Merit Financial Advisors Acquired Moldenhauer and Associates

Clients of the firm will transition as part of a move that adds $1.1 billion in assets to the national advisory group.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Financial Planning

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of two merging geometric blocks, evoking the institutional consolidation of financial assets. — Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Orchard Park-based Moldenhauer and Associates, a merger that adds $1.1 billion in client assets to the advisory group. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust that consolidation among financial advisory firms improves the quality of service for clients?

Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Orchard Park, New York-based Moldenhauer and Associates, a firm that manages $1.1 billion in client assets. This acquisition involves 12 employees joining Merit and impacts nearly 1,900 households previously served by the firm.

Why it matters

The transition provides the acquired firm with expanded resources in operations, marketing, and human resources. The move also reflects a broader consolidation trend as the firm prepares for the upcoming transfer of Commonwealth Financial Network client assets to LPL Financial.

Merit Financial Advisors added $1.1 billion in assets from nearly 1,900 households in this deal. The firm has completed 63 total acquisitions since its inception, with 12 deals finalized within the current year alone.

The players

Merit Financial Advisors

An Atlanta-based wealth management firm that oversees $32.9 billion in assets and provides administrative, operational, and investment support to financial advisors.

Moldenhauer and Associates

An Orchard Park, New York-based advisory firm established in 1974 that serves nearly 1,900 households.

Brett Moldenhauer

The lead professional from the acquired firm who joined Merit Financial Advisors along with his team.

Commonwealth Financial Network

A broker-dealer and investment adviser platform that has hosted many independent financial advisory practices.

LPL Financial

A major custodian and independent broker-dealer that provides platform services and clearing for financial advisory firms.

The details

By joining Merit Financial Advisors, the Moldenhauer team gains access to centralized administrative support, including human resources, marketing, and technology platforms. This operational shift comes as LPL Financial is expected to transition all Commonwealth client assets to its platforms this November. Households served by the firm are now part of a larger organization overseeing $32.9 billion in total assets.

1974: Moldenhauer and Associates was founded.
2016: The firm joined Commonwealth Financial Network.
August 2026: Merit acquired a Southern California team.
September 2026: Merit acquired the team led by Tim Brennan.
November 2026: LPL Financial expects to transition Commonwealth client assets.

Money Landscape

This acquisition is part of an ongoing wave of consolidation within the financial advisory industry as smaller firms seek operational support. It follows the pattern set by LPL Financial's transition of Commonwealth client assets, which is driving firms toward larger platforms.

Households served by the acquired firm should look for communications regarding potential changes to their account access, advisor contact information, or administrative workflows. If you are an affected client, request a meeting with your advisor to clarify how this transition impacts your financial planning.

The takeaway

Large-scale acquisitions often result in changes to the back-office platforms or reporting tools you use to manage your household finances. Review your upcoming quarterly statements and advisor correspondence for any updates regarding changes to your account procedures.