Q2 2026 M&A Trends: U.S. Wealth Market Update

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Wealth management firms are pursuing strategic partnerships earlier than ever to accelerate growth, expand capabilities, and achieve greater scale. Discover why M&A demand remains strong and how leading firms are positioning themselves for long-term success beyond traditional succession planning.

Scale, technology and private capital are accelerating consolidation across wealth management. Q1 2026 delivered a record 94 transactions as founders seek strategic partners to invest in AI, infrastructure and long‑term durability. Explore the trends, top buyers and notable deals shaping today’s Wealth M&A market.

With 60 PE–backed firms transacting and nine completing their first deals in 2025, the market is becoming more diverse, with sellers weighing cultural fit, leadership roles, and long–term growth potential.

M&A activity in the wealth advisory space carried over momentum from a strong 2024 with the highest number of announced deals in a first quarter on record. As expected, private equity buyers led the way.