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RIA Consolidation Accelerates as Wealthcare, OnePoint BFG, Hightower, and RFG Expand Through Acquisitions
On September 11, 2026, four registered investment adviser (RIA) platforms unveiled a cascade of acquisitions and a merger that together added more than $2.5 billion in client assets and broadened their geographic footprints.
Wealthcare Advisory Partners, a West Chester, Pennsylvania‑based hybrid RIA managing $10 billion in assets, announced that IAM Advisory had joined its ranks. The deal brings eight advisors, five operations staff members and $550 million in AUM from Pennsylvania. IAM will retain its brand and equity ownership under a revenue‑buy‑down arrangement while gaining access to Wealthcare’s technology and support. Wealthcare, owned by Sammons Financial Group, offers hybrid and fee‑only 1099 models, W‑2 employee affiliation and acquisition options. IAM is run by Joseph Parsons and his daughter Holly Parsons Jinks. Parsons said, “We chose Wealthcare because it gives us the best of both worlds. We can continue serving our clients and operating our business in the way we believe is best, while gaining access to the scale, technology and support of a larger organization.”
OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners, based in Parsippany, New Jersey and managing $18 billion in AUM, announced the acquisition of Bast Financial Group, a Tampa, Florida‑based firm led by founder Rebecca Bast. Bast’s six‑person team will add about $400 million in AUM to OnePoint BFG, expanding the firm’s presence in Florida and adding a practice that serves business owners, executives and families with complex planning needs, including multigenerational wealth transfer. Bast said, “OnePoint BFG offers the best of both worlds: the freedom and flexibility of an independent firm, combined with the resources, technology and support we need to serve our clients at the highest level.” OnePoint BFG, backed by minority investor Rise Growth and majority‑owned by employees, has already made three acquisitions this year, including a former Northwestern Mutual team in Minneapolis.
Hightower Advisors, a Chicago‑based hybrid RIA with more than $350 billion in AUM, announced that Boston Hill Advisors has joined Hightower Signature Wealth (HTSW), the firm’s fully integrated national wealth‑management practice. Boston Hill, founded in 2006, provides wealth management, investment solutions and financial planning to individuals, families and institutions and has about $1.6 billion in AUM. The practice has been a Hightower affiliate since 2023 and will continue to operate from its North Andover and Natick, Massachusetts offices. Hightower CEO Larry Restieri said, “Boston Hill Advisors is a strong addition to HTSW, with a talented team, extensive investment experience and a longstanding commitment to clients.” Managing Director Joseph Trainor added, “Moving under HTSW positions our team for the future without changing the values that have guided us since day one.” After the closing in late August, HTSW now has more than $40 billion in AUM, over 130 advisors and more than 30 locations nationwide. The RIA, majority‑owned by private‑equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners, expects to announce additional HTSW acquisitions throughout 2026.
RFG Advisory, a Birmingham, Alabama‑based platform nearing $9 billion in client assets, announced the merger of two of its platform firms, WFA and Volare Wealth Advisors, to form WFA Volare. The new firm manages more than $750 million in client assets and combines a 16‑person team across multiple markets. WFA, founded in 1997 in Louisiana, and Volare, founded in 2022 by Christine Wedell, focused on serving women in transition. The merger is described as a strategic partnership rather than a growth‑only move. Dany Martin, partner and wealth advisor at WFA Volare, said, “This was never about getting bigger. It was about getting better for our clients.” RFG CEO Shannon Spotswood added, “Our role is to give advisors the freedom and resources to build a stronger business while protecting what matters most to them and their clients.” Earlier this year, RFG completed its first advisor‑majority acquisition of RVA Wealth Management, and the firm is majority‑owned by private‑equity firm Long Ridge Equity Partners.
These transactions illustrate a broader trend of consolidation and strategic alignment in the RIA sector. Firms are combining hybrid models that blend fee‑only, 1099 and W‑2 structures with niche focus areas such as women’s financial transitions, retirees, high‑earning professionals and elite athletes. Private‑equity ownership is also a common thread, with Long Ridge Equity Partners, Rise Growth and Thomas H. Lee Partners backing several of the platforms. The moves are intended to increase scale, enhance technology and support services, and expand geographic reach.
At present, the four firms have added more than $2.5 billion in assets and expanded into new markets, including Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts and the national footprint of HTSW. Upcoming earnings reports for RFG, Hightower and OnePoint BFG will provide further insight into the financial impact of these deals. The firms have not yet disclosed detailed integration plans, and future acquisitions remain a possibility as the consolidation trend continues.
