Mercer Advisors has continued its aggressive expansion strategy with the acquisition of two more independent advisory practices, pushing its year-to-date total to 11.
The Denver-based RIA giant announced the purchases of West Oak Capital in Eagle, Idaho, and Eagle Wealth Management in Bend, Oregon, further strengthening its footprint across the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest. Since launching its inorganic growth strategy in 2016, Mercer has now completed 107 acquisitions, underscoring its position as one of the most active consolidators in the wealth management space.
The addition of West Oak Capital marks Mercer’s tenth transaction of the year. Founded in 2003 by Byron and Lisa Snider, the firm oversees approximately $500 million in assets for more than 100 clients. Byron Snider, who serves as president and chief compliance officer, leads the advisory side of the practice, while Lisa Snider manages the firm’s operations and back office. Together, they’ve built an eight-member team focused on serving affluent families and individuals in the region.
Byron Snider emphasized the appeal of aligning with Mercer’s scale and resources while maintaining the personalized relationships that defined West Oak’s growth. “Joining forces with Mercer Advisors allows us to broaden what we can offer to our clients and their families,” Snider said in a statement. “We’ll gain access to additional resources, technology, and infrastructure that will elevate our service model while maintaining the personal touch our clients have always valued.”
Mercer’s 11th deal of the year brings Eagle Wealth Management into the fold, along with its affiliated tax services arm, Eagle Wealth Accounting. Founded in 2008 by Chad and Cami Staskal, Eagle Wealth manages approximately $350 million in client assets with a 10-member team. The integration of Eagle Wealth will not only enhance Mercer’s advisory capabilities but also add tax expertise to its Bend-based operation, aligning with Mercer’s holistic wealth management model that combines financial planning, investment management, and tax strategy.
Chad Staskal said the decision to join Mercer was driven by a shared vision for client care and continuity. “We were seeking a partner who shares our commitment to personalized, long-term financial care,” Staskal noted. For Eagle Wealth clients, the transition is expected to provide continuity of service while expanding access to Mercer’s broader platform and national resources.
Mercer has made no secret of its aggressive acquisition pipeline. In early August, the firm indicated plans to close between 15 and 20 transactions before the year ends. With private-equity backers Oak Hill Capital, Genstar Capital, and Altas Partners providing capital support, Mercer has consistently executed one of the most ambitious inorganic growth strategies in the RIA industry.
The two latest acquisitions build on a string of high-profile deals in recent months. In July, Mercer acquired Boston-based O’Brien Wealth Partners, which managed $1.1 billion in client assets. The following month, the firm picked up Sacramento-based Family Wealth Planning Group, bringing in an additional $1.2 billion. By the end of June, regulatory filings showed Mercer overseeing $81 billion in client assets, and that number has only climbed with each subsequent transaction.
For wealth advisors and RIAs across the industry, Mercer’s pace of consolidation highlights several important trends. First, scale remains a key driver in today’s marketplace. Firms like Mercer are leveraging their size to create operational efficiencies, negotiate better pricing with custodians and asset managers, and expand their suite of services. This scale advantage is increasingly appealing to smaller firms that want to provide clients with sophisticated capabilities without building everything in-house.
Second, the appeal of private-equity backing continues to reshape the independent advisory space. Mercer’s majority owners have made a long-term bet on consolidation in wealth management, providing the capital necessary to execute large numbers of transactions. For advisory firm founders considering succession planning or looking to de-risk their business, the availability of institutional buyers like Mercer creates an attractive option compared to internal succession alone.
Finally, client expectations are evolving, and advisory firms are responding by broadening their value proposition. Eagle Wealth’s integrated tax practice, for example, fits neatly into Mercer’s emphasis on offering a “family office” style of service to a broader base of clients. As more RIAs explore ways to differentiate, integrating tax, estate planning, and trust services alongside core wealth management is becoming a competitive necessity.
For independent advisors observing these developments, Mercer’s latest moves serve as both a case study and a signal of where the industry is heading. The firm’s acquisitions of West Oak Capital and Eagle Wealth Management underscore how regional advisory practices with loyal client bases and established reputations can transition into larger national platforms without sacrificing client service. At the same time, the deals highlight the opportunities for advisors to access greater technology, compliance, and operational support by partnering with acquisitive firms backed by institutional capital.
With four months left in the year and Mercer already at 11 acquisitions, it’s clear the firm’s trajectory is far from slowing down. If the stated target of 15 to 20 deals is met, 2025 could open with Mercer positioned even more firmly as a dominant force in RIA consolidation, reshaping the competitive landscape for years to come.
