In the October 2026 edition of the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) & Broker-Dealer Roundup, FINTRX—the industry's most trusted source for AI-driven private wealth intelligence—highlights notable advisor team movements, mergers and acquisitions, and new RIA launches across the wealth management industry.
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LPL Financial has recruited Praxis Financial Partners, an Alpharetta, Georgia-based advisory practice managing approximately $1.1 billion in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets. Led by Scott Christian, Cecil Loyd, Jay Gentry, and Matt Dion, the team joins LPL's broker-dealer and corporate RIA platform after 13 years with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (FiNet). The transition includes six support staff and expands LPL's network of independent advisory practices.
Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Moldenhauer & Associates, a wealth management practice based in Orchard Park, New York, overseeing approximately $1.1 billion in client assets. Led by Brett Moldenhauer, the 12-person team serves approximately 1,900 client families and establishes Merit's first office in the greater Buffalo region. The transaction marks Merit's tenth addition from Commonwealth Financial Network following its $2.7 billion acquisition by LPL Financial.
Moldenhauer & Associates joined Merit, bringing approximately $1.1 billion in client assets and establishing the firm's first presence in Western New York.
Strong Wealth Management Group, a multigenerational advisory team managing approximately $410 million in client assets, has joined Wells Fargo Advisors from UBS. Based in Naples, Florida, with an additional office in Birmingham, Michigan, the practice is led by brothers Andrew and Jonathan Strong alongside Andrew's son, Christian Strong. The team generated approximately $3.5 million in annual revenue at UBS and specializes in investment management, retirement planning, and multigenerational wealth strategies.
The practice generated approximately $3.5 million in annual revenue at UBS before transitioning to Wells Fargo Advisors.
Andrew Strong serves as Managing Director – Investments, while Jonathan Strong serves as Senior Vice President – Investments.
The recruitment was one of two recent additions to Wells Fargo Advisors, with the teams collectively overseeing approximately $990 million in client assets.
Indivisible Partners has recruited Rosenwald Private Wealth, a Baltimore-area advisory team overseeing approximately $1.1 billion in client assets, from RBC Wealth Management. Led by Beth C. Rosenwald, Aleksandra “Leksi” Kovalerchik, and Matthew D. Kunkel, the team includes four additional professionals and joins the independent RIA platform founded by former Merrill Lynch executives. The advisors cited greater independence and flexibility in serving clients as key reasons for the transition.
Rosenwald Private Wealth's advisors previously worked together at Legg Mason before joining RBC Wealth Management in 2008.
The seven-member team joins an independent RIA platform established by former Merrill Lynch executives.
LPL Financial has recruited Seattle-based Prince Financial Services from Northwestern Mutual, adding approximately $1 billion in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets to its RIA channel. Founded by longtime Northwestern Mutual advisors Julie Prince and Dave Burnett, the practice spent nearly a year evaluating potential partners before selecting LPL for its technology capabilities, advisor support model, and investment in innovation. The addition expands LPL's presence in the Pacific Northwest.
Janney Montgomery Scott has recruited approximately $3.5 billion in client assets from Raymond James, establishing its first office in Houston, Texas. The expansion brings together the Edward Fitzpatrick Group, led by Sean Fitzpatrick and James “Jim” Edwards, and financial advisor Lance Murphy. The new location marks Janney's second Texas office following its entry into Dallas in 2025.
Captrust Financial Advisors has recruited the Hoge-Barrett Group, a Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based wealth management team overseeing more than $3 billion in client assets, from Truist Investment Services. Led by Brett Hoge and Alex Barrett, the 13-person team joins Captrust's independent RIA platform, citing greater flexibility, enhanced technology, and expanded investment research and wealth planning capabilities as key factors in the transition. The addition establishes Captrust's seventh office in North Carolina and marks its seventh acquisition of 2026.
Rockefeller Global Family Office has recruited the Kellam Group from Truist, expanding its presence in Naples, Florida. Led by Managing Director and Private Advisor Gordon Kellam, a wealth management veteran with more than 25 years of experience, the team serves high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and multigenerational families. The addition follows Rockefeller's recent opening of its first office on Florida's west coast.
Osaic has recruited ICG Next, a New Jersey-based wealth management practice overseeing approximately $2.3 billion in client assets, from LPL Financial. Led by Managing Partner James Costabile, the firm includes 21 financial advisors and 10 support staff across offices in Wall Township, New Jersey, and Melville, New York. After seven years with LPL, during which the practice tripled in size, ICG Next transitioned to Osaic to support its next phase of advisor development, recruitment, and succession planning.
