Wealthspire acquires $2.7 billion Private Ocean

Wealthspire acquires $2.7 billion Private Ocean
With two deals pending, New York-based Wealthspire is approaching $17 billion in total RIA assets.
NOV 22, 2021

New York-based Wealthspire Advisors is ramping up its acquisition game with an agreement to buy $2.7 billion Private Ocean, based in San Rafael, California.

The deal follows Wealthspire’s October announcement of plans to acquire Private Capital Group, a $1 billion advisory firm based in West Hartford, Connecticut.

When both those deals are closed by the end of this year, Wealthspire will oversee approximately $17 billion in RIA assets and have 18 offices.

Founded in 2009, Private Ocean is the combination of two of the oldest privately held wealth management firms in the San Francisco Bay Area — Salient Wealth Management and Friedman & Associates.

The firm has also acquired Lakeview Financial in Seattle and Mosaic Financial Partners in San Francisco. 

Greg Friedman, chief executive and founder of Private Ocean, is the author of three books for financial advisers and leaders, including two on successful RIA mergers and acquisitions.

“It is exciting to partner with a dynamic enterprise like Wealthspire,” Friedman said in a prepared statement.

“We both share the highest fiduciary standards and philosophy on client service, enabling us to remain true to our commitment to deliver personal and powerful wealth management to our clients,” Friedman said. “This is an important step for both of our firms in an environment where scale and quality matter.”

Latest News

Want to get the most out of alts? You’ll have to do your homework
Want to get the most out of alts? You’ll have to do your homework

Advisors who expect an edge from alternatives' illiquidity premium – without understanding the underlying terms and explaining them to clients – have a world of learning to do.

'Finfluencer' Ponzi scheme defrauds investors of over $20M
'Finfluencer' Ponzi scheme defrauds investors of over $20M

The social influencer Tyler Bossetti pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aiding in the filing of false tax documents as a result of the real estate scheme, which ran from 2019 to 2023 and used platforms including Facebook and YouTube.

US annuity sales see sixth straight $100B+ quarter
US annuity sales see sixth straight $100B+ quarter

The latest LIMRA data release shows continued growth in RILAs, variable annuities, and FRD products, though researchers argue more education is still needed.

RIA moves: Thiel's Indivisible welcomes Ride Wealth Partners, $4B Beacon snaps up Astor
RIA moves: Thiel's Indivisible welcomes Ride Wealth Partners, $4B Beacon snaps up Astor

Indivisible Partners builds on its strategy to take turf in the independent space with its latest move in Colorado.

Advisor moves: LPL adds $425M Evermark Investment Partners, $300M Merril Lynch group hops to Ameriprise
Advisor moves: LPL adds $425M Evermark Investment Partners, $300M Merril Lynch group hops to Ameriprise

LPL's latest addition, a San Diego team defecting from RBC, represents a milestone for the broker-dealer giant's Strategic Wealth model for wirehouse breakaways.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave