Take Your Advisory Firm to the Next Level.
Our team is here to serve as your professional partner on your path to growth. We are your back office support with the tools and resources to help you build revenues, expand your practice, and grow as professional. At Merit, we believe we are Stronger Together.
Why Join Merit?
Merit Financial Advisors is a national wealth management firm with $12.27 billion* in assets that supports advisors affiliated with independent broker-dealers, as well as those who are registered investment advisors. Our team exists to enrich the lives of those we serve.
Our mission is focused on revolutionizing the client experience by building the RIA of the future. We aim to support clients in exceeding their financial goals and supporting advisors in evolving and expanding their businesses. Our goal is to provide our advisors and offices with practice management resources, a technology platform, operational support, and investment experience to help drive growth and deliver a more positive client experience.
Our vision is to build a growth-focused enterprise for our team that offers best-in-class investing and planning solutions for our clients now, and for generations to come.
Acquisitions
36
Locations
43
AUM
$12.27 Billion*
Advisors
100+
*$9.9 billion in advisory, $2.05 billion in brokerage assets, and $332 million in assets under advisement. As of December 31, 2024.
We Offer Full Service Support
We work with you and your team to make sure your transition is seamless. We take many carefully crafted steps to prepare, plan and execute the transition to make it as smooth as possible for you and your clients. Our process includes:
- Discovery: we take time to understand your staff and your culture
- Assessment: we review your book of client base and business practices
- Planning: we work with you to identify opportunities and challenges, as well as assign roles and responsibilities based on those.
- Implementation: we plan and execute complete support through client communication, consent, and repapering processes
- Go Live: we provide and oversee employee training, system conversion, and portfolio management implementation
What Our Partners Are Saying
About Merit
The Merit team serves as a professional partner on your path to growth. Merit works with advisors equipping them with the tools and resources needed to build revenues, expand your practice and grow as a professional.
Our firm is led by seasoned advisors who have a deep understanding of the needs and goals of successful financial practitioners. Our team includes experienced professionals across disciplines, including in-house investment management and strategy, comprehensive financial planning and life transition support, wealth management insights, operations, and human resources support. Our partners have achieved exponential growth in their practices as they leverage our industry experience, and resources.
Merit fosters a relationship-based culture that is built on integrity and respect – among our colleagues, with clients, and within our community. Our mission is anchored by several key principles, including humility, flexibility, and objective and goals-based advice.
- Merit is committed to elevating and supporting diverse voices, experience, and expertise across the firm. As an example, over fifty-three percent of Merit’s staff is female and the firm has completed 4 acquisitions of female-founded firms since 2017.
- Merit upholds a team-based approach that facilitates leadership and collaboration across the group for the collective benefit of the team and our clients.
- Merit is focused on empowering growth and advancement among our advisors. We believe we are Stronger Together.
Accolades
Ready to discuss your future?
Schedule a confidential meeting with a member of our Executive Leadership today.
Hear From Our Founder
Maximize Your Valuation
Financial Advisor Resources
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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.***