OneVest announced a strategic partnership with Merit Financial Advisors aimed at supporting the wealth management firm’s rapid national expansion and technology modernization. The collaboration is designed to help Merit scale operations while maintaining its advisor-centric approach as the firm continues an active acquisition strategy.
Merit Financial Advisors, a national wealth management firm, is entering what it described as its most acquisitive year to date. The company is targeting about 15 acquisitions in 2026, following a milestone year in which it doubled assets under management to more than $24 billion. The partnership with OneVest is intended to provide the technological infrastructure needed to support this growth while integrating newly acquired advisory teams.
The initiative centers on deploying OneVest’s wealth operating system across Merit’s expanding advisory network. The platform aims to create a unified operating model that simplifies workflows, consolidates fragmented systems, and reduces administrative complexity. By integrating operational processes and client data into a single architecture, the system is designed to help advisors focus more on client relationships rather than operational tasks.
According to the companies, the technology will also streamline onboarding for newly acquired advisory teams and unify data across custodial platforms, performance systems, and financial planning tools. The approach reflects a broader industry shift toward integrated wealth management technology stacks that automate manual processes and improve operational efficiency.
Merit said the partnership aligns with its long-term strategy of working with technology partners capable of supporting rapid scale while preserving a high-touch advisory model. OneVest’s platform is positioned as an AI-native operating system designed to move beyond traditional dashboards by automating workflows and enabling more intelligent operational processes.
The companies also emphasized that the technology partnership reflects a broader transformation underway in the wealth management industry, where firms increasingly view modern infrastructure as a competitive advantage rather than simply a support function.
KEY QUOTES:
“As we continue our rapid growth trajectory and welcome more advisor teams to the Merit family, our priority is providing them with the absolute best-in-class infrastructure. We aren’t just looking for tools; we are looking for a partner that helps us move faster without compromising the personalized experience our advisors and clients deserve. OneVest is that partner, offering the technology designed for the scale we are achieving today and the innovation we need for tomorrow.”
Rick Kent, CEO, Merit Financial Advisors
“Merit is a visionary firm that understands technology is no longer just a support function, it is a competitive differentiator. Our platform was engineered to be the premier choice for the elite wealth enterprise, providing the battle-tested, high-velocity power required for firms like Merit to scale without limits. Together, we are setting a new standard for how wealth management firms can grow while delivering a frictionless experience that keeps the advisor at the center of the story.”
Amar Ahluwalia, CEO, OneVest
