Tracked deals
108
108 tracked deals across 2014-2026.
Financial Services Buyers & Acquisitions in Illinois
Buyer mix
Strategic-led
96 strategic · 25 pe
Top trend
Volume peaked in 2025
23 tracked deals announced in 2025.
Primary Insight
What Stands Out
- Wintrust Private Trust Company and Wintrust Financial signed to purchase Northern Trust’s guardianship services business, with the guardianship team relocating to Wintrust and a later 2026 closing expected.
- Broker-dealer and advisory consolidation is a recurring theme, including Cambridge Investment Research acquiring WealthPlanners, LLC and Mesirow acquiring LeafHouse Financial Advisors.
- Insurance advisory and risk services are also represented: Winged Keel Group acquired SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions).
- Capital markets and regulated infrastructure deals appear, including Architect Financial Technologies acquiring IMX Health LLC with plans to launch a CFTC-regulated exchange (subject to regulatory review) and Payward acquiring Bitnomial to build a U.S. crypto derivatives platform.
| Deal theme seen in Illinois | Example buyer → target |
|---|---|
| Wealth & fiduciary advisory | Mesirow → LeafHouse Financial Advisors |
| Banking expansion | Brookfield Bancshares → NSTS Bancorp |
| Guardianship services | Wintrust Private Trust Company → Northern Trust guardianship business |
| Exchange/regulated infrastructure | Architect Financial Technologies → IMX Health LLC |
| Insurance advisory | Winged Keel Group → SBSI (dba NFP Insurance Solutions) |
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Top Buyers
Illustrative buyers pulled from tracked transactions on this page. This table is capped and intentionally non-exhaustive.
| Buyer | # Deals | Focus | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUB International Limited | 3 | Full-service global insurance brokerage and financial ser... | Strategic (PE-backed) |
| BlackRock | 2 | Global asset manager and financial technology provider fo... | Strategic |
| Blue Owl Capital Inc. | 2 | Public alternative asset manager investing across Credit,... | PE |
| CI Financial Corp. | 2 | Public asset and wealth management company operating inve... | Strategic |
| NFP | 2 | Leading insurance broker and benefits consultant offering... | Strategic |
| NinjaTrader Group, LLC | 2 | Provider of trading software and futures brokerage servic... | Strategic (PE-backed) |
| Rothschild Wealth Partners | 2 | Chicago-based registered investment advisor and broker-de... | Strategic |
| StoneX Group Inc. | 2 | Global financial services firm providing market access, e... | Strategic |
| 7RIDGE | 1 | Specialized growth equity firm investing in transformativ... | PE |
| AXA IM Prime | 1 | Private markets and hedge funds platform within AXA IM sp... | Strategic |
Acquisition Volume in Financial Services in Illinois by Year
Last 9 years
Actual
Full-year estimate
Supporting Data
Recent Transactions
-
August 31, 2026
- Buyer
- Landmark Credit Union
- Target
- North Shore Bank branch in McHenry, IL
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Divestiture
Landmark Credit Union completed its acquisition of the North Shore Bank branch located at 1689 N. Curran Rd. in McHenry, Illinois, adding more than $30 million in deposits to its portfolio. The deal included the physical branch and associated deposits, while excluding loan relationships; McHenry North Shore branch associates were offered continued employment with Landmark.
-
August 28, 2026
- Buyer
- Simplicity Group
- Target
- Wright Wealth Group, Inc.
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Simplicity Group acquired Wright Wealth Group, a Geneva, Illinois-based retail financial practice focused on estate and protection planning. The deal expands Simplicity’s presence in the greater Chicago market and strengthens its National Accounts team, with Wright founder Eric Wright joining Simplicity as a partner.
