Cerity Partners announced two mergers that expand its national footprint, adding teams in the Chicago area and Southern California as part of its continued growth in the independent wealth management space.
The firm has merged with Edge Financial Advisors, an independent wealth management firm based in Wheaton, Illinois, and Running Point Capital Advisors, a wealth management and investment advisory firm headquartered in El Segundo, California. Both incoming teams will operate under the Cerity Partners name.
The Edge Financial Advisors transaction strengthens Cerity Partners’ presence in the Midwest and enhances its ability to deliver holistic financial planning and customized portfolio management to high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners. Founded in 2005, Edge has built its practice around helping clients “design the life they want,” integrating tax management, investment strategies, and business planning into a comprehensive approach. The firm also brings expertise in complex retirement strategies, including defined benefit and cash balance plans, and has emphasized client wellbeing as part of overall financial health.
The Running Point Capital Advisors merger expands Cerity Partners’ reach in the Greater Los Angeles market. Running Point serves high-net-worth families and business owners through a multidisciplinary, team-based model. The firm offers advanced wealth planning strategies, including private placement life insurance and private placement variable annuities, designed to provide tax-efficient growth and asset protection. The partnership broadens Cerity’s capabilities in sophisticated planning tools for high-net-worth clients nationally.
Following both transactions, clients of Edge and Running Point will gain access to Cerity Partners’ national platform, institutional-quality investment solutions, and expanded tax and estate planning expertise, while continuing to receive the personalized service they expect. Hue Partners represented Edge Financial Advisors and Running Point Capital Advisors in the respective transactions.
KEY QUOTES
“What drew us to Edge Financial Advisors was an immediate recognition of shared values and a genuine commitment to long-term client relationships and comprehensive planning that puts client wellbeing at the center of everything. By welcoming their team to Cerity Partners, we are bringing greater depth of resources, expertise, and specialized capabilities to our clients in the Greater Chicago market, and we’re excited to continue growing together. This partnership brings together two firms with a shared culture of client-first advice and a commitment to being caring stewards of our clients’ wealth. By welcoming Running Point Capital Advisors, we are expanding our footprint in the Greater Los Angeles area with a team whose depth in sophisticated planning strategies – including PPLI and PPVA – meaningfully expands access to what we can offer high-net worth clients nationally.”
Claire O’Keefe, Partner & Head Of Partner Development, Cerity Partners
“Cerity Partners shares our commitment to high-quality planning and long-term client relationships. The firm’s mission has been to give our clients confidence in their future. This partnership provides our clients with access to broader resources and deeper expertise in areas like advanced tax and estate planning, positioning us well to support their dreams for generations to come.”
Ed Meek, Founder And CEO, Edge Financial Advisors
“Cerity Partners shares our commitment to strategic, client-first planning that goes beyond conventional solutions. Our focus has always been on deploying the full range of available strategies to help clients preserve and grow their wealth in the most tax-efficient way possible. Joining Cerity Partners gives us the national platform to deliver these capabilities to even more clients.”
Jim Schlager, Founder And Managing Partner, Running Point Capital Advisors
