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Deals Of The Day: The Latest In Wealth Management M&A – Hightower, Financial Planning and Information Services

Editorial Staff October 30, 2024

Deals Of The Day: The Latest In Wealth Management M&A – Hightower, Financial Planning and Information Services

The latest mergers, acquisitions and other corporate actions in the wealth management sector.

Hightower, Financial Planning and Information Services
Hightower Advisors, the Chicago-headquartered group, has made a strategic investment in Financial Planning and Information Services, Inc (FPIS), a wealth management and financial planning team in De Pere, Wisconsin, with more than $1.1 billion in assets under management.

Led by second generation leaders including president and CEO Ryan Wempe and vice presidents Dan Budinger and Rachel Brown, FPIS was founded in 1985 by Lon Mishler to provide holistic wealth management for clients.

As part of this transaction, FPIS promoted two individuals to partner, Brock Becker and Carl Ekstrom, who are important to the team’s growth strategy. The 16-person team will retain its brand, investment philosophy, and its approach to personalized and high-touch client service in the local Green Bay community.

“FPIS built its practice on a core principle that is still its backbone nearly 40 years later,” Hightower chairman and CEO Bob Oros, said. “Their leaders’ decision to join Hightower highlights our shared dedication to community and the importance of developing long-term, generational wealth relationships. I could not be more pleased to welcome them into our community as they continue to grow their practice.”

FPIS is the fifth firm Hightower has made a strategic investment in this year. With a range of value-added resources, including a national in-house trust company and a wholly owned CPA firm operating as a tax subsidiary offering high-end tax planning and preparation services, Hightower says it aims to create an environment for advisors to meet clients’ needs and experience the next phase of independence for their teams.

“We have always operated on the belief that long-term wealth relationships should be built on hard work, communication and a broad range of services,” FPIS president and CEO Ryan Wempe said. “We’re pleased to join the Hightower team, gaining access to new services and tools that will help us better guide our clients through the triumphs and the challenges of life.”

Earlier in October, Hightower Holding, parent of Hightower Advisors, said it is to buy a majority stake in investment consultant and outsourced chief investment officer business NEPC.

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