In the News

Accolades

Forbes Top RIA Firms 2022

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2022.

2022 RIA Intel Awards

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

Georgia Fast 40

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2019 and 2022

2022 Forbs Best-In-State Wealth Advisors

Received by: Rick Kent (GA), Kay Lynn Mayhue (GA), Lori Price (CT), and Peter Tedstrom (CO)

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 | 2023 | For Advisors

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in
2018 - 2023(6 consecutive years)

Inc. 5000 American's Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

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)

FT Top Financial Advisors

Received by: Merit Financial Advisors in 2020

News

  • GO Banking Rates | 03/22/2023 | I’m a Wealth Manager Who Thinks Every Woman Should Invest — Here’s Why

    Emily Boothroyd, JD, CFP®, CPWA®, Wealth Manager & Partner at Merit Financial Advisors, shares why it's important for women to invest.

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  • MarketWatch | 02/09/2023 | Here’s What to Do With This Year’s Tax Refund

    Robert Alexandrovic, CFP®, CFA, Managing Partner at Merit Financial Advisors, shares why you should consider I-bonds or Treasury bonds in 2023.

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  • Business Insider | 01/30/2023 | 3 Places You Can Put Your Retirement Money During a Recession

    Alex Alba, Wealth Manager at Merit Financial Advisors, sits down with Business Insider to discuss the three places you can put your retirement money during a recession.

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  • The Balance | 01/18/2023 | How To Recession-Proof Your Savings

    Caleb Tucker, CFA, Director of Portfolio Strategy at Merit Financial Advisors, discusses emergency savings.

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  • Merit Financial Advisors | 01/06/2023 | Merit Financial Advisors Partners with Financial Design Group to Expand Presence in Pacific Northwest

    Financial Design Group, Inc., based in Des Moines, WA, expands Merit’s presence in the Pacific Northwest.

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  • MarketWatch | 12/22/2022 | How Investors Should Think About Equities, Fixed Income and Real Estate in 2023

    Caleb Tucker, Director of Portfolio Strategies at Merit Financial Advisors, shares his thoughts.

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  • BankRate | 11/16/2022 | 60-Day Rollover Rule: What Retirement Investors Need to Know

    Scott Meyer shares his insights.

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  • Merit Financial Advisors | 11/16/2022 | Merit Financial Advisors Partners with Allegiance Retirement Solutions, Adding Fifth Georgia Office

    Allegiance, based in Lawrenceville, GA, expands Merit’s presence in the state becoming Merit’s fifth Georgia location.

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  • Forbes | 12/12/2022 | How To Use An RMD To Rebalance Your Retirement Account

    Kate Redden shares her thoughts in this recent article.

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  • BankRate | 11/8/2022 | 2022 Midterm Elections and Your Retirement

    Joe Cilley comments on "the most important change on the horizon for retirees."

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  • Merit Financial Advisors | 11/1/2022 | Investment Adviser Representative David Elder Sr. Joins Merit Financial Advisors

    David will join Merit as a Wealth Manager, and Merit will work with David to provide back-office support and an expanded service offering.

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  • CityWire | 10/04/2022 | Merit buys $683m Seattle-area RIA

    The acquisition of Triad Financial Strategies, based in suburban Seattle, closed on Friday.

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  • D Magazine | 09/07/2022 | Kyle Shores, Blaine Malcolm, and Zac Beckerley were featured in the September Issue

    The Dallas, Texas Wealth Managers discuss preparing for retirement in an uncertain economy.

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  • FA Magazine | 09/01/2022 | Merit Financial Acquires Two Conn. Firms With $277M In AUM

    Merit Financial Advisors today announced that it has expanded its presence in Connecticut with the acquisition of two teams with a combined total of $277 million in client assets.

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  • WealthManagement.com | 08/25/2022 | Merit Gains New DC Division With Mersberger Deal

    The acquisition adds $830 million in AUM and a new retirement plan division with $489 million in AUA.

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  • Inc 5000 | 08/16/2022 | Merit recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America 

    For the third year in a row, Merit Financial Advisors is on the Inc 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

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  • Barron's | 07/23/2022 | Steven Denton discusses RMDs in Retirement

    Steven answers your questions about RMDs.

