VestGen Wealth Partners receives Willow Tree credit to fund RIA acquisitions

VestGen Wealth Partners has received growth capital from Willow Tree Credit Partners, a private credit alternatives firm, and will use the money to fund its mergers and acquisitions activity, WealthManagement.com reported. The report does not disclose the amount, structure or terms.

The Chicago-based platform launched in December 2024 with 10 financial advisory practices and $5.3 billion in assets. It now has 19 firms and $8.5 billion in assets, up nine firms and $3.2 billion since launch.

VestGen was founded by Josh Gerry, who served as chief executive until he stepped down earlier this year, a move the company described as part of a “next-gen executive succession plan,” according to WealthManagement.com. CFO Jason Hanavan succeeded him.

Hanavan said in a statement that the capital would help VestGen continue its aggressive growth strategy. “Willow Tree is the right partner to help us fulfill our vision and continue our momentum in the quickly consolidating and evolving independent wealth management space,” he said.

VestGen's model is to acquire businesses from retiring advisors, some of which pass to younger advisors; senior advisors stay on as mentors and consultants before they leave, according to WealthManagement.com.

Last year the platform added a retirement plan advice division, bolstered by the acquisition of a former Osaic team. The unit offers fiduciary oversight and participant engagement programs to plan sponsors and to participants looking to roll over retirement assets.