-
August 25, 2026
- Buyer
- The Vistria Group, LP, Curi, Wealth Partners Capital Group
- Target
- Curi Capital
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
Curi Capital, a Chicago-based registered investment adviser, announced a strategic investment from The Vistria Group that is expected to close in late September 2026. Vistria will become an ownership partner alongside Curi Capital’s employee owners and existing shareholders, including Curi and Wealth Partners Capital Group, to accelerate technology, talent, client experience, and strategic M&A growth.
-
August 12, 2026
- Buyer
- Atlas Merchant Capital LLC
- Target
- Edge Focus
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
Edge Focus announced a minority equity investment led by Atlas Merchant Capital. The capital will support hiring, expansion of Edge Focus’s proprietary consumer credit underwriting technology, and continued growth of its capital markets platform.
-
- Buyer
- Hamilton Lane, Cynosure Partners
- Target
- Savant Wealth Management
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Recapitalization
Cynosure Partners secured a $270 million minority continuation investment in Rockford, Illinois-based RIA aggregator Savant Wealth Management through a vehicle led by Hamilton Lane. The transaction injects fresh capital while giving earlier Cynosure investors an option for liquidity about 10 years after the original 2016 investment.
-
- Buyer
- Winged Keel Group
- Target
- SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions)
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Addon
Winged Keel Group acquired SBSI, Inc. (dba NFP Insurance Solutions), a Chicago-based independent insurance advisory firm serving ultra high net worth and family office clients nationwide. Winged Keel said it was working in cooperation with NFP Corp., an Aon company, but clarified that NFP Corp. did not sell SBSI and was not a party to the transaction.
-
July 7, 2026
- Buyer
- Wintrust Private Trust Company, Wintrust Financial
- Target
- Northern Trust guardianship services business
- Seller
- Northern Trust
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Wintrust Private Trust Company has entered into an agreement to purchase Northern Trust’s guardianship services business. The transaction is expected to close later in 2026, with Northern Trust’s guardianship team relocating to Wintrust and financial terms not disclosed.
-
May 28, 2026
- Buyer
- Architect Financial Technologies Inc.
- Target
- IMX Health LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Architect Financial Technologies Inc. acquired IMX Health LLC, a U.S. Designated Contract Market (DCM). Following the acquisition, Architect plans to launch the American Innovation Exchange (“AI Exchange”), a CFTC-regulated futures and options exchange focused on compute costs and other AI supply-chain inputs, subject to regulatory review.
-
May 12, 2026
- Buyer
- Brookfield Bancshares, Inc., First National Bank of Brookfield
- Target
- NSTS Bancorp, Inc., North Shore Trust and Savings
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Brookfield Bancshares, Inc. (holding company for First National Bank of Brookfield) and First National Bank of Brookfield announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire NSTS Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSTS) and its subsidiary North Shore Trust and Savings. The deal is an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $73.7 million, with NSTS stockholders receiving about $14.28 per share. The transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory and stockholder approvals.
-
May 7, 2026
- Buyer
- William Blair
- Target
- Inner Circle Sports
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
William Blair has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Inner Circle Sports, a boutique investment bank focused on sports, media, and entertainment. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deal is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Inner Circle Sports will continue operating under its existing brand for a period after the acquisition.
-
- Buyer
- Mesirow
- Target
- LeafHouse Financial Advisors, LeafHouse Financial Group (division: LeafHouse Financial Advisors), LeafHouse Financial Services (technology side; separate but tied via strategic investment)
- Seller
- LeafHouse Financial Group, Founders Advisors (sell-side financial advisor to LeafHouse)
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Mesirow has entered into an agreement to acquire LeafHouse Financial Advisors, a division of LeafHouse Financial Group, to expand Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions. The combined platform is expected to oversee approximately $138 billion in assets under management and advisement after closing, targeted for Q3 2026.
