Accolades
Received by Merit Financial Advisors in 2025.
Received by Merit Financial Advisors in 2024.
Received by: Merit Financial Advisors 2023-2025.
Received by: Merit Financial Advisors 2022-2025.
Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2023.
Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2019 - 2026 (8-consecutive years)
Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2021
Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2018 - 2024 (7 consecutive years)
News
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Merit Financial advisors | 08/12/2026 Merit Financial Advisors Acquires $900M Commonwealth Team
Merit Financial Advisors, an Alpharetta, Ga.-based hybrid registered investment advisor overseeing $30.1 billion in client assets, has added another former Commonwealth Financial Network team since the LPL Financial acquisition, with a Southern California firm overseeing about $900 million in client assets.
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Merit Financial advisors | 07/28/2026 Merit Buys Md. Advisory Firm Towson Wealth, Adding $502M In Assets
Merit Financial Advisors, an Atlanta-based RIA with about $26 billion in client assets, has acquired Towson Wealth Management, a Towson, Md.-based wealth management firm that oversees about $502.5 million in total assets.
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The Daily Upside | 07/16/2026 Prenups Are on the Rise: Here’s How to Talk About Them With Clients
Merit's Baylee Bryant, wealth manager, partner in Tacoma, WA was quoted in the article about how with more than half of married or engaged couples under 45 signing prenups, advisors can help clients start their marriage on solid financial footing.
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MoneyLion.com | 07/14/2026 Upper Class’ vs. ‘Wealthy’: 5 Signals That Matter More Than Income in 2026
Merit's Nikki Smith, wealth manager in Houston, TX was quoted in the article about how the designations of “upper class” or “wealthy,” might be titles many Americans aspire to. But what’s the difference between the two terms? It’s not just a matter of your annual income, according to experts.
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Barrons.com | 07/08/2026 Landing High Yields and Tax Benefits in an Overlooked Corner of Income
Merit's Tim Ralph, wealth manager and managing partner in Jupiter, FL, was quoted in the article about how some investors are turning to preferred-stock funds, which offer better relative yield in an otherwise tight fixed-income market.
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FinancialPlanning | 07/07/2026 68% of clients would switch advisors for one who offers estate planning
Merit's Emily Boothroyd, wealth manager and partner in Wilton, CT, was quoted in the article about how nearly half of Americans are motivated by fear to make sure their financial affairs are in order. But rather than turn to an estate planning attorney, they want to work on their plans with their financial advisors. That makes the service near table stakes for advisors these days.
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FinancialPlanning | 05/28/2026 No more bad bosses: How training programs can address the leadership gap
Merit's Alexander W. Hansen, JD, AIF® in Alpharetta, GA, was quoted in the article about how the importance of leadership development and why firms need to better prepare advisors stepping into management roles. In the article, Alex shares how investing in leadership training helps advisors feel more confident, supported, and prepared for long-term growth within their careers.
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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. -
TheStreet | 04/20/2026 Divorce can devastate retirement savings; can a QDRO help?
Merit's Hollis Hardiman, wealth manager and partner in Florida, was featured in an article examining the financial impact of gray divorce. The article highlights how the division of retirement accounts, healthcare considerations, and other hidden costs can significantly affect long-term financial security for couples divorcing later in life.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 04/07/2026 Merit Buys Former Commonwealth Firm As LPL Conversion Deadline Approaches
Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Billings, Mont.-based Strategic Retirement Plans (SRP), an independent financial advisory firm managing about $590 million in assets for 800 families that was previously affiliated with Commonwealth.
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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. -
Investopedia| 03/20/2026 Home-Related Tax Breaks Retirees Often Miss
Merit's Daniel Estrada, wealth manager in Diamond Bar, CA, was featured in an article discussing tax benefits that retirees may overlook. The piece emphasizes that homeownership can continue to provide valuable federal tax advantages in retirement, despite common misconceptions to the contrary. -
ThePurse | 03/17/2026 Ask an Expert: Should I raid my retirement account to pay off my rental property?
Merit's Baylee Bryant wealth manger, Tacoma, WA, was quoted in the article about shares insight on navigating uncertainty and why stepping back is critical before making major financial moves. In the feature, she addresses a common question around using retirement funds to pay off debt and reinforces the importance of thoughtful, long-term decision-making.
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GoBankingRates | 03/15/2026 Tax Pros Warn of 4 Common Strategies That Can Trigger Costly Mistakes
Merit's Tony Pitzer, wealth manger, Southlake, TX, was quoted in the article there’s no gain, no tax due but also no profit,” Pitzer said. “You are better off to pay taxes on gains and walk away … Taxes should never be the sole reason to hold or sell an investment. Investment decisions should lead and tax consequences should follow.” -
MarketWatch | 03/14/2026 Filing taxes is painful enough without worrying that your accountant is judging you
Merit's Kat Grier wealth manger, partner, Alpharetta, GA, was quoted in the article about how talking about money makes many people uncomfortable. After all, you probably don’t go around telling everyone what you earn and how much you’re worth.
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Merit Financial Advisors | 03/11/2026 Merit Acquires Yeomans Consulting Group
Atlanta-based Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Yeomans Consulting Group, a father-son ledGeorgia wealth management firm, adding about $434 million in assets under management. -
Barrons.com | 02/28/2026 Your Trust Is Out of Date. How to Fix It.
Merit's Emily Boothroyd, wealth manger, partner in Wilton, CT, was quoted in the article discussing why now may be the time to revisit older trust structures in light of higher estate tax exemptions. With today's rules, some legacy A/B trusts may create unnecessary income tax and capital gains consequences that no longer serve their original purpose. -
Business Insider | 01/22/2026 Wall Streeters reveal their favorite AI tools and what they use them for
Dave Elder, wealth manager and partner at Merit Financial Advisors in Alpharetta, GA, was featured in the article, which explores the growing debate around AI's effect on the white-collar workforce. While AI has useful applications, industry professionals note that it is not yet capable of replacing the relationship-driven and strategic work at the heart of the financial services industry. -
Merit Financial Advisors | 01/20/2026 Merit Acquires wealth team from SSC CPAs + Advisors
Merit has acquired SSC Wealth, the $260 million financial advice team of SSC CPAs + Advisors, a Topeka, Kan.-based accounting firm. That deal will see four advisors join Merit, including Bert Falley and Michele Hammann, the latter of whom will become a regional vice president and partner at Merit while continuing in a role as chief strategy officer of SSC CPA + Advisors.
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