Advisory M&A News – 3/18/24

Savvy Advisors Adds 3 Principal Wealth Managers

Savvy Advisors Inc., an investment firm based in New York, has added three new wealth managers. The expansion brings the firm’s total to 15 wealth managers, all focused on serving its high-net-worth client base.

The three advisers are:

• Aaron Wiegman, based in Del Mar, California, who has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. In addition to his position at Savvy, Wiegman is currently serving on the board for the San Diego chapter of the Financial Planning Association. He was previously employed by Financial Sense Wealth Management and Saybrus Partners;
• Arynton Hardy, based in Los Angeles, specializes in financial planning for clients with unique income streams, including professional boxers and organizational creators and founders who have exited their ventures. In 2019, he launched an independent advisory firm, Hardy Capital Investments, which he will maintain within Savvy’s adviser network;
• Dustin Parson, based in Central Arkansas, joins Savvy after 13 years with Arvest Bank, providing services in banking, lending, investing and insurance. He started his financial career as a personal banker and transitioned to the role of client adviser for Arvest Wealth Management in 2017. His expertise is in advising those who have come into sudden wealth.

Merit Financial Advisors Partners With Viren and Associates

Merit Financial Advisors, a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that provides financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families and those navigating life transitions, announced it has acquired Viren and Associates Inc.

Viren, based in Spokane, Washington, will expand Merit’s existing presence in the region and increase its assets by more than $542 million. Founded by Paul and Beth Viren as a financial planning firm, Viren also specializes in retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and group employee benefits. Viren’s team of two additional financial planners and client support professionals will also join Merit.

“Merit’s commitment to excellence and providing world-class service to its clients is highly appealing and fully aligns with the brand that Viren has successfully built over the past few decades,” Paul Viren said in a statement.

This is Merit’s 25th acquisition since taking a minority investment in December 2020 from Wealth Partners Capital Group and a group of strategic investors led by HGGC’s Aspire Holdings platform, according to a release.