-
April 22, 2026
- Buyer
- Payward
- Target
- Bitnomial
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Payward entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bitnomial for up to $550 million in cash and stock, valuing Payward’s equity at about $20 billion. The deal combines Bitnomial’s fully CFTC-licensed U.S. derivatives infrastructure (exchange, clearinghouse, and brokerage) with Payward’s global distribution across Kraken and NinjaTrader, enabling regulated spot margin, perpetuals, and options for eligible U.S. clients.
-
- Buyer
- TMX Group Limited
- Target
- Cboe Australia, Cboe Canada
- Seller
- Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Divestiture
Cboe Global Markets announced it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian and Australian equities exchanges, Cboe Canada and Cboe Australia, to TMX Group Limited for an aggregate $300 million. The Australia and Canada transactions are expected to close separately, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
-
March 26, 2026
- Buyer
- Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
- Target
- WealthPlanners, LLC
- Seller
- Denny Gustin-Piazza
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Cambridge Investment Research, an independent broker-dealer and financial solutions firm, acquired WealthPlanners, LLC, a Des Plaines, Illinois wealth planning and benefits consulting firm. The deal is part of Cambridge’s advisor continuity and succession strategy and will integrate WealthPlanners into a newly formed employed-advisor group (“Cambridge WealthPlanners”).
-
March 12, 2026
- Buyer
- ServBanc Holdco, Inc., Servbank, National Association
- Target
- IF Bancorp, Inc., Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan Association, Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan Association (bank subsidiary referenced as “Iroquois Federal”)
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
ServBanc Holdco, Inc. (the holding company for Servbank) completed its acquisition of IF Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: IROQ) and its subsidiary Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan Association. The deal expands Servbank’s Illinois footprint into central Illinois and includes integration of Servbank’s subservicing platform, technology, and personnel. Former IF Bancorp branch offices will continue operating under the Iroquois Federal name until customer and data conversion is completed (anticipated in Q4 2026).
-
- Buyer
- Hightower Advisors
- Target
- Journey Strategic Wealth
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Addon
Hightower Advisors entered into an agreement to acquire Journey Strategic Wealth, adding about $5 billion in assets under management to its Hightower Signature Wealth (HTSW) platform. The transaction is expected to close at the end of the month/first quarter, expanding HTSW’s national footprint and capabilities for both clients and advisors.
-
- Buyer
- HBT Financial, Inc.
- Target
- CNB Bank Shares, Inc., CNB Bank Trust, N.A., CNB Bank
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
HBT Financial, Inc. completed its merger with CNB Bank Shares, Inc., the holding company for CNB Bank. Following the transaction, CNB became a wholly-owned subsidiary of HBT, and CNB Bank merged into HBT’s subsidiary Heartland Bank. The combined organization expands HBT Financial’s footprint across central Illinois and the Chicago and St. Louis metro areas.
-
January 16, 2026
- Buyer
- Nant Global Finance, Inc.
- Target
- TradingBlock
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
TradingBlock, a Chicago-based online brokerage, said it will join Nant Global Finance, Inc., a newly formed capital markets platform focused on modernizing public-market infrastructure using blockchain-enabled settlement technology, subject to final FINRA approvals. The companies said TradingBlock customers should see no immediate changes to platforms, tools, or account relationships, and that TradingBlock will continue operating as a regulated broker-dealer while it works with Nant on longer-term initiatives.
-
January 12, 2026
- Buyer
- Rothschild Wealth Partners
- Target
- Windgate Wealth Management
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Chicago-based Rothschild Wealth Partners has acquired Windgate Wealth Management, an independent advisory firm managing over $200 million in client assets. The deal expands Rothschild's advisory footprint in the Chicago market and brings Windgate leaders onto Rothschild's platform to broaden services for high-net-worth individuals, families and business owners.
-
January 1, 2026
- Buyer
- First Financial Bancorp
- Target
- BankFinancial Corporation
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
First Financial Bancorp agreed to acquire Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $142 million. The deal is intended to expand First Financial’s presence in the Chicago market, adding 18 financial centers and BankFinancial’s consumer, trust/wealth management, and selected commercial lending capabilities.
