Your Firm & Merit: Stronger Together
Want to achieve sustainable growth without giving up control over what makes your business yours? Merit serves as a true partner for advisors affiliated with independent broker-dealers, as well as those who are registered investment advisors. Our model balances scale support and shared success, empowering advisors to evolve while preserving independence.
Our Financial Solutions
Financial Planning
We create personalized financial plans that adapt to your life’s twists and turns. By understanding your unique needs, we help you make smart decisions that support your goals now and in the future.
Wealth Management
Our wealth management strategies are all about growing and protecting your assets. We’ll work together to build a plan that makes sense for you, so you can confidently navigate the ups and downs of the market.
Estate Planning
We will help you create a plan that ensures your wealth is passed on the way you want, while minimizing taxes. It's all about preserving your legacy and taking care of those you love.
Insurance Planning
Life happens—our insurance planning services help protect what matters most. We’ll find the right solutions to safeguard your assets and provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Retirement Planning
Let's map out your retirement together. We will design a plan to help you enjoy your future with financial security, so you can focus on living comfortably without worry.
Trust Management
We take care of the details so your wealth is managed and distributed according to your wishes. Our trust management services focus on balancing tax savings with long-term goals.
Full Service Support. A Culture That Fits.
Merit partners with independent RIAs and hybrid advisors who want to grow without giving up what makes their business their own. This is not a roll-up model. It is a partnership designed to preserve autonomy while creating shared value.
Acquisitions
50
Locations
55+
AUM
$24.69 Billion*
Advisors
150+
*$17.86B in advisory, $2.73B in brokerage assets, $2.3B in retirement plans, $1.8B in ESOP. As of January 1, 2026.
How We Work
A partnership with Merit helps advisors access to the scale, infrastructure, and industry-leading tech platforms needed to accelerate growth and operate more efficiently. Our model is built on shared ownership, aligning long-term incentives and creating meaningful participation in the success of the broader firm.
Advisor-First Partnerships. Full Service Support.
Financial Advisor Resources
Success Stories
Seeking growth without a clear path forward. Bogged down in back-office tasks. Unsure of wht their firm’s future holds. Hear from advisors who overcame their challenges and benefited from greater support and a plan to reach their long-term goals.
What Our Partners Are Saying
Trusted by Advisors Nationwide
$19.94 Billion* in Assets Served
*$14.06 billion in advisory, $2.6 billion in brokerage assets, $3.28 billion in retirement plan and ESOP assets. As of June 30, 2025.
26,000+ Households Served Nationwide
48 Offices Across the Country
300+ Team Members
Schedule a Confidential Call
Contact us today or fill out the form below to schedule a confidential consultation with a member of our Executive Leadership team.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 05/05/2026 Merit Approves Advisor360° as Supported Technology Platform, Expanding Advisor Choice and Enhancing Client Experience
Merit a national wealth management firm supporting both the independent broker-dealer and RIA models, and Advisor360°TM, the only connected platform built around the complete advisor workday, announced that Advisor360° has been approved as a supported technology platform for Merit advisors. The addition of Advisor360° to Merit’s technology ecosystem reflects the firm’s commitment to giving advisors meaningful choice in how they run their practices and deliver exceptional service to their clients. -
Merit Financial Advisors | 03/27/2026 Merit Acquires Strategic Retirement Plans, Expands Presence in Montana and Wyoming
Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Strategic Retirement Plans, an independent wealth management firm based in Montana and Wyoming that serves about 800 households. SRP manages approximately $586 million in client assets, including $582 million under management and $4 million in retirement plan assets under advisement. -
MarketWatch | 12/8/2025 Your estate plan needs to be absolutely airtight. Here’s how to avoid mistakes.
Merit's Emily Boothroyd, wealth manager and partner in Wilton, CT, begins by asking a client, “What are the family issues and concerns?” From there, she ensures the estate-planning documents tackle these priorities head-on to reflect the client’s wishes.
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Barrons.com | 11/21/2025 Merit Financial Advisors Picks Up Former Commonwealth Team With $1.2 Billion in Illinois
Merit Financial Advisors says it has acquired Blueprint Wealth Advisors, a team of advisors previously with Commonwealth Financial Network and which has $1.2 billion in client assets.
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WealthManagement.com | 11/06/2025 Merit Buys $715M Wisconsin Firm in Wake of Constellation Stake
Merit Financial’s latest addition is a Wisconsin-based firm managing $715 million in assets. The deal to buy Mennenga Tax & Financial comes on the heels of Constellation Wealth Capital’s minority stake in the Georgia-based firm announced this summer.
