Tracked deals
19
19 tracked deals across 2020-2026.
Financial Services Buyers & Acquisitions in South Carolina
Buyer mix
Strategic-led
18 strategic · 3 pe
Top trend
Volume peaked in 2026
7 tracked deals announced in 2026.
Primary Insight
What Stands Out
- Wealth management and RIAs are a central theme, with acquisitions like Sequoia Financial Group, LLC acquiring Family Asset Management and Perigon Wealth Management LLC acquiring Prudeo Partners.
- Insurance and employee benefits consolidation appears throughout, including The Hilb Group acquiring a South Carolina property & casualty and employee benefits agency and Warner Pacific acquiring Brokers Holding Group.
- Banking deals include Optus Financial Corporation’s agreement to acquire M&F Bancorp, Inc. (parent of Mechanics & Farmers Bank) in a merger expected to exceed $105 million.
- Platform and capability expansion shows up in acquisitions where firms integrate technology, operational support, and growth capital (e.g., GCG Advisory Partners joining Gunderson Capital Management to its RIA platform).
- Deal continuity is repeatedly framed as a client-and-team priority, with management roles and leadership continuity referenced in multiple announcements.
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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 | 2 | Leading global insurance brokerage and financial services... | Strategic (PE-backed) |
| CURO Group Holdings Corp. | 1 | Tech-enabled, omni-channel consumer finance company offer... | Strategic |
| First American Financial Corporation | 1 | Provider of title insurance, settlement services and risk... | Strategic |
| First Bancorp | 1 | Bank holding company and parent of First Bank, a state-ch... | Strategic |
| GCG Advisory Partners | 1 | Parent company of GCG Wealth Management that provides cap... | Strategic |
| Higginbotham | 1 | Employee-owned insurance and financial services brokerage... | Strategic |
| ISS Market Intelligence | 1 | Provider of data, insights and market engagement solution... | Strategic |
| ISS STOXX GmbH | 1 | Provider of data-centric research, index and technology s... | Strategic |
| LPL Financial Holdings Inc. | 1 | Leading wealth management firm and broker-dealer providin... | Strategic |
| Lovell Minnick Partners | 1 | Private equity firm focused on investments in financial s... | PE |
Acquisition Volume in Financial Services in South Carolina by Year
Last 7 years
Actual
Full-year estimate
Supporting Data
Recent Transactions
-
- Buyer
- Optus Financial Corporation
- Target
- M&F Bancorp, Inc., Mechanics & Farmers Bank
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Optus Financial Corporation (parent of Optus Bank) and M&F Bancorp, Inc. (parent of Mechanics & Farmers Bank) have signed a definitive merger agreement to combine two longstanding Minority Depository Institutions. Under the terms of the deal, M&F Bancorp will merge into Optus and M&F Bank will merge into Optus Bank for total consideration expected to exceed $105 million, with closing anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.
-
- Buyer
- Higginbotham
- Target
- Turbeville Insurance Agency
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Higginbotham, an employee-owned independent insurance and financial services company, announced it has joined forces with Turbeville Insurance Agency, an independent brokerage with four offices across South Carolina. The combined arrangement expands Higginbotham’s presence in South Carolina and provides Turbeville clients access to Higginbotham’s additional resources, while Turbeville employees gain an employee ownership path.
-
- Buyer
- Ty J. Young Wealth Management
- Target
- Moore Insurance Services
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Ty J. Young Wealth Management acquired Moore Insurance Services in a deal aimed at expanding its nationwide footprint and growing its retirement solutions offering. The announcement states that Moore Insurance Services’ CEO, David Moore, is stepping into retirement and the acquisition is intended to provide continuity for clients in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina region.
-
- Buyer
- GCG Advisory Partners
- Target
- Gunderson Capital Management
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Addon
GCG Advisory Partners (parent of GCG Wealth Management) announced that Gunderson Capital Management has joined its RIA platform. The partnership grants Gunderson Capital access to GCG’s technology, operational support, and growth capital, while Bill Gunderson becomes an Operating and Equity Partner at GCG. Financial terms were not disclosed.