-
December 8, 2025
- Buyer
- Waverly Advisors, LLC
- Target
- Promus Holdings, LLC
- Seller
- Promus Holdings, LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Divestiture
Waverly Advisors has acquired certain business lines from Chicago-based Promus Holdings, adding approximately $3.1 billion of AUM and expanding Waverly's private equity, real estate, and multi-family office capabilities. The deal closed November 14, 2025; financial and legal terms were not disclosed, and Waverly formed a new subsidiary, Promus Capital Management, to operate the acquired strategies.
-
November 14, 2025
- Buyer
- Merit Financial Advisors
- Target
- Blueprint Wealth Advisors, LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Addon
Merit Financial Advisors has acquired Blueprint Wealth Advisors, adding $1.2 billion in assets and expanding Merit's presence in Illinois and Wisconsin, including entry into the Chicago market. Blueprint’s managing partners Ryan Evans and Nick Wilkins will join Merit as Regional Directors and Partners; FP Transitions served as advisor and financial terms were not disclosed.
-
- Buyer
- Rothschild Wealth Partners
- Target
- Siligmueller & Norvid Wealth Advisors
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Rothschild Wealth Partners, a Chicago-based registered investment advisor and broker-dealer, has acquired Siligmueller & Norvid Wealth Advisors (SNWA), an independent Glen Ellyn, Illinois wealth advisory firm managing about $300 million in client assets. The deal expands Rothschild's presence in the Chicago area and adds SNWA’s client relationships and advisory capabilities to Rothschild’s platform.
-
September 30, 2025
- Buyer
- Savant Wealth Management
- Target
- Gryphon Advisors
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Savant Wealth Management, a fee-only RIA headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, acquired Evanston-based Gryphon Advisors, a fee-only RIA with approximately $557 million in AUM. The deal closed Sept. 30, 2025; Gryphon’s seven employees transitioned to Savant, and the firm’s three principals joined as member-owners, expanding Savant’s Chicagoland presence and adding tax capabilities.
-
September 2, 2025
- Buyer
- ORIX Corporation USA, ORIX Corporation USA (ORIX USA)
- Target
- Hilco Global
- Seller
- Hilco Global executive leadership team (retaining minority equity ownership)
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
ORIX Corporation USA (ORIX USA) acquired a majority equity ownership of Hilco Global, with Hilco Global operating as a subsidiary of ORIX USA. Hilco Global will reorganize into two divisions—Professional Services and Capital Solutions—while its executive leadership retains a minority equity stake.
-
August 29, 2025
- Buyer
- Apella Wealth
- Target
- Park Piedmont Advisors
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Addon
Apella Wealth has acquired Park Piedmont Advisors, a fee-only advisory firm led by brothers Nick and Tom Levinson, adding over $1 billion in AUM and establishing Apella’s presence in Chicago. The deal is an add-on to Apella’s platform (which is partnered with Wealth Partners Capital Group) and expands Apella’s national footprint and resources for Park Piedmont’s clients.
-
August 26, 2025
- Buyer
- Daybright Financial
- Target
- Hessel & Associates, LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Addon
Daybright Financial has acquired Hessel & Associates, LLC, a Lincolnshire, Illinois–based pension consulting firm and third-party administrator (TPA). The deal expands Daybright's Private Sector Retirement Solutions presence into the Midwest, with Hessel founder's daughter Brooke Hessel Cline continuing as Managing Partner within Daybright.
-
August 7, 2025
- Buyer
- Ocorian
- Target
- E78 Fund Solutions
- Seller
- Element 78 Partners LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Ocorian has completed its acquisition of E78 Fund Solutions from Element 78 Partners LLC; E78 will rebrand to Ocorian later this fall and its management team will join Ocorian's US leadership. The deal expands Ocorian's fund administration, outsourced CFO, tax and compliance capabilities in the United States, bringing on a team that supports nearly 200 managers with about $85 billion in assets under management.
