Creative planning, ability to be active in 2026

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This week, we surveyed a handful of investors in the wealth management space to measure performance in 2026. Verdict: We’re a bit lower than 2025, but all signs point to another frenzy of deals as the year rolls around.

It’s true that as far as RIA deals go, things may be a little softer this week. Even then, we reported on a separate move by $6 billion, a 13-person team from UBS Financial Services to join the RIA partnership platform of NewAge Advisors. We also wrote about a unique climate investment deal by Rise Growth’s Joe Duran at Dynasty Wealth Partners, a $3.1 billion RIA in the Dynasty Financial Partners network. Dynasty, which also had a minority stake in Syndio, began investing as part of the arrangement.

Below are a few more essential deals to get you through this “slow” weekend.

Creative Planning, an Overland Park, Conn.-based firm that manages about $700 billion in client assets, has acquired Duncan & Healey, a Seattle-based RIA with $660 million in AUM. Creative Planning completed the deal on March 12, marking the second acquisition of 2026.

Duncan & Haley, founded in 1998, serves private clients and employer-sponsored retirement plans and provides investment, tax, retirement, estate and trust services. The company was majority-owned by president John Haley, according to its latest Form ADV. Haley was a consultant with LPL Financial until 2014, according to BrokerCheck.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Haley said clients increasingly benefit from a broad range of expertise in the areas of tax strategy, estate planning and retirement plan governance.

“Duncan & Healey has long shared our belief that integrating financial services into a personalized and cohesive strategy delivers the best results for our clients,” added Peter Mallock, president and CEO of Creative Planning, in a statement. “Together, we can deliver even greater value and insight into our clients’ long-term financial goals.”

Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Yeomans Advisory Group, a Marietta, Ga.-based wealth management firm with approximately $434 million in AUM. Atlanta-based Merit, which manages $24.7 billion in client assets, closed the deal on March 6.

Yeomans founder and CEO Randy Yeomans, and president and son Nicholas Yeomans will join Merit as asset managers and partners along with their operations, compliance, and client services teams. The pair were with SagePoint Financial from 2005 to 2022, according to BrokerCheck.

The acquisition is Merritt’s 56th transaction and follows last month’s purchase of Glenn Inc., which added approximately $208 million in assets and established the company’s seventh Pennsylvania office. In January, the RIA also announced it had acquired SSC Wealth, the financial advisory team of accounting firm SSC CPAs + Advisors, in a deal that included partnering with CPAs at that Topeka, Kan.-based firm.

Symmetry, a $3.36 billion RIA based in Foster City, Calif., has acquired Vantage Wealth, a Pasadena, Calif.-based RIA with $721 million in AUM. Symmetry was the first acquisition of RIA holding company Aspen Standard Wealth in 2024.

Vantage Wealth, founded in 2003, provides investment management and financial planning to business owners, executives and families. Originally called Osher Van de Voorde Investment Management, the firm was majority-owned by its president, James Van de Voorde.

Van de Voord said the move to Symmetry allows the company to provide holistic wealth management services for generations to come.

FP transfer is recommended on transfer.

Raymond James has brought in several Commonwealth advisors who decided to move following the acquisition of the independent broker/dealer by LPL Financial last August.

Six advisors with Rochester, New York-based Oakwood Financial Services oversee more than $800 million in client assets in the Commonwealth. They include: Mike McNaughton, Don Schmitz, Greg Schuler, Tracy Lewis, Jeff Santillo and John Woodworth. The team, which will retain its location and name, works with high-net-worth families and individuals, business owners and retirees.

“Our clients expect thoughtful, coordinated planning — not just investment choices,” McNaughton, co-founder of OFS, said in a statement. “Raymond James gives us the technology, investment platform and resources to serve clients thoughtfully, while maintaining our independence and customer-first mindset.”

In a recent interview with Asset managementTash Alvin, president of Raymond James’ private client group, said the firm’s focus on not cross-selling advisors is helping its recruiting efforts.