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

Why the evolution of ETFs is changing the due diligence equation
Why the evolution of ETFs is changing the due diligence equation

As more active strategies get packaged into the ETF wrapper, advisors and investors have to look beyond expense ratios as the benchmark for value.

Most asset managers are using AI, but few let it call the shots
Most asset managers are using AI, but few let it call the shots

Survey finds AI widely embedded in research and analysis, but barely touching portfolio construction or trade execution.

LPL, Raymond James score fresh recruits in advisor recruiting battle
LPL, Raymond James score fresh recruits in advisor recruiting battle

Two firms land teams managing more than $1.1 billion in combined assets from Kestra and Edward Jones.

Edward Jones facing more race bias claims in new lawsuit
Edward Jones facing more race bias claims in new lawsuit

A private partnership, Edward Jones is a giant in the retail brokerage industry with more than 20,000 financial advisors.

Advisor moves: LPL recruitment momentum continues with $815M Northwestern Mutual team
Advisor moves: LPL recruitment momentum continues with $815M Northwestern Mutual team

Meanwhile, Raymond James and Tritonpoint Partners separately welcomed father-son teams, including a breakaway from UBS in Missouri.

SPONSORED Are hedge funds the missing ingredient?

Wellington explores how multi strategy hedge funds may enhance diversification

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