-
August 4, 2025
- Buyer
- Apollo Global Management, BlackRock, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, Composition Capital, GeoWealth
- Target
- GeoWealth
- Seller
- Freedom Advisors
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
GeoWealth raised $38 million in a Series C round led by Apollo, with participation from BlackRock, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Kayne Anderson (sub-advised by Composition Capital), to accelerate its UMA and public-private model portfolio capabilities. In conjunction with the funding, GeoWealth formed a strategic partnership with Apollo and completed the acquisition of TAMP assets from Freedom Advisors to strengthen its product and operations offering for RIAs.
-
- Buyer
- Azimut Group, Azimut US Holdings Inc.
- Target
- North Square Investments
- Seller
- Estancia Capital Partners
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
North Square Investments (NSI) has signed a binding agreement to be acquired by Azimut Group through its US subsidiary Azimut US Holdings Inc. The deal is expected to close in early 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. As part of the agreement, Kennedy Capital Management—an Azimut Group company—will become a subsidiary of North Square, which will be renamed Azimut NSI. Azimut NSI’s AUM is projected to rise to over $20 billion post-closing.
-
- Buyer
- Maridea Wealth Management
- Target
- Pinnacle Wealth Management
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Maridea Wealth Management has acquired Pinnacle Wealth Management, a Chicago-based advisory firm led by veteran advisor Brian Sheehy. Pinnacle will move from LPL Financial to Maridea's independent RIA platform, strengthening Maridea's Midwest presence and expanding its advisor and client capabilities; Green Sail Capital Partners served as exclusive sell-side advisor.
-
- Buyer
- New York Mortgage Trust
- Target
- Constructive Loans
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
New York Mortgage Trust (NYSE: NYMT) acquired the remaining 50% interest in Constructive Loans in an all-cash transaction, bringing Constructive wholly under NYMT ownership while preserving its independent subsidiary operations and leadership. The deal strengthens NYMT’s origination capabilities and recurring income profile by integrating Constructive’s proprietary origination channels and distribution network focused on business-purpose loans for residential real estate investors.
-
June 2, 2025
- Buyer
- Octus
- Target
- Sky Road
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Octus (formerly Reorg) has acquired Sky Road, a provider of credit portfolio management solutions, to integrate portfolio management, trading/OMS, compliance and optimization capabilities with Octus' credit intelligence, data and document-management offerings. The combination creates a unified, end-to-end credit management platform for buy-side and structured credit managers, embedding Octus' data and AI into Sky Road's Galaxy platform.
-
May 15, 2025
- Buyer
- Acorns
- Target
- EarlyBird
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Acorns has acquired EarlyBird, a family-focused investment gifting and digital memory platform. EarlyBird will shut down and customer accounts will be closed on June 23, while founders Jordan Wexler and Caleb Frankel join Acorns to help build out the Acorns Early product; financial terms were not disclosed.
-
April 16, 2025
- Buyer
- StoneX Group Inc.
- Target
- R.J. O'Brien & Associates (RJO)
- Seller
- O'Brien family (majority shareholders)
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
StoneX Group has reached a definitive agreement to merge all of R.J. O'Brien & Associates’ global businesses into StoneX, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The combined firm is expected to become a leading U.S. futures commission merchant (FCM), combining RJO’s client network and clearing capabilities with StoneX’s liquidity and risk management infrastructure.
-
- Buyer
- NorthRock Partners
- Target
- Tony Pondel advisory practice
- Seller
- Tony Pondel
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
NorthRock Partners acquired the advisory practice of veteran advisor Tony Pondel, adding his team to NorthRock’s Chicago-area presence. The deal expands NorthRock’s footprint in the Chicago market and integrates Pondel’s expertise into the firm’s Personal Office wealth management model.
