Expands advisor network in the Oklahoma and Florida markets

Edelman Financial Engines, America’s top independent wealth planning¹ and workplace² investment advisory firm, today announced the acquisition of Align Wealth Management (Align), a Registered Investment Advisor that provides a wide range of wealth management and financial planning services, including investment management, tax planning, retirement planning and estate planning.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with an additional office in St. Petersburg, Florida, Align manages approximately $425 million for nearly 360 clients.³

“Align is focused first and foremost on serving its clients, so we knew their culture would naturally match ours,” said Suzanne van Staveren, executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Edelman Financial Engines. “In addition, their approach to holistic wealth management fits well with our broad suite of capabilities and commitment to serving clients who can benefit from advanced services, including retirement, tax and estate planning support. We look forward to welcoming Align to our team.”

The acquisition grows Edelman Financial Engines’ presence into the Oklahoma and Florida markets, adding planner capacity in these key regions.

“Joining Edelman Financial Engines will allow our planners to spend more time delivering high-touch services to clients while getting greater support with administrative and time-consuming back-office tasks,” said Brian Puckett, co-founder of Align Wealth Management. “It also provides growth opportunities for our team to be part of an industry leading firm that has a nationwide footprint yet is much nimbler than the largest shops – a perfect fit for the clients who need our help.”

“For the last 30 years we’ve operated under the philosophy that our clients’ interests always come first, and we’ve found a partner in Edelman Financial Engines that shares our client focused commitment,” said Dennis Packard, co-founder of Align Wealth Management. “We look forward to joining the Edelman Financial Engines team and growing together with our clients for many years to come.”

M&A remains a key area of strategic growth for Edelman Financial Engines, and the firm expects activity will increase in the coming quarters as it continues conversations with strong partners.

“EFE has become an attractive strategic acquirer in the RIA space,” said Dan Seivert, chief executive officer at Echelon Partners, which served as transaction advisor to Align. “The acquisition of a high caliber firm like Align represents a great outcome for both firms and their clients.”

This transaction follows EFE’s acquisitions of Erman Retirement Advisory (2022), Herrmann & Cooke (2022), Smart Investor (2022), and Viridian Advisors (2021). These acquisitions expanded EFE’s wealth planning presence in both Northern California and the Pacific Northwest and added to its small business retirement plan and tax capabilities.

Baker McKenzie served as EFE’s counsel in connection with the transaction. Hill Ward Henderson served as Align’s counsel.

About Edelman Financial Engines

Since 1986, Edelman Financial Engines has been committed to always acting in the best interests of our clients. We were founded on the belief that all investors – not just the wealthy – deserve access to personal, comprehensive financial planning and investment advice. Today, we are America’s top independent financial planning and investment advisory firm, recognized by Barron's¹ with 145+ offices⁴ across the country and entrusted by more than 1.3 million clients to manage more than $250 billion in assets.⁵ Our unique approach to serving clients combines our advanced methodology and proprietary technology with the attention of a dedicated personal financial planner. Every client’s situation and goals are unique, and the powerful fusion of high-tech and high-touch allows Edelman Financial Engines to deliver the personal plan and financial confidence that everyone deserves.

1. The Barron’s 2023 Top 100 RIA Firms list, an eighth-year ranking of independent advisory firms, is qualitative and quantitative, including assets managed by the firms, technology spending, staff diversity, succession planning and other metrics. Firms elect to participate but do not pay to be included in the ranking. Ranking awarded each September based on data within a 12-month period. Compensation is paid for use and distribution of the rating. Investor experience and returns are not considered.

2. According to the Cerulli Associates Top-Nine Managed Account Sponsors by DC Assets survey of Defined Contribution managed account providers, The Cerulli Edge – U.S. Retirement Edition, 3Q 2023, Issue #68, Edelman Financial Engines is the largest managed account provider by DC assets and market share as of June 30, 2023.

3. Align Wealth Management, data as of June 30, 2023.

4. Edelman Financial Engines data, as of Dec. 31, 2022.

5. Edelman Financial Engines data, as of June 30, 2023.

© 2023 Edelman Financial Engines, LLC. Edelman Financial Engines® is a registered trademark of Edelman Financial Engines, LLC. All advisory services provided by Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C., a federally registered investment advisor. Results are not guaranteed. AM3129530

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