Merit Financial Advisors Acquires Wealth Firms | $569M AUM

Merit Financial Advisors Acquires Two Wealth Firms,Boosting Assets by $569 Million

Atlanta,GA – In a strategic move to broaden its national footprint,Ria Merit Financial Advisors completed the acquisition of two prominent wealth management firms on June 24,2025. The acquisitions of Amp Wealth Management and Olympic wealth collectively bring an additional $569 million in assets under management (AUM), significantly enhancing Merit Financial’s presence in both the Pacific Northwest and midwest regions.

Expanding Reach: New Acquisitions Bolster Merit Financial’s Portfolio

Amp Wealth Management, based in atlanta and managing $365 million in assets, marks Merit Financial’s seventh location in Wisconsin. The firm offers complete investment management services and specializes in dividend stock strategies tailored to businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and dental professionals.

Olympic wealth, located in Bothell, WA, brings an additional $204 million in client assets. Specializing in retirement planning and investment management for Boeing employees and retirees in the Seattle-Tacoma area, Olympic Wealth strengthens Merit’s expertise in serving this niche market.

leadership Integration: Key Personnel Join Merit Financial

Jerome Mahalick, the founder of Amp Wealth Management, joins Merit Financial as a wealth manager, accompanied by Greg Mahalick (wealth manager), Jamie Breen (portfolio strategist), and Stacey horn (branch operations manager). Their expertise will be invaluable in integrating Amp Wealth’s strategies and client base.

Eric Cumley, founder of Olympic Wealth, also joins Merit Financial as a wealth manager, along with Sarah Lominick, senior client service manager. their deep understanding of the retirement needs of Boeing employees will enhance Merit’s specialized services.

pro Tip: diversifying your investment portfolio across different asset classes and geographic regions is crucial for managing risk and maximizing returns. consider consulting a financial advisor to tailor a strategy to your specific needs.

Strategic growth: Merit Financial’s Acquisition strategy

These acquisitions represent Merit Financial’s thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth as receiving a minority investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group and a strategic investor group led by Hggc’s Aspire Holdings platform in 2020. This investment has fueled Merit’s expansion, enabling it to acquire firms that complement its existing services and geographic reach.

In February 2025,Merit Financial further expanded its presence by acquiring Hershey Wealth advisors,Llc,based in Pennsylvania,adding $233 million in client assets and establishing its fifth office in the state.

Key Acquisition Details

Firm	Location	Assets Under Management	Specialization
Amp Wealth Management	Atlanta, GA (Servicing Wisconsin)	$365 Million	Investment Management, Dividend Stock Strategy
Olympic Wealth	Bothell, WA	$204 Million	Retirement Planning for Boeing Employees

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Merit Financial?

With a growing national presence and a strategic focus on specialized wealth management services, Merit Financial Advisors is poised for continued growth. The integration of Amp Wealth Management and Olympic Wealth will enhance its capabilities and provide clients with access to a broader range of expertise.

What factors do you consider when choosing a wealth management firm? How significant is specialization in a particular industry or retirement plan?

The Evolving Landscape of Wealth Management Acquisitions

The wealth management industry has seen increasing consolidation in recent years, driven by factors such as aging advisor populations, rising compliance costs, and the desire to offer clients a more comprehensive suite of services. according to a Deloitte report published in May 2025, mergers and acquisitions in the wealth management sector increased by 15% in the past year.

Did You Know? Robo-advisors are increasingly popular, managing over $2.7 trillion globally as of December 2024, according to Statista.

For firms like Merit Financial, strategic acquisitions offer a pathway to expand their geographic reach, enhance their expertise, and achieve economies of scale. By integrating firms with complementary strengths, they can create a more robust and competitive offering for clients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wealth Management and Acquisitions

• Why did Merit Financial Advisors acquire these wealth management firms?

  These acquisitions strategically enhance Merit Financial Advisors’s presence in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest, bringing significant expertise and assets under their management.

• what are the key benefits of joining Merit Financial Advisors for acquired firms?

