CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Mather Group (TMG), a boutique, fee-only wealth management firm with 55 employees across four offices, announced today its acquisition of Berman Investment Advisors, a financial planning firm with over $1 billion in assets under management (AUM), located in Mill Valley, CA and serving ultra-high net worth individuals and families. The transaction expands TMG’s growing footprint into the San Francisco Bay Area and brings their total AUM to $2.8 billion.
This acquisition comes after an impressive run of organic growth for TMG since opening its doors in 2011. The firm’s 52 percent organic growth rate—driven by a comprehensive, tech-forward offering—has caught nationwide attention, landing them on this year’s InvestmentNews Top 25 Fastest Growing $1 Billion+ RIAs list. TMG Founding Partner Stewart Mather was also recently recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Independent Advisors by Barron’s and a Forbes Top Advisor. Mather, age 40, attributes his firm’s recognition and success first and foremost to their strict adherence to a fiduciary standard, followed closely by their highly credentialed, next-generation staff of financial, tax and legal professionals.
“We had been tirelessly searching for the right strategic partner to help us elevate the level of service we offer clients,” says Steve Berman, Founder and President of Berman Investment Advisors. “I also felt it was in my client’s best interest to look for a founder with a long-term vision, rather than a private equity-backed buyer. I see a lot of my younger self in Stewart and admire his innovative vision for the business.” Mather shares equal excitement about the synergies of partnering with Berman and deeply respects the value of teaming up with a well-seasoned founder. “Steve brings incredible intellectual capital to the table with his wealth management experience, specifically with ultra-high net worth families,” says Mather. “We’re thrilled to gain his expertise and have him serve as Chairman of our Family Office.”
This is the first move by Mather in his acquisition growth strategy focused on engaging fee-only founders looking to partner with a likeminded successor. But Mather also remains diligently focused on the organic growth initiatives that’ve served his employee-owned firm well, such as continuing to expand into new markets like he has in Atlanta, Dallas and Houston, as well as investing heavily in innovative technology that brings incredible value to clients.
The acquisition closed on October 1, 2018 under the financial advisement of Park Sutton Advisors, LLC.
The Mather Group is an independent, fee-only registered investment advisory firm, offering comprehensive financial planning, wealth management and family office services with clients’ best interests in mind. To learn more, visit www.themathergroup.com.
