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News

  • 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.***

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