  Joining Merit Financial Advisors provides access to greater resources, enhanced support, and a broader platform for their investment strategies, ultimately benefiting their clients.

• How much in assets under management does Merit financial Advisors now oversee after these acquisitions?

  With the addition of Amp wealth Management and Olympic Wealth, Merit Financial Advisors now oversees an additional $569 million in combined assets under management.

• What specific services do the acquired wealth management firms offer?

  Amp Wealth Management offers investment management and a dividend stock strategy, while Olympic Wealth specializes in retirement planning and investment management for Boeing employees and retirees.

• What is the significance of Merit Financial Advisors’s investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC’s Aspire Holdings platform?

  The investment has fueled Merit Financial Advisors’s growth strategy, enabling them to execute numerous acquisitions and expand their market presence significantly.

• How does the acquisition strategy benefit clients?

  By integrating firms with specialized expertise, Merit financial Advisors can offer a broader range of services and deeper expertise to its clients, enhancing their overall financial planning experience.

What are your thoughts on this acquisition? Share your comments below!

Here’s a PAA-related question based on the provided text:

Merit Financial Advisors Acquires Wealth Firms: Boosting AUM to $569M

Merit Financial Advisors has been making notable strides in the wealth management sector, particularly through strategic acquisitions. These moves are a key part of their growth strategy, resulting in a significant increase in their Assets Under Management (AUM). This article delves into the specifics of these acquisitions and their impact on the financial landscape.

The Acquisition Strategy of Merit Financial Advisors

Merit Financial Advisors has adopted an aggressive yet strategic approach to expanding its assets and client base. The primary method employed has been the acquisition of established wealth firms. This allows Merit to quickly gain access to:

• Experienced financial advisors and teams.
• Established client relationships.
• expanded geographical reach.

Key Acquisitions & Their Impact

Several key acquisitions have propelled Merit Financial Advisors to its current AUM. These mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities are instrumental in shaping the firm’s current position within the financial advisory industry. Each acquisition brings not only assets under management but also unique expertise and client segments.

Let’s examine a simplified overview of the impact:

Acquired Firm	Approximate AUM Added	Strategic Benefit
Wealth Management Firm A	$175M	Expand client base in the Southeast
Financial Planning Group B	$200M	Strengthen service offerings and expertise in retirement planning options
Investment Advisory C	$194M	Diversify investment strategies and client portfolios

These acquisitions collectively contributed to Merit’s significant growth and its ability to strategically allocate financial resources, reaching a total of $569M AUM.

Financial Planning Services & Client Benefits

With the expansion comes an enhanced focus on client services. Merit Financial Advisors emphasizes providing a extensive suite of financial planning services. This includes:

• retirement Planning
• Investment Management
• Estate Planning
• Tax Planning

The result of these acquisitions is that clients of Merit Financial Advisors benefit from a broader range of expertise, more sophisticated investment strategies, and perhaps better returns. More robust services provide better support for their wealth management.

Investment Management & Strategy Highlights

Merit Financial Advisors offers various investment strategies, catering to the diversity of client portfolios. These include:

• Diversified Portfolios: Spreading investments across various asset classes.
• risk-Based Investing: Tailoring investment approaches based on individual risk tolerance.
• Alternative Investments: Including non-traditional assets to diversify portfolios.

These strategies are continuously evaluated and adjusted to align with market conditions and clients’ ever-evolving financial goals.

The Future outlook of Merit Financial Advisors

Merit Financial Advisors is poised for continued growth. The firm’s strategic direction of acquisition remains a core driver. The mergers & acquisitions process looks set to continue.By focusing on strategic investments and client-centric services, Merit Financial Advisors is positioning itself for success in the future.

Future Progress and Expansion Plans

The ongoing investment in technology, talent, and client relationships will be crucial. merit’s focus on providing the best financial advice is paramount. Internal enhancements will better position them to assist their clients.

Merit Financial Advisors seeks to:

• Extend its geographic reach.
• Attract experienced wealth management professionals.
• Enhance its technological capabilities.

These strategic initiatives will continue to boost the firm’s value proposition.