Focus Financial Partners

The Colony Group and XML Financial Group are set to bring on an RIA and a wealth management practice, respectively, in the third quarter of 2021. Focus also announced that Sonora Investment Management will join as a partner firm.

The two announcements hours apart came after at least 33 firms with $1 billion or more in client assets changed hands in the first quarter.

The RIA completed seven transactions in the first quarter, along with starting a new international venture in partnership with the billionaire Hinduja family.

Beryllus Capital will provide investment management, banking and real estate advice.

Though interest rates remain low, the partnership gives advisors specialized deposit accounts and lending opportunities tailored to wealthy clients.

Private equity points to the birth of the advisor independence movement as proof they’re in it for the long haul.

The RIA’s revenues blow past $1 billion, but industry observers note fierce competition among rival buyers.

Successful deals are generating a high degree of confidence in the M&A market.

The RIA holding company reports a 30% rise in revenues and 30 M&A deals.

Genstar puts consolidator Mercer Advisors up for sale.

The aggregator introduces banking services and says it will continue to acquire new firms.

With an eye on a future sale, the $48B RIA wants to build enterprise value.

The large aggregator faces questions about its future.

Strategic buyers have less cash but more flexibility, experts say.

Still, advisors thinking of selling are urged not to procrastinate.

The aggregator nears $1 billion in revenue.

Concerns mount about the aggregator counting tuck-ins as organic growth.

The following 17 teams oversaw about $75 billion in assets. The firms ending the year with prize recruits include a diverse cast: regional BDs, wirehouses, boutiques and RIAs.

The New York aggregator’s performance to date “will make it easier for other RIAs to go public,” says industry analyst Chip Roame.

Aggregator adds a $17B TAMP as Buckingham buys Loring Ward.