Stamford, Conn. – October 01, 2026 -- Steward Partners added six advisor teams managing a combined $2.2 billion in client assets during the third quarter of 2026, with five of the six joining through the firm's M&A channel.
Five teams join via acquisition, underscoring consolidation demand among independent advisors
American Financial Advisors, led by Mike Stark in Georgia, brought approximately $1 billion in client assets, the largest addition of the quarter. O'Neill Wealth Management in New Jersey contributed roughly $426 million, followed by Sapphire Blue Advisors in Michigan with about $305 million. KM Private Wealth, led by Kyle Martin in Alabama, added $194 million, while Axiom Capital Wealth Management, led by Bob Phinney in Massachusetts, brought $191 million. Integrity Financial Services, led by Jeff Seitz in Washington, joined through Steward's traditional affiliation model with $116 million in assets.
Chief Growth Officer frames the quarter as evidence of advisor demand for flexible deal structures
"Five of these six teams joined through M&A, but the larger story is choice," said Scott Danner, Chief Growth Officer at Steward Partners. "Different businesses need different paths, and our job is to meet them where they are and build the right partnership for what comes next."
Valerie Rivera, Chief Operating Officer for Strategic Growth, said the concentration of M&A deals in a single quarter reflects the rigor built into the firm's integration process rather than simple deal volume, noting that her team focuses on integrating operations, staff and clients without disruption.
First-half 2026 additions brought $6 billion across eleven teams, extending growth pace
The third-quarter activity follows a first half of 2026 in which Steward Partners added more than $6 billion in client assets across eleven advisor teams. Jeff Gonyo, Head of Wealth Management, said advisory businesses are not arriving at the same decision for the same reason and should not be forced into a single affiliation model, whether that means remaining independent, accelerating growth, creating liquidity or planning succession.
Firm reports $57 billion in total client assets and a #10 Barron's RIA ranking
Steward Partners reported more than $57 billion in client assets as of September 2026. The firm was ranked #10 on the 2026 Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list and named a 2025 Thrivent Employer of Choice by InvestmentNews. Several Steward Partners advisors and teams were also recognized on Forbes | SHOOK's 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors and Wealth Management Teams lists. The firm said it continues to expand in existing and emerging markets, supported by a pipeline of advisor teams and M&A opportunities in development.