Financial Services Acquisitions in New Jersey

Bluespring Wealth Partners announced that Kestra-affiliated Front Porch Financial, founded by Elizabeth Blanchard, has merged into Bluespring partner firm U.S. Financial Services, creating a combined firm with roughly $1.7 billion in AUM. The transaction brings Front Porch's Cranford, New Jersey practice into U.S. Financial's network as part of a succession plan and to expand U.S. Financial's geographic footprint and service resources.

A joint venture formed by Robinhood Markets and Susquehanna International Group acquired 90% of MIAX Derivatives Exchange (MIAXdx) from Miami International Holdings, which retained a 10% stake. The deal gives Robinhood and SIG a CFTC‑registered designated contract market and derivatives clearing organization to accelerate the firms' entry and capability expansion into prediction markets and derivatives trading.

Kinective has acquired Compuflex Corporation, a Springfield, New Jersey–based provider of cash automation and currency-tracking solutions with more than 40 years of experience. The deal expands Kinective’s cash automation and device management capabilities, bringing Compuflex’s customer relationships and technical expertise into Kinective’s banking operations platform.

Perigon Wealth Management has acquired Gitterman Wealth Management and Gitterman Asset Management, bringing an estimated $1.3 billion of client assets onto Perigon’s platform. Gitterman partners Jeffrey Gitterman and Eli Rauch will join Perigon as Managing Directors as the deal expands Perigon’s advisory capabilities and assets under management.

World Insurance Associates, a national insurance brokerage based in Iselin, New Jersey, has acquired Jersey Coast Insurance, a Margate City, New Jersey–based insurance agency. The deal, which closed October 1, 2025, expands World’s New Jersey footprint and adds Jersey Coast’s coastal property and flood-risk expertise to World’s product and service capabilities; financial terms were not disclosed.

First Manhattan has added Roanoke Asset Management, a New Jersey–based registered investment advisor, as team members join the firm with Edwin Vroom and Adele Weisman serving as Senior Managing Directors and Portfolio Managers. The move brings Roanoke's ~$350 million AUM capabilities and client relationships into First Manhattan to expand the firm's wealth management and portfolio management capabilities while leveraging First Manhattan's operational scale and research.

Delta Capita has acquired the Report Hub pre- and post-trade reporting solution from The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). The purchase expands Delta Capita’s regulatory reporting and managed services capabilities, extending its client reach across banks, hedge funds and asset managers globally.

Hanwha Life completed the acquisition of a 75% stake in U.S.-based Velocity Clearing, LLC on July 30, 2025, purchasing the majority stake from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management. The deal gives the South Korean insurer its first U.S. securities firm, providing a platform for North American market entry and synergies with Hanwha Asset Management (USA) and the Hanwha AI Center to accelerate product and geographic expansion.

Simplicity Group Holdings has acquired DuVall Financial Group, a brokerage general agency that supports independent insurance agents with insurance, marketing and retirement planning solutions. DuVall will rebrand to "Simplicity DFG" and its leadership team (Gaines DuVall, Paul Hazard, and JP Penzkover) will join as Simplicity Partners to help expand agent offerings and distribution.

ACA Group, a leading governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) advisor, has acquired Global Trading Analytics (GTA), an independent provider of transaction cost analysis (TCA) and best-execution services. The deal brings TCA capabilities into ACA’s ComplianceAlpha-driven offerings to expand regulatory technology and analytics capabilities for institutional clients.

Amwins has acquired Nelligan, an independent general agency specializing in group ancillary benefits, to expand Amwins' ancillary benefit capabilities within its Group Benefits division. The transaction closed April 1, 2025; Nelligan brings approximately $850 million in-force premium, 400+ broker relationships, 80+ carrier partnerships and 52 employees to Amwins.

World Investments, Inc. announced the acquisition of Freeman & Vannauker LLC, an independent financial services practice based in Freehold, New Jersey, bringing approximately $190 million in assets under management into World’s network. Freeman & Vannauker is migrating its RIA and broker-dealer accounts to World Investments to streamline operations and expand the buyer’s presence in the New York City metro area.

