry for 23 years, including a roughly 10-year stint with Cetera from 2004 to 2015, according to his BrokerCheck profile – will continue to lead the practice alongside colleagues Nela Diaz and Deirdre DeRosa. The team is expected to maintain its focus on personal attention, now with access to Wealthspire’s broader resources and expertise.
“For us, this partnership represents a natural evolution,” Bernstein said in the announcement. He added that joining Wealthspire allows the team to “continue that work while adding depth and support so we can focus on what matters most – our clients.”
Wealthspire’s chief executive officer, Mike LaMena, said the acquisition is a fit with the firm’s approach to growth. “Jonathan and his team exemplify the care and professionalism that define Wealthspire,” LaMena said. He noted that the partnership deepens Wealthspire’s presence in the Tri-State area and aligns with its strategy of supporting advisors who “lead with empathy, integrity, and client-first values.”
The addition of RoundAngle is intended to provide clients with continuity and access to expanded services, including estate planning, tax strategy, and investment research. Both firms highlighted a shared culture focused on individualized care and long-term relationships.
Wealthspire’s official launch last week brought together Wealthspire Advisors, Fiducient Advisors, Newport Private Wealth, Wealthspire Retirement Advisory, and Ground Control Business Management. The combined firm now employs more than 1,200 people across 40 offices in North America, offering a range of services from wealth management to institutional consulting and business management.
Wealthspire Advisors announced its own deal to acquire a boutique RIA in California, Marin Financial Advisors, this past August. The week after, it was revealed that it would be acquired by Chicago-based MDP, along with the other aforementioned firms that constituted the bulk of NFP's wealth business.
NFP, which is owned by UK-based insurance giant Aon, is maintaining a modest presence in the US wealth space. Last week, it announced two new national practice leaders to oversee its retirement advisory and wealth management businesses.
"While some components of our business are evolving, retirement and wealth remain integral to our strategy and service model,” said Ed O’Malley, executive vice president and head of insurance brokerage and consulting at NFP.
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