{"id":519570,"date":"2026-07-10T17:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T17:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/519570\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T17:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T17:24:09","slug":"deals-moves-608m-commonwealth-team-chooses-cetera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/519570\/","title":{"rendered":"Deals &#038; Moves: $608M Commonwealth Team Chooses Cetera"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Cetera has brought in another Commonwealth Financial Network team, led by Edward Duffy and his Lexington Financial, which manages about $608 million in client assets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">The Braintree, Mass.-based firm also includes advisors John Walsh and William Creesy, as well as support staff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">\u201cLeaving Commonwealth wasn\u2019t something we took lightly after 32 years,\u201d Duffy said in a statement. \u201cWe wouldn\u2019t have made a change if Commonwealth hadn\u2019t been acquired, but that effectively made the decision for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Duffy and his fellow advisors had been with Commonwealth for 32 years, according to BrokerCheck.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">According to the announcement, the team conducted 6 months of due diligence and chose Cetera partly because it provided uninterrupted access to custody with <a class=\"ContentText-BodyTextChunk ContentText-BodyTextChunk_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wealthmanagement.com\/ria-news\/cetera-hires-fidelity-exec-as-head-of-advanced-wealth\" target=\"_self\" data-discover=\"true\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Fidelity Investments\u2019 National Financial Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Cetera Wealth Management President Todd Mackay <a class=\"ContentText-BodyTextChunk ContentText-BodyTextChunk_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wealthmanagement.com\/ibd-news\/cetera-sends-second-open-letter-to-commonwealth-advisors\" target=\"_self\" data-discover=\"true\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">has been courting Commonwealth advisors<\/a> since the independent broker\/dealer was acquired by LPL Financial last year.<\/p>\n<p data-component=\"related-article\" class=\"RelatedArticle\">Related:<a class=\"RelatedArticle-RelatedContent\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wealthmanagement.com\/ria-news\/mercer-sues-ex-employee-over-alleged-client-data-theft\" target=\"_self\" data-discover=\"true\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mercer Claims Ex-Employee Took Client Info To New Role<\/a><\/p>\n<p>$750M Potomac Joins Concurrent\u2019s RIA Platform<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Concurrent Investment Advisors, a <a class=\"ContentText-BodyTextChunk ContentText-BodyTextChunk_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wealthmanagement.com\/ria-news\/concurrent-supports-the-launch-of-another-billion-dollar-firm-tavo-wealth\" target=\"_self\" data-discover=\"true\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tampa-based hybrid registered investment advisor<\/a>, has made a minority investment in Potomac Financial Group, an Ashton, Md.-based firm that has left Raymond James to join Concurrent\u2019s RIA platform.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Led by Managing Partner Todd Wike, Potomac Financial has been operating for more than 40 years and oversees more than $750 million in client assets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Wike is joined by advisors Lanta Evans, Kevin Pinto, Deborah Kelly, Brian Krawiec, Bradley Schell and Gregory Wilkinson, along with their support staff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">The Potomac team evaluated multiple paths to independence before selecting Concurrent to access an expanded technology stack, institutional-grade operational support and practice management resources that enhance the client experience, according to the announcement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">\u201cThe best way we can serve our clients is by maximizing the time we spend with them,\u201d Wike said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">The firm will custody with Fidelity.<\/p>\n<p>AmeriFlex Group Recruits $1.7B in Assets in First Half<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">The AmeriFlex Group, an advisor-owned hybrid RIA with a <a class=\"ContentText-BodyTextChunk ContentText-BodyTextChunk_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wealthmanagement.com\/ibd-news\/cambridge-takes-minority-stake-in-13b-hybrid-ria-the-ameriflex-group\" target=\"_self\" data-discover=\"true\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">minority stake from Cambridge Investment Research<\/a>, has added 18 advisors representing more than $1.7 billion in total client assets to the platform in the first half of 2026, the Las Vegas-based firm announced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">With additional advisors expected to join before year-end, the firm said it is on pace to reach its previously stated annual growth goal of $3 billion ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">The firm attributes growth to a series of advisor-focused programs designed to address challenges advisors encounter throughout their careers, from growth and client acquisition to succession and eventual transition. Earlier this year, it enhanced its succession platform with AmeriFlex Advisor AI Connection, a matching tool powered by Anthropic\u2019s Claude LLM that identifies advisors approaching succession and connects them with potential buyers.