-
March 31, 2025
- Buyer
- Wendel, AXA IM Prime
- Target
- Monroe Capital LLC
- Seller
- Monroe Capital management, Bonaccord Capital Partners
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Wendel has completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in Monroe Capital LLC alongside AXA IM Prime, taking approximately 75% ownership while Monroe management retains a minority interest. Wendel invested roughly $1.13 billion and committed seed and GP capital (up to $1.0 billion total) plus an $800 million sponsor program to accelerate Monroe’s private credit platform; Monroe will continue to operate independently under its current leadership.
-
March 24, 2025
- Buyer
- JLL
- Target
- Javelin Capital
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
JLL announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Javelin Capital, a North America-based renewable energy investment banking firm. The deal is expected to close shortly, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, and is intended to expand JLL’s U.S. Energy & Infrastructure Capital Markets capabilities in the clean energy transition.
-
- Buyer
- SmartBiz (SmartBiz Loans / SmartBiz Bank, N.A.)
- Target
- United Community Bancshares, Inc., Centrust Bank, N.A.
- Seller
- United Community Bancshares, Inc.
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
SmartBiz (formerly SmartBiz Loans) closed its acquisition of United Community Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Centrust Bank, N.A., receiving regulatory approval to operate as a bank and bank holding company under the SmartBiz Bancshares, Inc. banner. The deal brings Centrust’s commercial banking team and SBA lending capabilities into SmartBiz Bank to expand technology-enabled lending and full-service banking for small and medium-sized businesses nationwide.
-
January 31, 2025
- Buyer
- Clearstead Advisors, LLC
- Target
- Waveland Family Office LLC
- Seller
- Waveland Family Office LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Addon
Clearstead Advisors, a Cleveland-based RIA backed by Flexpoint Ford, has acquired the assets of Waveland Family Office LLC, a northern Chicago suburban family office with approximately $420 million AUM. The deal closed January 31; Waveland’s six employees will join Clearstead and principals Allen C. Berg and Dennis Zaslavsky will join as equity partners, expanding Clearstead’s Midwest presence and capabilities.
-
- Buyer
- Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
- Target
- American Financial Exchange (AFX)
- Seller
- 7RIDGE
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has acquired 100% of the American Financial Exchange (AFX) from 7RIDGE. The purchase brings AFX's interbank lending marketplace and the AMERIBOR benchmark into ICE's broader index and mortgage technology network to expand capabilities for regional, midsize and community banks.
-
January 6, 2025
- Buyer
- Blue Owl Capital Inc.
- Target
- IPI Partners, LLC
- Seller
- IPI Partners, LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Blue Owl Capital Inc. completed the acquisition of the business of digital infrastructure fund manager IPI Partners, LLC. The deal brings IPI's digital infrastructure capabilities and AUM into Blue Owl's Real Estate platform and appoints IPI Managing Partner Matt A'Hearn to lead Blue Owl's digital infrastructure strategy.
-
December 15, 2024
- Buyer
- Summit Financial, Summit Growth Partners (SGP)
- Target
- Midway Wealth Partners
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
Summit Financial, through its Summit Growth Partners (SGP) partnership, made a strategic minority investment in Midway Wealth Partners, a Chicagoland-based wealth advisory team managing approximately $550 million in client assets. Midway will continue to operate under its existing leadership while gaining access to Summit's platform resources, capital, and multi-family office services to support growth and expand Summit's presence in Illinois.
-
October 24, 2024
- Buyer
- The Marygold Companies, Inc.
- Target
- Midland Capital Holdings Corporation, Midland Federal Savings and Loan Association
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
The Marygold Companies, Inc. (NYSE American: MGLD) purchased a 7.95% ownership position in Delaware-based Midland Capital Holdings Corporation (MCHC) for $1.8 million, and also received warrants to buy additional shares. MCHC's principal operating entity is Midland Federal Savings and Loan Association, headquartered in Bridgeview, Illinois; Marygold says the investment supports its strategy of expanding in financial services/fintech and will help enhance the bank's offerings and technology.
