Merit Financial Advisors, a Georgia-based financial advisory firm focusing on financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and those navigating life transitions, announced it has acquired Viren and Associates.
Operating out of Spokane, Washington, Viren will expand on Merit’s existing presence in the area and increase assets by over $542 million. Launched by Paul and Beth Viren as a financial planning firm, Viren specializes in retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and group employee benefits. Paul Viren is a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Chartered Life Underwriter, and an Accredited Estate Planner with 30 years of experience. And Viren’s team of two additional financial planners and client support professionals will join Merit.
This is Merit’s 25th acquisition since taking a minority investment in December 2020 from Wealth Partners Capital Group (WPCG) and a group of strategic investors led by HGGC’s Aspire Holdings platform.
This merger was finalized on March 8, 2024. The financial and legal terms of the deal were not disclosed.
KEY QUOTES:
“Merit’s commitment to excellence and providing world-class service to its clients is highly appealing and fully aligns with the brand that Viren has successfully built over the past few decades. One of Viren’s core values is to always put its clients’ interests first, and we are thrilled to have found a partner in Merit that has the same level of integrity, approach to clients, and expertise.”
- Paul Viren
“The strategic partnership between Merit and Viren is a major milestone that sets Merit up for significant future success, specifically with the expansion of Merit’s qualified retirement plan and advanced insurance service offerings. I couldn’t be more excited about the future of Merit with the addition of Paul and his team as a part of our organization.”
- Tait Lane, Regional Director and Partner at Merit
