Omaha-based Carson Group says it is adding about $613 million in assets based on nine partner firms that joined it during the second quarter—which should bring total assets under management to over $6 billion. Plus, it expects $3.6 billion in assets to move onto its platform over the next six months, and that would bring its AUM to $9 billion by year-end.
Since January, 27 firms have become part of the organization. Eighteen were formerly affiliated with independent broker-dealers, seven with RIAs and two with wirehouse firms. This brings Carson Group to a total of 83 firms in 102 locations in 36 states.
“Our growth trajectory is exploding,” founder and CEO Ron Carson said in a statement. “We’re seeing increasingly larger firms open to this new level of partnership in adopting the Carson Wealth brand because they recognize the clear value they receive.”
One recent additions to Carson Group is Ruggie Wealth, which has roughly $577 million in assets, is led by founder and President Thomas Ruggie, ChFC, CFP, and is based in Tavares, Florida.
“We are excited to be joining a group of growth-minded professionals and innovators who have a deep understanding of the industry, a vast network of specialized services, proven investment strategies and an abiding passion for serving clients,” said Ruggie, in a statement.
During the second quarter, Carson Group hosted close to 1,000 attendees at its yearly Excell conference. It also brought on 45 new advisor firms to its coaching and content platform, which will see three new positions added to support 1,264 member firms in the U.S. and Canada.
“We’ve reached a critical milestone this year, and advisors across the country are taking note,” explained Aaron Schaben, executive vice president of Carson Group, in a statement. “We are setting the pace when it comes to both growth and innovation.”
Carson Group also says it acquired QBI, a low-volatility, rules-based suite of smart-beta strategies, which includes a factor-based model built on passive ETF strategies.
“There’s no shortage of advisors seeking better options,” Carson said. “That reaffirms the decisions we’re making and the direction we’re pursuing for the second half of 2018.”