Wealth Firms Expand Across U.S. With Acquisitions

Corient, Carson, Cetera, and Mission Wealth make deals to grow their footprints

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:47am

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This week saw a flurry of acquisition activity in the wealth management industry, with several firms expanding their geographic reach and service offerings through strategic mergers and acquisitions. Corient, an RIA owned by CI Financial, added $766.7 million Palo Alto Wealth Advisors to strengthen its West Coast presence. Carson Group fully acquired $500 million partner firm Schlipman Wealth in Illinois. Cetera, an independent broker-dealer, added $400 million former Raymond James firm Plains Wealth Management to its RIA platform. And Mission Wealth, a California-based RIA, announced its first acquisition of the year with the merger of $94 million Texas-based firm PBL Wealth Management.

Why it matters

These deals highlight the continued consolidation and growth in the wealth management industry, as larger firms seek to expand their geographic footprint, service capabilities, and client bases through strategic acquisitions. The transactions provide life-changing opportunities for the acquired advisors, while also allowing the acquiring firms to deepen their expertise and enhance their offerings to better serve clients.

The details

Corient is onboarding the Palo Alto Wealth Advisors team, which specializes in serving technology professionals and their families, an area Corient already has expertise in. Carson Group's acquisition of Schlipman Wealth will rebrand the Illinois-based firm as Carson Wealth, while keeping the existing leadership in place. Cetera's deal for Plains Wealth Management will add the Houston-based RIA to its employee-based RIA channel, The Retirement Planning Group. And Mission Wealth's merger with PBL Wealth Management in Texas will provide clients access to a broader platform while preserving the personalized, fiduciary approach.

  • The Corient-Palo Alto Wealth Advisors deal was announced in January 2026.
  • Carson Group acquired Schlipman Wealth earlier this year.
  • Cetera announced its deal for Plains Wealth Management in early 2026.
  • Mission Wealth announced its merger with PBL Wealth Management in 2026.

The players

Corient

A fee-only registered investment advisor arm of Mubadala Capital-owned CI Financial.

Palo Alto Wealth Advisors

A $766.7 million wealth management firm that Corient is acquiring to strengthen its West Coast presence.

Carson Group

An Omaha, Nebraska-based RIA that has grown to over $55 billion in AUM.

Schlipman Wealth

A $500 million partner firm of Carson Group that is being fully acquired and rebranded as Carson Wealth.

Cetera

An independent broker/dealer with a number of RIA channel options, including The Retirement Planning Group.

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What they’re saying

“Becoming a fully integrated Carson Wealth office gives us access to the national brand recognition, scale and resources to pursue thoughtful acquisitions and growth.”

— Mark Schlipman, Founder, Schlipman Wealth (wealthmanagement.com)

“Joining Mission Wealth provides our clients access to a broader platform while preserving the personalized, fiduciary approach that defines our practice.”

— Adam Broughton, Founder, PBL Wealth Management (wealthmanagement.com)

What’s next

The judge in the Corient-Palo Alto Wealth Advisors deal will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the acquisition to proceed.

The takeaway

These acquisitions demonstrate the continued consolidation in the wealth management industry, as larger firms seek to expand their geographic reach, service capabilities, and client bases. The transactions provide growth opportunities for the acquired firms while also enhancing the acquiring companies' offerings to better serve their clients.