Merit Financial Advisors Acquires $1.1B Buffalo-Area RIA Firm

Merit Financial Advisors, a Georgia-based registered investment advisory firm, has acquired Moldenhauer & Associates, a long-established Buffalo-area wealth management practice overseeing approximately $1.1 billion in client assets, the firms announced Wednesday. The deal extends Merit's footprint into Western New York and marks a significant step in the acquirer's regional expansion strategy.

Moldenhauer & Associates represents the 10th firm formerly affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network to join Merit's growing roster of acquired practices. The pattern suggests Merit has developed a deliberate pipeline targeting Commonwealth alumni as a source of acquisition candidates, positioning itself as a preferred landing spot for teams seeking new institutional backing.

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For Moldenhauer & Associates, the transaction is framed around long-term continuity for both clients and advisors — a common concern for established independent practices weighing succession options. Merit's acquisition model typically allows acquired teams to maintain client relationships while gaining access to broader operational and compliance infrastructure.

The deal reflects broader consolidation trends sweeping the independent advisory space, where mid-sized RIAs increasingly seek partnerships with scaled acquirers to address succession planning, technology investment, and competitive pressures. Western New York, anchored by Buffalo's growing financial services sector, represents a strategically attractive market for firms looking to build regional density.

Financial terms beyond the disclosed assets under management figure were not released. Continue reading at All Financial Services & Investing.