-
February 7, 2026
- Buyer
- ISS Market Intelligence (ISS MI), ISS STOXX GmbH
- Target
- Family Office Access
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
ISS Market Intelligence (ISS MI), part of ISS STOXX GmbH, has acquired Family Office Access, a U.S.-based provider of family office intelligence and investor data. The acquisition integrates Family Office Access's database into ISS MI's MarketPro platform to expand coverage of family office profiles and strengthen go-to-market intelligence for clients across the wealth and financial services ecosystem.
-
February 1, 2026
- Buyer
- The Hilb Group
- Target
- South Carolina-based property and casualty insurance and employee benefits agency (unnamed)
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Addon
Hilb Group acquired a South Carolina-based property and casualty insurance and employee benefits agency with full-service risk solution capabilities. The acquisition took effect February 1, 2026 and expands Hilb Group’s presence and offerings across the Southeast, marking its 200th acquisition since 2009.
-
January 24, 2026
- Buyer
- Warner Pacific, Lovell Minnick Partners
- Target
- Brokers Holding Group
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Addon
Warner Pacific, a PE-backed national general agency, has acquired Brokers Holding Group (BHG), a South Carolina–based general agency specializing in level-funded health plans and alternative funding strategies. The deal expands Warner Pacific’s footprint across the Southeast (South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee) and deepens its capabilities in level-funded employee benefits while BHG will continue operating under its existing brand with co-owners Scott Lee and Lee Long remaining in leadership roles.
-
October 15, 2025
- Buyer
- Sixth Street
- Target
- Global Lending Services
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Global Lending Services (GLS) entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Sixth Street, a global investment firm. GLS and its long-tenured management team will continue to lead the company after the transaction; deal terms were not disclosed.
-
October 31, 2024
- Buyer
- Sequoia Financial Group, LLC
- Target
- Family Asset Management
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Akron, Ohio-based Sequoia Financial Group has acquired Family Asset Management (FAM), a Charleston, South Carolina-based SEC-registered investment advisory firm with roughly $300 million in assets under management. The acquisition expands Sequoia Financial's Southeast footprint and adds FAM's high-net-worth and multigenerational family advisory capabilities to Sequoia's wealth management and Sequoia Sentinel family office services; financial terms were not disclosed.
-
October 7, 2024
- Buyer
- Hub International Limited
- Target
- Creative Financial Strategies, LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Hub International Limited has acquired Creative Financial Strategies, LLC, a Columbia, South Carolina-based investment and financial advisory firm. The Creative Financial Strategies team, including president Terry A. Crenshaw and EVP William H. Phillips, will join Hub Carolinas to strengthen Hub's retirement and private wealth capabilities.
-
October 2, 2024
- Buyer
- Wealth Enhancement Group
- Target
- FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Addon
Wealth Enhancement Group has acquired FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, a hybrid RIA headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina that oversees approximately $2.39 billion in client assets. The 14-advisor team (plus 13 support staff) will join Wealth Enhancement Group as part of its continued Southeast expansion; Park Sutton Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to FinTrust.
-
February 14, 2024
- Buyer
- Perigon Wealth Management LLC
- Target
- Prudeo Partners
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Addon
Perigon Wealth Management acquired Prudeo Partners, a wealth management firm with offices in Reading, Pennsylvania and West Columbia, South Carolina, adding approximately $425 million in client assets to Perigon's platform. Terms were not disclosed; several Prudeo advisors and staff will join Perigon as partners and advisors, expanding Perigon's advisor-led footprint and AUM.
-
December 31, 2023
- Buyer
- Tangram Insurance Services, Inc.
- Target
- Preferred Reinsurance Intermediaries
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Tangram Insurance Services, a national managing general agency and program manager, acquired Preferred Reinsurance Intermediaries effective December 31, 2023. The deal expands Tangram's capabilities into the reinsurance brokerage market and brings Preferred Re's reinsurance placement, specialty program development, and alternative risk capacity sourcing expertise into Tangram's platform; terms were not disclosed.
-
- Buyer
- Hub International Limited
- Target
- Golden Green, Inc. d.b.a. Golden Corner Wealth Advisors
- Seller
- Golden Green, Inc., Jim Charbonneau
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Hub International Limited acquired the assets of Golden Green, Inc. d.b.a. Golden Corner Wealth Advisors, a Seneca, South Carolina-based financial advisory firm. The Golden Corner founder Jim Charbonneau and his team will join Hub Carolinas as part of Hub's effort to strengthen its Retirement and Private Wealth capabilities; terms were not disclosed.
