In the News

Accolades

investmentnews ria of the year

Received by Merit Financial Advisors in 2024.

copy of website awards

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2024 and 2023.

best in state top women 2024

Received by Emily Boothroyd, (CT), and Kay Lynn Mayhue, (GA)

2022 forbes best in state wa

Received by Kay Lynn Mayhue, (GA), Tait Lane, (WA), and Zach Mersberger, (WI)

copy of website awards (1)

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2024, 2023, and 2022.

investment news top advisors 2024

Received by: Timothy Ralph, (NJ), Emily Boothroyd, (CT)

Barron's 2023 Top Private Wealth Teams

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2023.

2023 Forbes Best-In-State-Wealth Advisors

Received by: Rick Kent (GA), Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA), Lori Price (CT), and Tait Lane (WA).

2022 RIA Intel Awards

RIA of the Year $1billion +
Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2022.

Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors | Best-In-State 2023

Received by: Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA)

2022 Forbs Top Women Wealth Advisors

Received by: Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA)

2022 Forbs Top WOmen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State

Received by: Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA) and Lori Price (CT)

investment news best places to work 2024

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2018 - 2024 (7 consecutive years)

Georgia Fast 40

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2019, 2022, and 2023.

Inc. 5000 American's Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2019 - 2024 (6 consecutive years)

Financial Firm Women's Choice Award 2022

Received by: Emily Boothroyd

2021 Barron's Top Private Wealth Management Teams

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2021

2021 Forbs Best-In-State Wealth Advisors

Received by: Rick Kent (GA) and Lori Price (CT)

2021 Forbs Top Women Wealth Advisors

Received by: Lori Price (CT)

News

  • 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.***

    Read More


     

Archive

As Seen In

**Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

*** CDs are FDIC insured to specific limits and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity, whereas investing in securities is subject to market risk including loss of principal.​

InvestmentNews RIA Firm of the Year 2024 - The InvestmentNews Awards team will conduct research and draw on knowledge and information gained through InvestmentNews to support and supplement nominations received.

The Forbes ranking of America’s Top RIA Firms 2024, 2023, and 2022, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. The algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.

RIA Intel’s 2022 RIA of the Year - More Than $1 Billion AUM award, was based on the quantitative as well as qualitative criteria: an impressive RIA that has grown beyond a practice and into a complex business for the betterment of clients and its employees.

The Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisor program was created by WomenCertified Inc., the Voice of Women, in an effort to help women make smart financial choices. The Women’s Choice Award Financial Program is based on 17 objective criteria associated with providing quality service to women clients, such as educational and professional credentials, experience, and a favorable regulatory history, among other factors, including letters of validation and background check. Financial advisors do not pay a fee to qualify for the program. All qualified advisors are listed on womenschoiceaward.com. Once qualified, financial advisors may purchase additional marketing collateral such as seal usage, enhanced listing or promotional products. The inclusion of a financial advisor within the WCA Financial Advisor network should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial advisor by WomenCertified Inc. or its partners and affiliates and is no guarantee of quality of services provided to clients or future investment success.Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisors and Firms represent less than 1% of financial advisors in the U.S. As of December 31, 2021, of the 603 considered for the Women’s Choice Award, 221 were named Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisors/Firms.

Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors 2018, 2019 , 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024. Recognized firms were required to be a registered investment advisor (RIA) that has been in business at least one year and having a minimum of 15 full-time/part-time employees. The assessment consisted of a questionnaire on benefits and policies completed by human resources staff along with an engagement & satisfaction survey completed by a minimum of 40% of staff. 50 firms were selected for this award from an undisclosed list of submissions. There was no charge to be included in this award listing.

Barron’s 2023 and 2021 Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams, The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, their regulatory records and credentials of their members, and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services.

The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors and Top Women Wealth Advisors Best in State 2023 and 2024, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years of experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes or SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

To compile the inaugural Top Advisors list, InvestmentNews first solicited nominations from advisors, industry professionals, and clients. Only advisors nominated were eligible for the list. All information on the nominees had to be verified by their compliance team before it could be accepted. The final list was determined based on each advisor’s weighted ranking in overall AUM, AUM growth, and client growth (both between September 2022 and September 2023). The InvestmentNews team then tabulated a ranking for each advisor in each category and combined those scores to determine the advisor’s final ranking on the 2024 Top Advisors list. Timothy Ralph is solely an investment advisor representative of Merit Financial Advisors, and not affiliated with LPL Financial.

The Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index, which consists of more than 5000 companies, represents virtually all of the capitalization of the entire U.S. stock market.

2017, 2018, 2020 Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers evaluates SEC registered investment advisers that reported at least $300 million in assets under management and were selected based on the following criteria: adviser AUM, asset growth, the company’s age, industry certifications of key employees, SEC compliance record and online accessibility.

The Forbes ranking of Top 100 Independent Advisor is based on assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work.

The Georgia Fast 40 for 2022 was award by the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. To be eligible companies must be for profit and headquartered in Georgia and the most recent year-end revenues ranging from $15 million to $500 million, and have three years of verifiable revenue and employment growth.

Barron’s 2024, 2023 Top RIA Firms, Data is verified with the advisors’ firms and with regulatory databases in three major categories of calculations: Assets, revenue, and quality of practice. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services.

Merit does pay a required fee to SHOOK, Forbes, and Barron’s for the use of the award logo.