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AdvisorHub | 09/23/2025 Merit Named One of AdvisorHub's RIA Firms to Watch in 2026
Merit Financial Advisors has emerged as one of the fastest-growing independent wealth management firms in the country, fueled by an aggressive mix of acquisitions, organic expansion, and strategic partnerships.
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CityWire | 08/19/2025 Merit Announces Strategic Partnership with $860m ex-Commonwealth practice
Global Wealth Advisors (GWA), a Lewisville, Texas-based RIA, joins Merit overseeing roughly $860m in client assets. The 16-person GWA team that joined Merit was led by firm president Kris Maksimovich and managing partner Chris Powers, who are now both regional directors and partners at Merit.
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PR Newswire | 08/08/2025 Merit Announces Strategic Partnership with Second Half Financial Partners, LLC First Responders Division expanding presence in Florida
The acquisition marks Merit's fifth office in Florida, adding $225 million in assets. Based in Sebring, this specialized team offers investment and retirement strategies focused on Florida's first responders, specifically firefighters and law enforcement professionals.
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PR Newswire | 06/26/2025 Merit Financial Advisors Partners with AMP Wealth Management and Expands Its Midwest Footprint
This strategic partnership strengthens our presence in the Midwest with our seventh office in Wisconsin. But more importantly, it reflects our shared values: delivering personalized, high-impact financial guidance for those navigating life transitions and building wealth with purpose.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 06/13/2025 Merit Expands Pacific Northwest Presence Through Partnership with Olympic Wealth Management
This acquisition strengthens Merit’s footprint in the Pacific Northwest, adding a fifth office in Washington and increasing its assets by $204 million. Based in Bothell, Washington, Olympic Wealth specializes in investment and retirement planning, with a focus on serving clients in the local Seattle-Tacoma aerospace market, particularly Boeing employees and retirees.
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PR Newswire | 06/03/2025 Merit Partners with RCM Investments and Opens First Office in Utah
This acquisition marks Merit Financial Advisors' first office in Utah, expanding its national footprint and adding $281 million in assets.
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CityWire | 04/25/2025 $12bn Merit acquires $597m YouTube-famous RIA
Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Safeguard Wealth Management, a $597m RIA with a unique niche — YouTube. Led by co-founders Eric Sajdak and Anthony Hellenbrand, Safeguard runs a YouTube channel of the same name with more than 67,000 subscribers.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 04/11/2025 Partners with Bill Spalding Wealth Management
Merit announced today it has acquired Bill Spalding Wealth Management (“Spalding Wealth”). This acquisition will add $119 million in assets. Spalding Wealth specializes in investment management with a specific focus on independent unbiased advice for his investors.
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PR Newswire | 03/18/2025 Partners with Sanctuary Wealth Management and Fiduciary Services; Adds First Office in Idaho
Merit announced today it has acquired Sanctuary Wealth Management, LLC ("Sanctuary") and Fiduciary Services, LLC ("FS"). This acquisition will enable Merit to establish a presence in Idaho and grow its assets collectively by $1.6 billion.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 01/24/2025 Partners with Pillar Wealth Management Co., Adding Two New Offices in Wisconsin
Merit announced today it has acquired Pillar Wealth Management Co. (“Pillar”). This acquisition will expand Merit’s presence by establishing two new offices in Wisconsin, located in Madison and Dodgeville, while adding $179 million in assets.
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Three Rivers Bank of Montana | 01/06/2025 Announces Strategic Alliance with Merit Financial Advisors to Launch Wealth Management Division
Three Rivers Bank of Montana is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Merit Financial Advisors, a nationally recognized wealth management firm, to expand its financial service offerings. This partnership will enable the bank to provide comprehensive wealth management services to clients in the Flathead Valley, helping individuals, families, and businesses strategize their growth, and preserving their financial assets.
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GOBankingRates | 12/14/2024 Roth vs. Traditional, 401(k) vs. IRA: The Best Account To Use at Every Age
Merit wealth manager and partner, Scott Meyer shares his insights about Roth, traditional, 401(k), IRAs accounts and the best account to use at every stage of your life.
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PR Newswire | 12/10/2024 Merit Financial Advisors Joins Forces with Trinity Financial Partners to Expand its presence in Pennsylvania.
Merit Financial Advisors, a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families and those navigating life transitions, announced today that Trinity Financial Partners ("Trinity") merged with Merit. The merger marks Merit's third office in Pennsylvania and increases the firm's assets by $603 million.
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FinancialPlanning | 11/19/2024 How consolidation is testing fiduciary duty in RIAs.
Merit President, Kay Lynn Mayhue, shares how Merit's strategic growth through 28 acquisitions has doubled client assets to $13 billion while delivering significant benefits, including fee savings, enhanced technology, and expanded services.
