Advisory M&A News – 2/24/25

Marsh McLennan’s Mercer to Acquire SECOR Asset Management

Mercer, a business of Marsh McLennan, announced an agreement to acquire SECOR Asset Management L.P., a provider of portfolio solutions.

Founded in 2010 by a group of partners that included Tony Kao and Ray Iwanowski, SECOR serves institutional investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, endowments and family offices. The firm offers end-to-end portfolio solutions, including investment advisory and implementation, fiduciary management and asset liability management.

SECOR has $13.8 billion in assets under advisement and $21.5 billion in assets under management, as of September 30, 2024.

“SECOR’s exceptional team is highly regarded in the industry for their extensive experience working with in-house investment teams and proven expertise in specialized investment implementation,” said Michael Dempsey, Mercer’s wealth president, in a statement.

Creative Planning Acquires Maxwell Wealth Strategies

Creative Planning announced the acquisition of Pleasanton, California-based Maxwell Wealth Strategies, which has been partnering with clients seeking financial planning guidance since 2015. The deal was finalized on January 17.

Managing more than $290 million in assets as of December 2024, Maxwell Wealth Strategies offers financial advisory services and wealth management. The team specializes in creating customized strategies that encompass investment management, financial planning and risk mitigation.

“This acquisition marks the beginning of a transformative year ahead focused on expanding our reach and enhancing our commitment to exceptional client service,” said Peter Mallouk, Creative Planning’s CEO, in a statement. “The Maxwell Wealth Strategies team has established themselves as trusted advisors through their dedication to client success.”