Johnson Financial Group Announces Plans to Acquire The Appleton Group

Acquisition to add $210 million in assets, expand presence in Northeast Wisconsin

APPLETON, Wis.--()--Johnson Financial Group (JFG) announced today they have signed an agreement to acquire The Appleton Group, a registered investment advisor with $210 million in assets under management based in Appleton, Wisconsin at the end of the month.

“We’re excited to welcome The Appleton Group clients and employees to our firm,” said Jim Popp, CEO of Johnson Financial Group. “This reflects our commitment to building and expanding our banking and wealth business in Wisconsin by investing in our people, our footprint, our technology and our communities.”

Founded in 2002 by Mark Scheffler, the Appleton Group is a fee-only, independent financial advisor serving private clients, employer-sponsored retirement plans, non-profit endowments and financial institutions.

“Mark Scheffler and the six employees of the Appleton Group share our values and our culture of serving our clients, our employees and our communities,” said Brian Andrew, Chief Investment Officer and President of Johnson Wealth. “This acquisition will expand our footprint in the Northeast and complement other recent efforts to build our presence in Milwaukee, Madison and Appleton. We’re looking forward to having this highly engaged and talented team join JFG.”

“We’re proud to become part of the largest independent RIA in the state,” said Scheffler. “Johnson Financial Group offers the investment products, technology and service our clients expect. In fact, our clients will experience a seamless transition as our planning and investment cultures greatly align.”

Scheffler, who is deeply involved in the Appleton community and has built a following for his “Three Minute Trend Talk” podcast, will continue to serve clients and be a leader within JFG’s Appleton office. JFG’s registered investment advisor, Johnson Wealth, has $9.5 billion in assets under management and is ranked 58th in the country according to Financial Advisor magazine’s 2023 report.

The firm completed several acquisitions and remains active in looking for additional opportunities. DeVoe & Company supported Johnson Financial Group in this transaction.

About Johnson Financial Group

Johnson Financial Group is a privately-owned financial services company offering banking and wealth solutions through its subsidiaries, Johnson Bank and Johnson Wealth. Principal owners of Johnson Financial Group are members of the Samuel C. Johnson family. Helen Johnson-Leipold is Chairman of Johnson Financial Group. For more information visit www.johnsonfinancialgroup.com.

Contacts

Carmen Tenuta
ctenuta@johnsonfinancialgroup.com
262-498-8666

Release Summary

Johnson Financial Group announced today they have signed an agreement to acquire The Appleton Group, a RIA with $210 million in AUM.

Contacts

Carmen Tenuta
ctenuta@johnsonfinancialgroup.com
262-498-8666