United Capital Financial Advisors, the asset management firm, has acquired Peak Capital Investment Services.

As a result of the merger, all of Peak Capital's employees will be integrated into United's staff, and all of the firm's $600 million in AuM will also be transfered. In addition, David Peterson, president of Peak Capital, Tim Harder, the chief information officer, and senior vice presidents Brandon Ross and Jonathan Bluementhal will assume new roles as managing directors at United. 

The deal comes as United Capital implements its US expansion strategy, focused on Atlanta, Boston, Denver, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St Louis and Portland, the firm said. As of 30 June 2011, the company had $16 billion in assets under advisement.