Wealthcare Advisory Partners, a West Chester, Pennsylvania‑based hybrid RIA managing $10 billion in assets, announced that IAM Advisory had joined its ranks. The deal brings eight advisors, five operations staff members and $550 million in AUM from Pennsylvania. IAM will retain its brand and equity ownership under a revenue‑buy‑down arrangement while gaining access to Wealthcare’s technology and support. Wealthcare, owned by Sammons Financial Group, offers hybrid and fee‑only 1099 models, W‑2 employee affiliation and acquisition options. IAM is run by Joseph Parsons and his daughter Holly Parsons Jinks. Parsons said, “We chose Wealthcare because it gives us the best of both worlds. We can continue serving our clients and operating our business in the way we believe is best, while gaining access to the scale, technology and support of a larger organization.”
OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners, based in Parsippany, New Jersey and managing $18 billion in AUM, announced the acquisition of Bast Financial Group, a Tampa, Florida‑based firm led by founder Rebecca Bast. Bast’s six‑person team will add about $400 million in AUM to OnePoint BFG, expanding the firm’s presence in Florida and adding a practice that serves business owners, executives and families with complex planning needs, including multigenerational wealth transfer. Bast said, “OnePoint BFG offers the best of both worlds: the freedom and flexibility of an independent firm, combined with the resources, technology and support we need to serve our clients at the highest level.” OnePoint BFG, backed by minority investor Rise Growth and majority‑owned by employees, has already made three acquisitions this year, including a former Northwestern Mutual team in Minneapolis.
Hightower Advisors, a Chicago‑based hybrid RIA with more than $350 billion in AUM, announced that Boston Hill Advisors has joined Hightower Signature Wealth (HTSW), the firm’s fully integrated national wealth‑management practice. Boston Hill, founded in 2006, provides wealth management, investment solutions and financial planning to individuals, families and institutions and has about $1.6 billion in AUM. The practice has been a Hightower affiliate since 2023 and will continue to operate from its North Andover and Natick, Massachusetts offices. Hightower CEO Larry Restieri said, “Boston Hill Advisors is a strong addition to HTSW, with a talented team, extensive investment experience and a longstanding commitment to clients.” Managing Director Joseph Trainor added, “Moving under HTSW positions our team for the future without changing the values that have guided us since day one.” After the closing in late August, HTSW now has more than $40 billion in AUM, over 130 advisors and more than 30 locations nationwide. The RIA, majority‑owned by private‑equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners, expects to announce additional HTSW acquisitions throughout 2026.
RFG Advisory, a Birmingham, Alabama‑based platform nearing $9 billion in client assets, announced the merger of two of its platform firms, WFA and Volare Wealth Advisors, to form WFA Volare. The new firm manages more than $750 million in client assets and combines a 16‑person team across multiple markets. WFA, founded in 1997 in Louisiana, and Volare, founded in 2022 by Christine Wedell, focused on serving women in transition. The merger is described as a strategic partnership rather than a growth‑only move. Dany Martin, partner and wealth advisor at WFA Volare, said, “This was never about getting bigger. It was about getting better for our clients.” RFG CEO Shannon Spotswood added, “Our role is to give advisors the freedom and resources to build a stronger business while protecting what matters most to them and their clients.” Earlier this year, RFG completed its first advisor‑majority acquisition of RVA Wealth Management, and the firm is majority‑owned by private‑equity firm Long Ridge Equity Partners.
These transactions illustrate a broader trend of consolidation and strategic alignment in the RIA sector. Firms are combining hybrid models that blend fee‑only, 1099 and W‑2 structures with niche focus areas such as women’s financial transitions, retirees, high‑earning professionals and elite athletes. Private‑equity ownership is also a common thread, with Long Ridge Equity Partners, Rise Growth and Thomas H. Lee Partners backing several of the platforms. The moves are intended to increase scale, enhance technology and support services, and expand geographic reach.
At present, the four firms have added more than $2.5 billion in assets and expanded into new markets, including Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts and the national footprint of HTSW. Upcoming earnings reports for RFG, Hightower and OnePoint BFG will provide further insight into the financial impact of these deals. The firms have not yet disclosed detailed integration plans, and future acquisitions remain a possibility as the consolidation trend continues.