NewEdge Advisors has expanded its Atlanta-based Full Scope Wealth Group with the addition of financial advisors Mark Lerner and Ryan Rouille from MassMutual's MML Investors Services. The advisors join as managing partners, reuniting with former MassMutual colleagues at Full Scope, which was affiliated with NewEdge in late 2025. The addition expands the firm's advisory capabilities for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Kintra Wealth has recruited Great Scott Financial Services, a New Jersey-based advisory practice overseeing approximately $355 million in client assets. Led by Scott Seymour, who joins as Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor, the practice previously operated under Commonwealth Financial Network. The addition brings Kintra's total client assets to more than $4 billion following its April 2026 launch by six former Commonwealth advisory teams.
Rockefeller Global Family Office has recruited two advisory practices overseeing approximately $1.05 billion in combined client assets from J.P. Morgan Wealth Management and UBS Wealth Management USA. Houston-based Sage Wealth Partners, led by Christopher Sheets and Forrest Green, brings approximately $700 million, while Andrea and Martin Shea join Rockefeller's Columbus, Ohio, operations with a $350 million practice. The additions expand Rockefeller's advisory presence in both markets.
Focus Financial Partners has reached an agreement to acquire Benefit Financial Services Group (BFSG), a $19.5 billion investment consultancy and wealth management firm, which will join its largest hub, Focus Partners Wealth. Founded in the early 1990s, BFSG has been affiliated with Focus Financial since 2007. The transaction, expected to close in Q4 2026, is part of Focus Financial's ongoing consolidation of its affiliated RIAs under a centralized operating structure.
Cresset has reached an agreement to acquire National Advisors Trust (NAT), an independent trust company based in Leawood, Kansas, overseeing approximately $7.7 billion in trust assets under administration. The acquisition will expand Cresset's national trust capabilities and strengthen its services for independent RIAs and family offices. Expected to close in late 2026, the transaction will allow NAT to retain its existing brand, leadership, and operations under Cresset's ownership.
Harbourfront Wealth Group has acquired Montreal-based Galliant Advisors LP, bringing its total assets under administration to more than $23 billion. Founded in 2007, Galliant serves high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients and will join Harbourfront Wealth Counsel, the firm's investment counsel portfolio management division. The transaction marks Harbourfront's sixth acquisition in three years as it continues expanding its national wealth management platform.
Aspen Standard Wealth has acquired Cullen Investment Group, a Lafayette, Louisiana-based RIA managing more than $1 billion in assets. Founded in 1986, Cullen specializes in value-oriented investment management and customized portfolios. The acquisition expands Aspen's wealth management platform while providing Cullen with additional resources to support its continued growth and client services.
Cullen Principal Stephen Nickel emphasized the importance of maintaining the firm's investment philosophy and longstanding client relationships following the acquisition.
Bluespring Wealth has acquired Family Wealth Counseling and merged it with existing partner firm KDI Wealth Management, creating a combined practice overseeing more than $1 billion in client assets. Operating under the Bluespring Wealth name, the combined team includes 16 professionals, including eight financial advisors, with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Georgetown, Texas. The merger expands the firm's expertise in business succession, exit planning, and multigenerational wealth management.
Trilogy Financial Services has acquired Mountain Capital Investment Advisors, a Westminster, Colorado-based wealth management firm overseeing approximately $1 billion in client assets. Specializing in financial planning and tax services for pilots and aviation professionals, Mountain Capital will become Trilogy's eleventh office and second Colorado location. The transaction marks Trilogy's largest acquisition of 2026.
Cerity Partners has completed three RIA mergers, adding approximately $2.1 billion in assets under management across Silicon Valley, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. The transactions involve Cornerstone Capital, Compass Wealth Management, and Echo Wealth Management, all of which will operate under the Cerity Partners name. The additions expand the firm's national presence, including its first entry into Minnesota.
Two top-producing J.P. Morgan Advisors teams led by Phil Scott and Jim Atwood have launched Latigo Peak Partners, an independent RIA headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The teams previously oversaw a combined $18.6 billion in client assets and generated approximately $130 million in annual revenue. The self-funded firm launches with 48 employees and additional offices in Bellevue, Washington, Boston, and Los Angeles, marking one of the largest advisor breakaways of 2026.
Michael Dechiario, a 30-year wealth management veteran, has left Wells Fargo Advisors to launch Goalpost Wealth Management, an independent RIA based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. The firm manages approximately $320 million in client assets, representing Dechiario's entire book of business from Wells Fargo. The launch marks his transition to independence after three decades at major wirehouses, driven in part by advancements in technology and greater flexibility in serving clients.