Carson Group announced the acquisition of Taylor Financial Group, a 10-person, women-owned wealth management firm managing $385 million in assets and based in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. The deal brings tax strategy expert Debbie Taylor into Carson to lead a new Carson Tax Strategy program launching in Q1 2025 and expands Carson's tax-planning capabilities for its advisor network.

TPG will make a strategic minority growth investment in Demopolis Equity Partners through its TPG NEXT strategy, providing growth capital and operational support to help scale the Demopolis platform. Demopolis, a technology-focused lower-middle-market private equity firm founded in 2022, will gain access to TPG's capital formation, capital markets, sourcing, and diligence capabilities.

Wealth Enhancement Group has acquired M&R Capital Management, an independent RIA based in Summit, New Jersey that manages over $536 million in client assets. The three-advisor team (plus three support staff) will join Wealth Enhancement Group to access its centralized services and expand the firm's presence in New Jersey.

GTCR, alongside Recognize, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire TRANZACT in a corporate carve-out from WTW PLC for $632.4 million. TRANZACT — a Fort Lee, New Jersey–based direct-to-consumer insurance services and customer-acquisition platform — will operate as an independent company led by Andy Nelson and will receive capital to expand and enhance its marketing, sales and technology capabilities for insurance carriers.

LPL Financial has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire The Investment Center, Inc., a Bedminster, New Jersey-based broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that supports approximately 240 advisors and services about $9 billion of brokerage and advisory assets. The Investment Center will be converted onto LPL's platform; the transaction is expected to close and convert in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Pittsburgh-based Solenture, a consulting and wealth-management firm, has acquired Somerville, New Jersey–based Reedmark Advisors, an SEC-registered investment advisor with approximately $400 million in assets under management. The acquisition, effective September 1, 2024, adds Reedmark’s retirement-plan consulting and actuarial capabilities to Solenture’s advisory platform and increases Solenture’s assets under supervision to over $1 billion.

Warburg Pincus has committed a $100 million growth investment in Miami International Holdings (MIH) to accelerate MIAX’s global expansion, fund construction of a physical trading floor for MIAX Sapphire in Miami, and support development of trading, matching-engine and clearing technology across MIH’s exchanges. The investment, which may be expanded subject to conditions, includes Warburg Pincus board participation and will also fund MIH’s further product development and potential acquisitions internationally.

SkyKnight Capital and Dragoneer Investment Group have agreed to make a majority investment in Simplicity Group Holdings, providing liquidity to employee partners and acquiring interests held by funds managed by Lee Equity Partners. The recapitalization is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals; financial terms were not disclosed.

The Retirement Planning Group (TRPG), Cetera's employee-based RIA, has acquired Watters Financial Services, a Paramus, New Jersey-based father-son wealth management practice with roughly $180 million in assets under management. Three employees and about 130 clients will join TRPG as the firm expands its AUM and advisor footprint following TRPG's own acquisition by Cetera.

World Insurance Associates LLC acquired the business of Skylands Insurance Group (Flanders, NJ) effective August 1, 2024; terms were not disclosed. Skylands, founded in 2017, provides property, casualty, life and health insurance to businesses and individuals and will now operate as part of World, expanding World’s local footprint and product/service offerings.

CW Advisors (CWA), a Boston-based SEC-registered investment advisor, has acquired Mercadien Asset Management, an RIA based in Hamilton, New Jersey. Terms were not disclosed; the deal expands CWA's Mid-Atlantic footprint and is the third acquisition since CWA partnered with Audax Private Equity in June 2023.

Lightyear Capital has made a strategic investment to acquire Prime Pensions, a Florham Park, New Jersey–headquartered third-party administrator of retirement plans, from Mill Point Capital. Prime Pensions serves over 11,000 clients, employs more than 225 people across seven locations, and Lightyear says it will partner with management to accelerate growth and expand capabilities.

Princeton Bancorp, Inc., the parent of The Bank of Princeton, agreed to acquire Cornerstone Financial Corporation, the holding company of Cornerstone Bank, in a stock-and-cash merger valued at approximately $17.9 million. The deal, approved by both boards, will add Cornerstone’s ~ $321 million in assets and six branch locations to Princeton’s footprint in southern New Jersey and is expected to close in mid-2024 pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Simplicity Group Holdings, Inc. acquired Breakthrough Insurance Group (BIG), a New Jersey-based full-service life, annuity, and long-term care insurance general agency. The acquisition integrates BIG into Simplicity’s distribution platform and names Tim Kelly as a partner to leverage Simplicity’s carrier relationships, products, and marketing and sales support.

