OneVest‑Merit partnership powers next‑gen RIA growth

OneVest, a provider of cloud‑native wealth‑management software, announced a strategic partnership with Merit Financial Advisors, a national RIA that has doubled its assets to more than $24 billion and is targeting 15 new acquisitions in 2026. The collaboration is designed to give Merit a technology backbone capable of handling rapid scale while preserving the firm’s focus on advisor‑client relationships.

The two companies said the joint effort will replace fragmented legacy systems with OneVest’s “agentic operating system,” a platform that automates many back‑office tasks and consolidates data from multiple custodians. By doing so, Merit hopes to eliminate the “manual labor tax” that often slows down post‑merger integration and forces advisors to spend time on administrative work rather than client service.

“As we continue our rapid growth trajectory and welcome more advisor teams to the Merit family, our priority is providing them with the absolute best‑in‑class infrastructure,” said Rick Kent, CEO of Merit Financial Advisors. “We aren’t just looking for tools; we are looking for a partner that helps us move faster without compromising the personalized experience our advisors and clients deserve. OneVest is that partner, offering the technology designed for the scale we are achieving today and the innovation we need for tomorrow.”

A technology platform built for M&A velocity

Merit’s 2025 performance set a new benchmark for the firm, with assets under management climbing to $24.69 billion as of Jan. 1, 2026—$17.86 billion in advisory assets, $2.73 billion in brokerage, $2.3 billion in retirement accounts, and $1.8 billion in ESOP holdings. The firm’s aggressive acquisition plan, which includes 15 new deals this year, demands a technology stack that can ingest new advisor teams, client data, and custodial relationships without causing service interruptions.

OneVest’s architecture is marketed as “the most sophisticated and agile” in the wealth‑tech space. In practice, the platform offers a single, cloud‑based workflow that standardizes onboarding, compliance checks, and reporting across all newly acquired offices. The result is a reduction in the time and effort required to integrate a new practice—from months of manual data migration to a matter of weeks.

“Merit is a visionary firm that understands technology is no longer just a support function, it is a competitive differentiator,” said Amar Ahluwalia, CEO of OneVest. “Our platform was engineered to be the premier choice for the elite wealth enterprise, providing the battle‑tested, high‑velocity power required for firms like Merit to scale without limits. Together, we are setting a new standard for how wealth management firms can grow while delivering a frictionless experience that keeps the advisor at the center of the story.”

Core capabilities that address the RIA pain points

Accelerated Advisor Integration – A unified onboarding workflow eliminates the patchwork approach typical of M&A activity. New teams can access a shared client‑view and portfolio tools immediately, reducing the risk of client attrition during transition periods.
Industry‑Leading Advisor Care – By automating routine tasks such as trade reconciliation, performance reporting, and compliance documentation, advisors spend less time acting as “system integrators” and more time on relationship management.
Unified Client Experience – Multi‑custodian data, performance metrics, and financial‑planning outputs are consolidated into a single interface, allowing advisors to present a coherent narrative to clients regardless of the underlying custodial structure.
Forward‑Looking Technology Partnership – Merit’s leadership expressed an interest in exploring emerging AI‑driven portfolio analytics and predictive compliance monitoring to further streamline operations. OneVest’s roadmap includes modules that shift from “software that shows you work” to an “engine that does the work,” a shift that could redefine how RIAs allocate human capital.

Market implications for the wealth‑tech ecosystem

The OneVest‑Merit deal underscores a broader trend in the wealth‑management sector: firms that pursue aggressive M&A strategies are increasingly looking for technology partners that can deliver both scale and compliance. The U.S. RIA market has seen a surge in consolidation over the past three years, driven by regulatory pressure, client demand for integrated digital experiences, and the need for cost efficiencies.

By committing to a single, client experience platform, Merit positions itself to compete with larger, vertically integrated players that have historically held an advantage due to proprietary technology stacks. The partnership also signals to other boutique RIAs that a cloud‑first, modular approach can be a viable alternative to building in‑house solutions—a move that could accelerate the adoption of open‑architecture platforms across the industry.

From a regulatory perspective, the integration of a unified system simplifies the reporting burden under SEC Rule 206(4)-7 and the FINRA Net‑Change Rule, as data is already standardized before it reaches compliance teams. This could reduce the likelihood of filing errors and lower the cost of annual audits, a benefit that is especially valuable for firms expanding quickly.

Competitive positioning and potential challenges

OneVest competes with a range of wealth‑tech vendors, from legacy custodial platforms to newer fintech entrants that focus on niche functionalities like robo‑advisory or digital onboarding. Its claim to be the “most sophisticated and agile architecture” will be tested as Merit rolls out the platform across 55 offices nationwide.

Key challenges include data migration fidelity, especially when consolidating information from disparate custodians with varying data schemas. Additionally, the cultural shift required for advisors to trust an automation of many back‑office processes may encounter resistance, particularly among senior advisors accustomed to manual processes.

Nevertheless, the partnership’s focus on “advisor‑centric” outcomes aligns with industry research indicating that high‑touch client service remains a differentiator even as digital tools proliferate. If OneVest can deliver measurable reductions in onboarding time and operational overhead, Merit could set a benchmark for other RIAs aiming to replicate its growth trajectory.

Outlook for 2026 and beyond

Merit’s 2026 acquisition target of 15 new firms suggests that the firm will double its footprint within a single fiscal year. Assuming successful integration, the combined entity could manage upwards of $40 billion in assets by year‑end, positioning it among the top ten national RIAs by AUM.

OneVest’s roadmap includes the rollout of AI‑enhanced portfolio construction tools and predictive compliance alerts slated for late 2026. If these modules are adopted as part of Merit’s technology stack, the firm could achieve not only operational efficiency but also a data‑driven advisory model that differentiates it from peers relying on more static platforms.

In the broader fintech landscape, the OneVest‑Merit collaboration may act as a catalyst for other technology providers to develop “enterprise‑ready” solutions that can absorb the shock of rapid M&A activity without sacrificing compliance or client experience. As the RIA market continues to consolidate, the ability to integrate new advisor teams quickly and securely will become a decisive factor in competitive positioning.

Bottom line

OneVest’s partnership with Merit Financial Advisors represents a strategic attempt to marry aggressive acquisition ambitions with a technology foundation designed for speed, compliance, and advisor empowerment. By replacing fragmented legacy systems with a unified, AI‑native platform, Merit aims to reduce integration friction, lower operational costs, and maintain a high‑touch client experience. The success of this initiative could reshape how fast‑growing RIAs approach technology, potentially setting a new industry standard for scalable, advisor‑centric infrastructure.

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