Denver-headquartered Mercer Advisors, a national Registered Investment Advisor, has been one of the largest acquirers of wealth management firms in the North American market.

Mercer Advisors is continuing its run of M&A transactions by expanding in Nashville with the acquisition of $660 million Financial Partners Group, an investment advisory and financial planning firm based in Gallatin, Tennessee.

This acquisition, which has expanded Mercer’s assets under management to $69 billion, builds on the firm’s existing presence in the Nashville metro area, bringing its family office service offering to more clients in one of the country’s fastest-growing markets. 

Mercer is among a cluster of wealth managers that have bought a number of firms in a consolidation and M&A trend now well established in the US and Canada. (See here for FWR's analysis of recent developments by US correspondent Charles Paikert.)

Managing $660 million in assets, FPG is led by founding partners Bo Bowling and Scott Paschal, the firm said in a statement. The firm specializes in retirement planning, distribution and wealth transfer, serving a diverse client base ranging from mass affluent individuals to ultra-high net worth families.

By joining Mercer Advisors, FPG gains access to enhanced investment management and planning resources in areas such as estate and tax planning. In addition, it benefits from a broader team of specialists that enable the firm to provide even more comprehensive services to its clients.

Advice Dynamics Partners acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Financial Partners Group.

“At Financial Partners, our goal has always been to stand for our clients as their most trusted advisor, combining professional expertise with integrity and personalized service,” said Bowling. “In joining Mercer Advisors, we strengthen our ability to provide the quality guidance our clients expect.”

“Bo and Scott have cultivated a highly respected practice, committed to delivering high-quality advice,” Martine Lellis (pictured), principal, M&A partner development at Mercer Advisors, added. “We believe deeply in their client-centric approach and focus on long-term success. Their values perfectly align with our own at Mercer Advisors. We look forward to supporting their continued growth and expanding the depth of services they can provide to their clients.”

In addition to leveraging Mercer Advisors’ resources, specialized services and operational support, FPG joined the firm to position its next-generation advisors for continued growth. 

“Mercer Advisors’ vast resources and enhanced capabilities will allow us to continue providing exceptional service to our clients, while also providing meaningful career opportunities for our team,” Paschal continued. “This partnership enhances our ability to offer even more comprehensive solutions, helping our clients navigate their financial futures with confidence.”

“Their experience will be a valuable addition as we continue to grow and expand our presence in the Nashville region,” Ben Kautz, executive managing director at Mercer Advisors, added.

The latest purchases continue a run of acquisitions by Mercer. Recently, it purchased Minneapolis-based Waypoint Capital Advisors, an investment advisory and financial planning firm, as well as Chapel & Collins, an RIA based in Fort Collins, Colorado. See more here.