The Vistria Group has entered a strategic partnership to acquire a majority stake in U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners (USRBP), with Kohlberg & Company remaining as a minority investor. The investment is intended to accelerate USRBP’s growth, expand its capabilities and continue M&A momentum to better serve K-12, government, corporate and non-profit clients.

Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH) has completed its acquisition of LedgerX LLC from Ledger Holdings Inc. in connection with the FTX debtors' bankruptcy proceedings. LedgerX is a CFTC-regulated derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, and MIH said the purchase expands its ability to offer new products to the swaps and futures industry.

July Business Services (JULY), a Waco, Texas–based provider of 401(k) plan services, has acquired Turning Point Associates, a family-owned retirement plan recordkeeper and administrator based in Swedesboro, New Jersey. The deal expands JULY's scale to nearly 7,000 plans and $8.5 billion in plan assets, brings Turning Point personnel into JULY, and aims to deliver JULY's technology and expanded services to Turning Point clients.

Mangrove Equity Partners has sold Shields Business Solutions, a Moorestown, New Jersey-based provider of ATM/ITM sales, service and cash-in-transit solutions. The transaction follows Mangrove’s multi-year partnership with Shields to strengthen management, implement ERP systems and expand sales; public disclosures identify a partnership with Egis Capital Partners around the same period.

Wealth Enhancement Group acquired BFS Wealth Management, a hybrid registered investment advisor based in Iselin, New Jersey that oversees roughly $523 million in client assets. The deal expands Wealth Enhancement Group’s footprint in the New York–New Jersey–Connecticut Tri‑State region to 12 offices and brings a team of three advisors and six support staff onto its national platform.

Ambac Financial Group has acquired majority stakes in All Trans Risk Solutions, LLC and Capacity Marine Corporation, adding roughly $60 million of premium placed to its specialty P&C distribution platform, Cirrata Group. The deals expand Ambac's underwriting and wholesale brokerage capabilities in transportation-focused commercial automobile and marine insurance markets.

OneDigital Investment Advisors, the SEC-registered subsidiary of OneDigital, has acquired KB Financial Partners, LLC and KB Financial Advisory Partners, LLC, a New Jersey–based wealth management, family office, and corporate finance advisory firm. The 28-person KB team will expand OneDigital's wealth management and family office capabilities and increases OneDigital Investment Advisors' assets under management to approximately $107.8 billion.

The Real Brokerage Inc. agreed to acquire LemonBrew Lending Corp. from LemonBrew Technologies Corp. for an aggregate purchase price of $1.25 million, payable in cash and Real common shares. The acquisition brings a tech-enabled mortgage platform and its CEO Samir Dedhia (with ~25 employees) into Real to expand its end-to-end home buying capabilities across the U.S.

Integrity Marketing Group has entered into an agreement to acquire Gladstone Wealth Partners, a hybrid RIA overseeing more than $13 billion in assets under management. The deal brings Gladstone’s wealth-management capabilities into Integrity’s life and health insurance and insurtech platform to deliver more holistic life, health and wealth solutions; financial terms were not disclosed and the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

NFP has acquired Quantum Risk Solutions, LLC, a specialist managing general underwriter/wholesaler focused on transportation-related commercial risk. The deal (closed July 15, 2022) expands NFP’s MGA/MGU platform and brings underwriting capabilities for auto transporters, towing/collateral recovery, nonemergency EMT and specialty haulers.

Simplicity Group, a Summit, New Jersey-based financial product distribution platform, has acquired Life Policy Pros, Inc., a New Jersey life insurance distribution firm. Founder Michael Kelly will join Simplicity as a partner and continue to lead day-to-day operations of Life Policy Pros as it transitions to the Simplicity brand.

Raymond James Financial has completed the acquisition of SumRidge Partners, a technology-driven fixed income market maker, adding its institutional market-making operation and trading technologies to Raymond James' Fixed Income Capital Markets division. SumRidge, based in Jersey City, New Jersey with about 45 employees, will operate within FICM under co-founders Tom O'Brien and Kevin Morano, who will become senior managing directors.

