Wealth Management Acquisitions in Iowa

Apella Wealth announced that Iron Horse Wealth Management, a fee-only RIA led by Dennis Markway, has joined Apella, adding $574 million in AUM and establishing Apella’s first Midwest-based team in Johnston, Iowa. The entire Iron Horse team joined Apella, with Markway becoming Regional Director; the deal closed June 20, 2025 and brings Apella to $6.08 billion in AUM.

Waverly Advisors, a Birmingham-based RIA, has acquired Dickinson Investment Advisors of Council Bluffs, Iowa, with the Dickinson team joining Waverly. The deal closed January 10, 2025, and marks Waverly's 21st transaction since its 2021 equity investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC's Aspire Holdings platform, increasing Waverly's AUM to approximately $16.4 billion.

Modern Wealth Management, a national RIA backed by Crestview Partners, has acquired the assets of Midwest Financial of Glidden, Iowa. The transaction is an add-on to Modern Wealth's platform intended to expand service offerings, accelerate organic growth, and integrate Midwest Financial into Modern Wealth's centralized planning and tax capabilities.

Wealth Enhancement Group, a national independent wealth management firm based in Minneapolis, has acquired Heacock & Jones Financial Services, Inc., an independent RIA in Dubuque, Iowa that manages roughly $355 million in client assets. The deal expands Wealth Enhancement Group's presence in Iowa and increases its total client assets to more than $66.8 billion.

Mercer Global Advisors (Mercer Advisors), a national registered investment adviser headquartered in Denver, acquired Marrs Wealth Management, LLC, an Ames, Iowa-based wealth management firm with approximately $215 million AUM serving ~275 clients. The deal closed December 31, 2020, and four Marrs team members (including founders/LLC members Craig Marrs, Andra Reason, and Nathan Brammer) joined Mercer; the move was driven primarily by succession planning and to expand client services and back-office capabilities.