At a glance
- The totals are client assets, not purchase prices.
- For an advisor choosing between a buyer like CW or BKFi and an equity platform like RedBird-backed Arax, the difference is what they own after closing.
- A sale settles the price now; equity leaves part of the return to a valuation set later, based on growth the advisor is asked to produce.
Osaic-owned CW Advisors agreed to acquire three RIAs with $1.6 billion in combined client assets, and BKFi agreed to acquire Wealth With Options with $225 million, for a combined $1.825 billion in client assets.
The totals are client assets, not purchase prices.
| Buyer | Target | Client assets |
|---|---|---|
| CW Advisors | Yosemite Capital Management, Threadgill Financial, Peddock Capital Advisors | $1.6 billion combined |
| BKFi | Wealth With Options | $225 million |
| Total | $1.825 billion |
For an advisor choosing between a buyer like CW or BKFi and an equity platform like RedBird-backed Arax, the difference is what they own after closing.
A sale settles the price now; equity leaves part of the return to a valuation set later, based on growth the advisor is asked to produce.
Meridian's chief executive Greg Couch said the stake Merchant took in the firm helped it add advisors faster, now two or three a year, up from a couple a few years ago.
Arax, backed by RedBird, offers advisors equity and a say in how its platform is built, according to CEO Haig Ariyan and RedBird partner Mike Zabik.
The firm has about $50 billion in assets and 230 advisors, or roughly $217 million per advisor.
CW Advisors said it is on track to acquire eight firms in 2026, according to a spokesperson, making the three-firm deal part of a roughly one-every-seven-weeks pace.
BKFi's deal adds its first West Coast office in San Diego, with Wealth With Options founders Jackie Lewis and Ryan Goldenhar leading the team.
Arax carries $217 million per advisor
Assets, advisors and assets per advisor at RedBird-backed Arax
Reported by PWD Editors from Private Wealth Daily's reporting on the announcements, SEC EDGAR Form D, RVF Argus Fund, L.P. and SEC EDGAR Form D, RVF Argus Feeder Fund, L.P.. Published . Corrections