Columbia Financial, Inc. (the holding company of Columbia Bank) has received regulatory approvals to complete its acquisition of RSI Bancorp M.H.C., RSI Bancorp, Inc. and RSI Bank. The deal, which expands Columbia's New Jersey branch footprint by adding RSI Bank (headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey), was expected to close on May 1, 2022, and was subject to customary closing conditions.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has completed its acquisition of Investors Bancorp, Inc., merging Investors and Investors Bank into Citizens and Citizens Bank, National Association respectively. The deal adds more than 200 branches and over 1,600 employees, strengthening Citizens' retail and commercial banking presence across the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas and throughout New Jersey.

Empower has completed its $3.5 billion acquisition of Prudential Financial’s full-service retirement business, adding more than 1,800 employees and expanding Empower’s reach to over 17.1 million retirement participants with roughly $1.4 trillion in assets under administration. The deal transfers Prudential’s defined contribution, defined benefit, non‑qualified and rollover IRA business as well as stable value and separate account investment products and platforms to Empower, broadening Empower’s product set and scale across employer, government and not‑for‑profit retirement markets.

Funds managed by affiliates of HPS Investment Partners LLC completed the acquisition of Marlin Business Services Corp. on January 20, 2022 for $23.50 per share in an all-cash transaction. Marlin becomes a wholly owned subsidiary and will be integrated into HPS's Global Leasing Platforms (including PEAC UK and PEAC Europe) to expand equipment financing capabilities and market reach for small-business customers and dealer partners.

OneDigital Investment Advisors, a subsidiary of OneDigital, has acquired the assets of Gouldin & McCarthy, LLC, a Basking Ridge, New Jersey-based personal financial planning and retirement plan consulting firm. The deal brings the G&M team into OneDigital to expand its wealth management and retirement consulting capabilities across the Northeast and deepen services for small-to-medium businesses and high-net-worth clients.

Integrity Marketing Group has acquired The Diversified Companies, an independent marketing organization (IMO) headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. The Diversified executive team will join Integrity as Managing Partners to expand Integrity's presence in the Northeast and gain access to Integrity's technology, data and centralized services; financial terms were not disclosed.

World Insurance Associates LLC (WIA), a Tinton Falls-based insurance consolidator, acquired SAS Insurance Agency, Inc. of Kearny, New Jersey effective December 31, 2021. SAS, founded in 1965 and owned by Michael Symeonides since 2002, will continue operating from its existing location with its professional staff as part of WIA's expanding broker network.

STP Investment Services has acquired third-party fund administrator Tower Fund Services to expand its alternative asset fund administration capabilities and bring Tower clients onto STP's BluePrint technology platform. The transaction strengthens STP's alternative investing offering and aims to deliver enhanced operational technology and service to Tower's clients.

Columbia Financial, Inc. (Columbia Bank) received required regulatory approvals to acquire Freehold MHC, Freehold Bancorp and Freehold Bank. The transaction, announced Nov. 24, 2021, was expected to close on December 1, 2021 and aims to expand Columbia's New Jersey branch network and realize cost savings from the combination.

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation agreed to acquire Princeton Portfolio Strategies Group, LLC (PPSG), a Princeton, New Jersey-based wealth management and portfolio advisory firm with approximately $550 million in assets under management. PPSG’s partners and team will join Peapack Private, the bank’s wealth management division; the transaction is expected to close in Q3 2021 pending regulatory approval and is anticipated to be immediately accretive to earnings.

Simplicity Group has acquired American Financial Network, a specialty life and annuity insurance distribution business, effective March 31, 2021. The transaction makes American Financial Network the latest distribution organization to join Simplicity's group of companies and brings Gregory E. Nemec and Greg A. Nemec in as partners/shareholders of Simplicity.

Prime Pensions LLC, a Mill Point Capital portfolio company, acquired the assets of Squire Retirement Plan Services, Inc., a Verona, New Jersey-based retirement plan administration and actuarial services provider. The asset purchase expands Prime Pensions' client base and geographic presence in the Northeastern United States while adding complementary retirement-plan capabilities.