-
October 1, 2024
- Buyer
- Mission Wealth Management, LP
- Target
- Stonepath Wealth Management LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Mission Wealth Management, LP has merged with Stonepath Wealth Management LLC, bringing Stonepath founder Cray J. Coppins III into Mission Wealth as its 38th equity partner. The deal expands Mission Wealth’s Midwest/Greater Chicago presence (an office in the Highland Park area is planned) and strengthens advisory capacity for clients in Illinois; Mission Wealth manages roughly $9.1 billion in client assets.
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September 20, 2024
- Buyer
- Midfed Acquisition Corp.
- Target
- Midland Capital Holdings Corporation, Midland Federal Savings and Loan Association
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Midfed Acquisition Corp., led by bank executives and investors, has acquired Midland Capital Holdings Corporation, the holding company of Midland Federal Savings and Loan Association, in a transaction that paid $31.65 per share and resulted in MCPH delisting from the OTC Pink Market. The deal gives the new owners control of Midland Federal’s four Illinois branches and is intended to expand product offerings, enhance technology and improve community convenience for the bank’s customers.
-
September 6, 2024
- Buyer
- C&R Software
- Target
- SpringFour
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
C&R Software, part of the CORA Group, has acquired SpringFour, a pioneering financial-health fintech, to bolster its collections, recovery and financial health capabilities. SpringFour will continue to operate as a standalone brand under CEO Rochelle Nawrocki Gorey, and the acquisition is intended to expand SpringFour's reach and enhance C&R's product offering for clients worldwide.
-
August 30, 2024
- Buyer
- Mutual Federal Bank, Mutual Federal Bancorp, MHC, Mutual Federal Bancorp, Inc.
- Target
- Pulaski Savings Bank
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Mutual Federal Bank and Pulaski Savings Bank announced plans to merge, with Mutual Federal continuing as the surviving institution. The merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory and member/shareholder approvals.
-
- Buyer
- Janus Henderson Group
- Target
- Victory Park Capital Advisors
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Janus Henderson Group entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Victory Park Capital Advisors (VPC), a global private credit manager headquartered in Chicago. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals, with consideration paid via cash and Janus Henderson common stock.
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July 24, 2024
- Buyer
- n2 Group
- Target
- STAC (STAC Research)
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- Illinois, United States
- Type
- Buyout
n2 Group has completed the acquisition of STAC, the leading financial services technology performance specialist, with STAC to operate as an independent business within the n2 Group. The deal brings STAC's benchmarking, research and events capabilities into the n2 portfolio to expand the group's offerings for low-latency trading, big compute, big data and AI/ML use cases while preserving STAC's impartial status.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What types of financial services acquisitions are featured for Illinois?
The page highlights acquisitions across wealth management and fiduciary advisory, banking, insurance advisory, and capital markets/exchange or derivatives infrastructure.
Are any deals on this page expected to close later in 2026?
Yes. For example, Wintrust Private Trust Company’s agreement to buy Northern Trust’s guardianship services business is expected to close later in 2026 (with terms not disclosed), and Brookfield Bancshares’ merger is anticipated to close in Q4 2026, subject to approvals.
Do any transactions involve brand continuity or name changes after closing?
Yes. Some deals state that operations continue under the existing target name for a period after acquisition—for instance, RPI Financial Life Planners is expected to continue operating under its name following a partnership involving Stratos Wealth Enterprises; and Inner Circle Sports is expected to continue operating under its existing brand for a period after William Blair’s acquisition.
Are regulated exchanges or derivatives infrastructure deals included?
Yes. Architect Financial Technologies acquired IMX Health LLC with plans for a CFTC-regulated exchange, and Payward agreed to acquire Bitnomial to support a fully CFTC-licensed U.S. crypto derivatives platform.
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