Denver-headquartered Mercer Advisors, a national Registered Investment Advisor, has been a large acquirer of wealth management firms in the North American market and it is continuing its run of M&A transactions.

Mercer Advisors is expanding with the acquisition of D Scott Neal, a Kentucky-based financial planning and investment management firm specializing in guiding families through transitional periods in life. Bringing over $300 million in assets under management, this acquisition represents Mercer Advisors' first partnership in Kentucky.

Led by Scott Neal, president and CEO, Jerome Zimmerer, vice-president and chief compliance officer, and Richard Coles, senior advisor, D Scott Neal has been providing wealth management services from their offices in the Greater Lexington and Louisville areas for over 30 years. The firm, which has clients in 17 states, is known for its expertise in serving healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, small business owners, individuals going through divorce, and families who need assistance with retirement, elder planning and higher education planning.

“Kentucky represents an attractive, untapped market and we look forward to expanding our reach while supporting the D Scott Neal team with the full depth of Mercer Advisors’ resources,” Ben Kautz, executive managing director at Mercer Advisors, said.

Houlihan Lokey acted as the exclusive financial advisor to D Scott Neal in this transaction.

Mercer Advisors has also just acquired Vishria Bird Financial Group, a Memphis-based financial planning and advisory firm. This acquisition enhances Mercer Advisors' footprint in Tennessee, complementing its existing offices in the Nashville area.

Managing $583 million in assets, Vishria Bird is led by co-founders Harish Vishria and Robert Bird. The firm, which specializes in serving US citizens with inheritance and asset ties to India, has established a substantial client base in Tennessee, California and Florida.

Concentrating on long-term, multigenerational relationships, Vishria Bird brings expertise in cross-border wealth transfer, business succession and multi-generational planning, positioning it to support a growing and affluent Indian-American community. 

“Mercer Advisors offers the depth of resources, specialized services and operational support to help our clients plan for a secure future,” said Bird. “This partnership provides our team with opportunities for growth and development in a rapidly-changing industry.”

Mercer Advisors has been making a number of acquisitions. It recently acquired Financial Partners Group, an investment advisory and financial planning firm based in Gallatin, Tennessee.

The firm’s acquisition also reflects Mercer Advisors’ commitment to expanding its presence in Tennessee, a key growth market. “We are excited to continue to build on our momentum in Tennessee, working with the talented team at Vishria Bird to serve their clients and support their next phase of growth,” said Kautz.

Houlihan Lokey acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Vishria Bird Financial Group in this transaction.

Founded in 1985, Mercer Advisors is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with $71 billion in client assets.