DS&F Financial Services to merge with Wealth Care Group Asset Management. In a bid to increase market share in southern Louisiana's expanding economy, Lafayette, La.-based accountancy Darnall Sikes Gardes & Frederick plans to merge its financial-planning affiliate DS&F Financial Services with Wealth Care Group Asset Management to form DSF Wealth Management.

The financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

"We see the financial services part of the practice has an opportunity for substantial growth in the coming years," says Larry Sikes, president and managing director of Darnall Sikes Gardes & Frederick and CEO of DS&F Financial Services.

Sikes, who is certified as an accountant as well as a financial planner, has run DS&F Financial Services since it was founded in 2000.

Wealth Care Group president David Strother will serve as chief information officer of DS&F Financial Services.

Darnall Sikes Gardes & Frederick, which was founded in 1950 and, in addition to its Lafayette headquarters, has branch offices in nearby Eunice, Abbeville and Morgan City, will continue to operate under its old name.

Wealth Care Group is licensed to operate in Louisiana and Texas. --FWR

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