<\/p>\n<p data-component=\"related-article\" class=\"RelatedArticle\">Related:<a class=\"RelatedArticle-RelatedContent\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wealthmanagement.com\/ria-news\/wells-fargo-finet-firm-adds-1b-team-in-palm-beach\" target=\"_self\" data-discover=\"true\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Wells Fargo FiNet Firm Adds $1B Team in Palm Beach<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">\u201cWe want to remove the obstacles to growth and eventually succession that so many larger institutions and wealth management firms seem to place in advisors\u2019 paths,\u201d Thomas Goodson, founder and chief executive officer of The AmeriFlex Group, said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>F.L.Putnam Acquires $500M New Hampshire RIA<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">F.L.Putnam Investment Management Company, a Lynnfield, <a class=\"ContentText-BodyTextChunk ContentText-BodyTextChunk_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wealthmanagement.com\/ria-news\/deals-moves-10b-f-l-putnam-expands-in-midwest-with-michigan-based-arcadia\" target=\"_self\" data-discover=\"true\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mass.-based RIA with over $11 billion in assets under management<\/a>, has acquired Seascape Capital Management, a Portsmouth, N.H.-based RIA with more than $500 million in AUM.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Founded in 2003 and led by Chief Executive Officer Monica McCarthy, Seascape offers wealth and investment management to high-net-worth individuals and their families.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">\u201cThe addition of Seascape further strengthens our presence in New Hampshire and deepens our financial planning and investment expertise,\u201d F.L.Putnam CEO Tom Manning said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p data-component=\"related-article\" class=\"RelatedArticle\">Related:<a class=\"RelatedArticle-RelatedContent\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wealthmanagement.com\/ria-news\/choreo-acquires-illinois-ria-with-700m-in-assets\" target=\"_self\" data-discover=\"true\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Choreo Acquires Assets of $700M Business Planning-Focused RIA<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">The entire Seascape team, including advisors Andrew Litzerman and Christian (Chrissy) Sullivan, has joined F.L.Putnam, according to the announcement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Colchester Partners advised Seascape on the move.<\/p>\n<p>Texas-based Victory Bank Acquires 40% Stake in McDonald Capital Management<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Victory Bank, a Lubbock, Texas-based bank, has entered the wealth management space with a 40% stake in a fee-only RIA called McDonald Capital Management with more than $350 million in AUM, the bank announced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">The agreement, pending regulatory approval, marks Victory Bank\u2019s entry into wealth management and establishes a strategic alignment between two independently operated West Texas firms, according to the bank.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">\u201cOur significant investment in McDonald Capital Management is a testament to both our strategic focus as well as our non-linear approach to building a durable, high-performing, Texas banking enterprise,\u201d Victory Bank co-founder and CEO C. Brett McDowell said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Founder Eric McDonald and McDonald Capital Management leadership will hold 60% ownership and direct all investment decisions, client relationships and day-to-day operations, according to the announcement. The firm will also continue operating under the McDonald Capital Management name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ContentParagraph ContentParagraph_align_left\" data-testid=\"content-paragraph\">Lubbock-based McDonald Capital Management was established in 1990 with the founding principle to operate exclusively on a fee-only basis, with no commissions, no product sales incentives and a legal fiduciary obligation to act in the best interest of its clients at all times, according to the announcement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cetera has brought in another Commonwealth Financial Network team, led by Edward Duffy and his Lexington Financial, which&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":519571,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[138,246,111,139,69,244,245],"class_list":["post-519570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-personal-finance","tag-business","tag-finance","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-personal-finance","tag-personalfinance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/519570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=519570"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/519570\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/519571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=519570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=519570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=519570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}