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InvestmentNews | 11/05/2024 Make client problems your problems, Merit Financial Advisors CEO says.
Merit Founder and CEO, Rick Kent, says he has prioritized scalable growth, advanced client relationships, and the use of technology, helping to make Merit a significant player in the industry.
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Financial Planning | 11/05/2024 The Ladder: Kay Lynn Mayhue on having the guts to change paths.
Merit President, Kay Lynn Mayhue, reflects on the shift from her initial client-facing business development role to a dynamic leadership position.
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GoBankingRates | 10/12/2024 Navigating Financial Planning During Major Life Changes.
Merit wealth manager, Sydney Thompson, CFP®, shares her approach to navigating financial planning during major life transitions.
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Barron's | 10/05/2024 A Spouse's Death Brings a Financial Jolt. How to Prepare.
Merit wealth manager, Hollis Hardiman, shares her insights on managing the financial impacts of losing a spouse, preparing for rising healthcare costs, changes in Medicare premiums, and other potential challenges.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 08/19/2024 Merit Partners with Kizer and Associates to Expand Presence in Midwest.
Merit announced today it has acquired Kizer & Associates (“Kizer”). The firm, based in Barrington, IL, will establish Merit’s first Illinois office and increase Merit’s assets by $180 million.
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WealthManagement.com | 08/16/2024 Chief Investment Officer, Brian Andrew, featured in 2024 Mid-Year Outlook.
Merit CIO, Brian Andrew, CFA®, discusses our approach to managing market uncertainties by running scenario analyses, which help us assess potential outcomes and their impact on portfolios.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 07/31/2024 Merit Partners with Westfield Financial Planning to Expand Presence in New Jersey.
Merit announced today it has acquired Westfield Financial Planning (“Westfield”). The firm, based in Westfield, New Jersey, expands Merit’s existing presence in the region and increases Merit’s assets by $207 million.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 03/27/2024 Merit Partners with Access Investment Advisors to Expand Presence in Wisconsin.
Merit announced today it has acquired Access Investment Advisors (“AIA”). The firm, based in Manitowoc, WI, will expand Merit’s existing presence in the region and increase Merit’s assets by $213 million.
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WealthManagement.com | 03/13/2024 Merit Financial Advisors Buys $542 Million AUM Viren & Associates.
Previously affiliated with Mariner’s independent advisor platform, the Washington state firm brings 401(k), estate planning and insurance talent to Merit.
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PR Newswire | 03/06/2024 Merit Financial Advisors Announces Strategic Collaboration with the Pioneers Volunteer Network.
Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), announced today a strategic national collaboration with the Pioneers Volunteer Network, a network of more than 465,000 volunteers in Canada and the US who effect immediate, tangible change in local communities.
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PR Newswire | 02/22/2024 Merit Financial Advisors Introduces Merit Amplify, Private Equity Uncovers the Money in Money Management.
Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), a national wealth management firm with over $10 billion in assets under management, today announced the launch of its new Advisor Affiliation Model, Merit Amplify.
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Middle Market Growth | 02/06/2024 Private Equity Uncovers the Money in Money Management.
Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit Financial Advisors, shares the shift in the industry over the last ten years and the interest that PE firms are now showing in wealth management firms.
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GoBanking Rates | 01/16/2024 Retirement Spending 2024: Is the 4% Rule Still the Best Guide.
Scott Meyer, Merit Financial Advisors, speaks to the importance of working backward to figure out what you need to save for retirement.
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PR Newswire | 01/12/2024 Merit Financial Advisors Hire Brian Andrew as Chief Investment Officer.
Merit announced today that it has hired Brian Andrew as Chief Investment Officer ("CIO").
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U.S News | 12/28/2023 | Should You Include Your Home in Your Net Worth?
Baylee Bryant, Merit Financial Advisors, shares insight into what makes up your net worth.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 12/20/2023 | Merit Financial Advisors Partners with EJS Wealth Management to Expand Presence in Colorado.
Merit Financial Advisors announced today it has acquired EJS Wealth Management, LLC (“EJS”). The firm, based in Colorado Springs, CO, will expand Merit’s existing presence in the region and increase Merit’s assets by $64 Million.
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GO BankingRates | 12/18/2023 | Charitable Giving: 5 Strategies to Consider That Do Good and Make the Most Financial Sense.
Merit Financial Advisors recommends visiting the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org site, which lets individuals independently research 501(c)(3)s to determine their operating status and more.**
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CBS MoneyWatch | 12/18/2023 | Should you move all of your money to a short-term CD?
Mark Fried, Merit Financial Advisors, shares that opting for a 1-year CD may provide optimal return on investment.***