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  • GOBankingRate | 06/27/2022 | Scott Meyer discusses social security

    Scott discusses social security for Millennials and what they can control.

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  • BankRate | 06/27/2022 | Caleb Tucker featured on BankRate

    Caleb gives insight into the key differences between direct listings and IPOs.

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  • The Denver Channel | 06/22/2022 | Peter Tedstrom features his insight on retirement savings

    Peter provides insight into how these factors could potentially lead to a recession.

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  • TD Ameritrade | 06/02/2022 | Caleb Tucker appeared on TD Ameritrade to discuss current economic trends

    Caleb discussed current economic trends, like inflation, and our outlook for the rest of the year.

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  • BET | 06/01/2022 | Renora Nelson discusses how to build wealth while traveling with family.

    Renora advises a well-known travel influencer on tax planning, estate planning, cash flow, and risk management.

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  • Merit Financial Advisors | 06/01/2022 | Merit Adds Fourth Office in Georgia with Acquisition of Dasher & Padgett Financial Advisors, Inc.

    The firm, which has an office in Albany, Georgia, expands Merit’s presence in the region with its fourth Georgia location. The acquisition increases Merit’s assets by $118 million.

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  • Barron's | 05/22/2022 | Brian Martin answers two readers' questions about spousal benefits and federal pension offsets.

    Brian Martin, Wealth Manager at Merit Financial Advisors, discusses spousal benefits and federal pension offsets.

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  • Yahoo! Finance | 05/10/2022 | Kate Redden discusses her belief that money is simply a tool to reach your goals

    Kate Redden, CFP®, ChFC®, CKA®, Managing Partner at Merit Financial Advisors, discusses her belief that money, and the accumulation of money, should not be the goal in itself.

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  • Investment News | 05/09/2022 | Merit Financial Advisors’ Latest Deal Establishes Presence in Oklahoma

    The acquisition of $370 million Union Financial Advisors, based in Tulsa, marks Merit's sixth deal since taking private equity capital two years ago.

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  • Kiplinger | 05/01/2022 | Renora Nelson discusses the 5 Critical Steps to Help Women Financially Prepare for Divorce

    Reflect and take action. Open your own bank accounts. Begin building your credit. Get frugal. Practice independence.

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  • U.S. News | 04/07/2022 | Renora Nelson shared tips on how to write a budget or spending plan

    Renora Nelson, Wealth Manager at Merit Financial Advisors, shared tips on how to write a budget or spending plan in a recent article, “15 Steps to Achieve Financial Freedom”.

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  • CityWireUSA.com | 04/06/2022 | Merit Scores $380m Double Acquisition in Colorado

    Merit has acquired Tedstrom Wealth Advisors and I.M. Wealth Care, both in the Denver metro area.

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  • TD Ameritrade Network | 03/18/2022 | Caleb Tucker on the Increasing Dispersion of Rate Projections for this Year

    Caleb Tucker, Director of Portfolio Strategy, weighs in on the increasing dispersion of rate projections for this year and states that European equities may eventually be an opportunity for investors.

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  • FA-Mag.com | 03/17/2022 | Kay Lynn Mayhue on Ways to Attract More Women to Your Practice

    Merit President, Kay Lynn Mayhue, shares practical and profitable ways to attract more women to your financial advising practice. 

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  • Bank Rate | 03/09/2022 | Caleb Tucker on the Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Investments

    Caleb Tucker, Director of Portfolio Strategy, comments on the impact of rising interest rates on stocks, crypto, and other investments. 

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  • WealthManagement.com | 03/04/2022 | Kay Lynn Mayhue on Plotting and Aggressive Growth Trajectory

    Merit president, Kay Lynn Mayhue, discusses Merit's aggressive growth and the firm's multimillion-dollar investment in technology. 

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  • Investment News | 02/25/2022 | Rick Kent Gives 5 Essentials to Secure the Best Valuation for Your Firm 

    Merit Founder & CEO, Rick Kent, gives 5 essentials that every seller should institute to secure the best valuation of their firm.  