-
January 1, 2023
- Buyer
- First Bancorp
- Target
- GrandSouth Bancorporation, GrandSouth Bank
- Seller
- GrandSouth Bancorporation, GrandSouth shareholders
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
First Bancorp (parent of First Bank) completed its acquisition of GrandSouth Bancorporation (the parent of GrandSouth Bank) effective January 1, 2023 in an all-stock merger (0.91 shares of First Bancorp per GrandSouth share). The deal expands First Bank's presence in South Carolina by adding GrandSouth's eight branches and is expected to accelerate First Bancorp's South Carolina growth, creating a combined company with approximately $12 billion in assets and 118 branches.
-
November 3, 2022
- Buyer
- LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
- Target
- Financial Resources Group Investment Services
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
LPL Financial Holdings Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Financial Resources Group Investment Services (FRGIS) in an equity purchase that included $140 million paid at closing plus additional earn-outs. FRGIS — a Fort Mill, South Carolina-based advisor and financial institution support business serving roughly $40 billion in assets across ~800 advisors and 85 financial institutions — will continue to operate independently and retain its brand and leadership following the transaction.
-
September 20, 2022
- Buyer
- PCF Insurance Services
- Target
- Peak Performance Team
- Seller
- Peak Performance Team / its owners, R. Michael Burgholzer
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
PCF Insurance Services, a top-20 U.S. insurance brokerage headquartered in Lehi, Utah, has acquired Peak Performance Team (PPT), a Surfside Beach, South Carolina–based finance & insurance (F&I) broker that provides extended warranties, vehicle service contracts, GAP and ancillary products to auto dealerships. The deal closed in mid‑July 2022 (terms undisclosed) and is intended to expand PCF's F&I product capabilities and national footprint.
-
November 17, 2021
- Buyer
- CURO Group Holdings Corp.
- Target
- Heights Finance
- Seller
- Milestone Partners
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
CURO Group Holdings Corp. completed the acquisition of Heights Finance from private equity firm Milestone Partners for $360 million ($335 million cash and $25 million stock). The deal expands CURO's branch footprint and installment-loan capabilities, adding roughly 400 branches and a loan portfolio serving underbanked and near-prime consumers across 11 U.S. states.
-
October 26, 2020
- Buyer
- First American Financial Corporation
- Target
- ServiceMac, LLC
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Location
- South Carolina, United States
- Type
- Buyout
First American Financial Corporation has completed the acquisition of ServiceMac, LLC, a mortgage subservicing firm. The deal makes ServiceMac a wholly‑owned subsidiary of First American to expand its mortgage servicing capabilities and accelerate product innovation across the mortgage life cycle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of financial services deals are most common in South Carolina here?
The page highlights acquisitions and mergers across wealth management/RIAs, insurance and employee benefits, banking, and financial advisory platforms—often positioned as expanding regional presence or adding capabilities.
Which buyers appear multiple times in the South Carolina activity?
Recurring names include Hub International Limited, CURO Group Holdings Corp., Perigon Wealth Management LLC, Wealth Enhancement Group, Sequoia Financial Group, LLC, ISS STOXX GmbH/ISS Market Intelligence (ISS MI), and Optus Financial Corporation.
Is there an example of a South Carolina banking acquisition on this page?
Yes. Optus Financial Corporation has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire M&F Bancorp, Inc. (parent of Mechanics & Farmers Bank) with total consideration expected to exceed $105 million, and closing anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Do the announcements emphasize leadership or service continuity?
Several deals explicitly reference continuity. For example, Ty J. Young Wealth Management noted the target CEO stepping into retirement with a continuity intent for clients, and Global Lending Services will continue to be led by its long-tenured management team after acquisition by Sixth Street (deal terms not disclosed).
Related Acquisition Pages
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Private Equity-Backed Financial Services Buyers
Financial Services Acquisitions in 2026
Financial Services Acquisitions in 2025
Financial Services Acquisitions in 2024
Financial Services Acquisitions in 2023
Financial Services Acquisitions in 2022
Financial Services Acquisitions in 2021
Acquisitions in South Carolina
Private Equity-Backed Acquisitions in South Carolina
Acquisitions in South Carolina in 2026