Blurring Lines Between M&A Investment Bankers and Business Brokers for RIAs?
In a consolidating industry, buyers and sellers of RIA firms must learn to recognize the differences between these transaction professionals
AdvisorHub, 9/24/25 (Written by Jim Roth, an Ascentix Strategic Partner)
In the RIA space, consolidation is intensifying. That’s nothing new at this point, especially given the ongoing rise in sources of private capital coming off the sidelines and investing in the industry. Beyond traditional private equity firms, both private credit shops and sources of patient capital, such as family offices, are becoming active bidders in RIA deals as well.
But anecdotal evidence suggests that, while plenty of buyers are out there, they are becoming more selective. RIA sellers with high quality businesses – those that exhibit robust organic growth, combined with a high percentage of recurring revenue and higher net worth end clients – will command more impressive valuations.