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  • GoBankingRates | 02/24/2022 | Sean Moore Shares Insight on How to Become A Millionaire in Ten Years or Less

    Sean Moore, Wealth Manager, provides expert tips on how to become a millionaire by saving as much as you can, while you can. 

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  • GoBankingRates | 02/22/2022 | Renora Nelson Discusses 5 Financial Habits Every Woman Should Pick Up  

    Renora Nelson, Wealth Manager, discusses 5 easy habits all women should pick up to benefit current and future finances. 

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  • HerMoney | 02/14/2022 | Emily Boothroyd Explains 4 Ways Companies are Passing Along Inflation Costs  

    Emily Boothroyd, Wealth Advisor and Partner, explains how companies are passing on inflation costs to consumers, and how to mitigate the increase in price. 

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  • InvestmentNews | 02/07/2022 | Merit has been named a Best Places to Work For Financial Advisors for the fifth year in a row 

    For the fifth consecutive year, Merit has been recognized by InvestmentsNews as one of the best places to work for financial advisors. 

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  • RIA Edge | 01/12/2022 | Merit's Kay Lynn Mayhue on Building A National Wealth Management Firm

    Merit president, Kay Lynn Mayhue, provides a look at the firm's recent acquisitions and future growth strategy. 

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  • City Wire USA | 01/10/2022 | Merit Pulls Off $2bn Double Deal as it Eyes Big 2022 Growth

    Merit Financial Advisors completes merger with Biltmore Capital Advisors and Stone Creek Capital Management, enhancing presence in South Florida and New Jersey.

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  • Business Insider | 12/28/2021 | David Elder speaks about making financial decisions based on your tax bracket

    David Elder, Wealth Manager and Partner, spoke with Business Insider about the importance of knowing your tax bracket and how it can influence financial planning decisions.

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  • GoBankingRates | 12/10/2021 | Carly Hensley explains 6 ways women can invest in themselves

    Carly Hensley, Wealth Manager and Partner, recently spoke with GoBankingRates to discuss the importance of women investing their time and funds wisely. 

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  • CNBC | 11/23/2021 | Scott Meyer discusses what the 4% rule is and how can it help you save for retirement

    Scott Meyer, Wealth Manager and Partner, says this simple rule can be a good way to start thinking about your retirement goals.

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  • Investor's Business Daily | 10/01/2021 | Andy Lubben speaks about the importance of making sure a client understands the investing process and makeup of their portfolio.

    Andy Lubben, CFP®, Regional Director and Partner, recently spoke with Investor's Business Daily about the importance of making sure a client understands the investing process and makeup of their portfolio.

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  • InvestmentNews | 09/01/2021 | Kay Lynn Mayhue Discusses Four Key Olympic Lessons for Advisors

    Each of these moments, and the countless others that made the Tokyo Olympics so memorable, provide important learning opportunities across disciplines, including for those of us in the financial services space. Here are the top four lessons I walked away with and will strive to instill in my team.

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  • Inc. Magazine | 08/17/2021 | Merit Financial Advisors recognized on Inc. 5000 Top Growing Companies

    Merit Financial Advisors is thrilled to have earned a place on the Inc. 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies list for the 2021 award year. The list is a round-up of the top private companies in the country that have successfully achieved growth in the last several years.

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  • Rethinking65 | 08/04/2021 | Zac Beckerley discusses C-Suite Executive Retirement Plans

    Zac Beckerley, Wealth Manager here at Merit, was recently featured by Rethinking65 discussing the top takeaways for advisors when working with this group.

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  • Business Wire | 08/02/2021 | Merit Financial Advisors has purchased Consilium Financial

    $5.6bn Private Equity-backed hybrid buys Atlanta practice. Merit Financial Advisors, an affiliate of Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC, has purchased $291m Consilium Financial.

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As Seen In

*Merit is not affiliated with LPL Financial as the article states. Merit and LPL Financial are separate entities.

**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.

The Forbes ranking of America’s Top RIA Firms, 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. 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 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, 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.

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.