Cerity Partners continues merger tear with SBC Wealth Management

Cerity Partners continues merger tear with SBC Wealth Management
The national wealth firm's latest deal adds $1B in assets while extending its reach to affluent clients in Indiana.
OCT 08, 2024

Cerity Partners is striking while the iron is hot as it unveils its latest merger deal with a Midwest wealth firm.

On Tuesday, the top-ranked RIA announced its merger with SBC Wealth Management, an Indianapolis firm with a focus on serving affluent individuals and businesses. This merger will bring an additional $1 billion in AUM to Cerity Partners, further strengthening its foothold in the Midwest.

Following the deal, SBC Wealth Management, which has operated for over 40 years, will transition to operate under the Cerity Partners name. This move is aimed at expanding both firms' capabilities in financial planning and investment advisory services, while continuing to serve clients with a personalized approach.

“SBC’s longstanding experience and commitment to personalized client service, colleague development and their community aligns perfectly with Cerity Partners’ core values,” Claire O’Keefe, partner and head of partner development at Cerity Partners said in a statement Tuesday. “Welcoming their talented team to our partnership strengthens our regional presence in Indianapolis and enhances our ability to deliver custom wealth management services to our clients.”

Patrick Morrow, CEO of SBC Wealth Management, framed the agreement in terms of the philosophical alignment between the two firms.

Merging with Cerity Partners is a natural progression of our 40-year mission to deliver exceptional wealth management solutions,” said Morrow, a 30-year veteran of the industry. “Our shared commitment to a client-first approach makes this partnership an ideal fit.”

Cerity Partners' transaction in Indianapolis is the latest in what's shaping up to be a busy calendar, following a merger with specialist VC firm to form Cerity Partners Ventures last month and, more recently last week, a deal with Janiczek Wealth Management, a Denver, Colorado-based firm catering to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.

In September, the firm also hired industry veteran Todd Cassler as its first-ever chief growth officer, a role it said would be focused solely on driving organic growth within the organization.

Latest News

Envestnet agrees to buy Vestmark, adding institutional trading muscle
Envestnet agrees to buy Vestmark, adding institutional trading muscle

The deal gives Envestnet institutional-grade trading and tax technology alongside Vestmark's advisory client base

Savvy Wealth lands $100M to scale AI agents for advisors
Savvy Wealth lands $100M to scale AI agents for advisors

The AI-driven RIA has doubled its advisor base to over 150 this year and is on pace to top $100M in annual recurring revenue

Orion expands advisor trading, keeps oversight with firms
Orion expands advisor trading, keeps oversight with firms

New trading tools let advisors execute and rebalance client portfolios directly, while firms retain permission-based control.

Edelman Financial Engines brings fiduciary advice to small business plans
Edelman Financial Engines brings fiduciary advice to small business plans

New ADP-delivered solution gives small and mid-size businesses access to 3(38) fiduciary oversight and participant-level advice for one fee.

Hightower Signature Wealth adds $1.6B Boston-area firm
Hightower Signature Wealth adds $1.6B Boston-area firm

Boston Hill Advisors joins Hightower's national platform as the mega-RIA's latest Massachusetts move drives HTSW closer to its $50 billion target for 2026.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income