Wealth Enhancement grows by adding Ascent Private Wealth

Wealth Enhancement has broadened its reach by merging with Ascent Private Wealth, a hybrid registered investment advisor headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The addition of Ascent has bolstered the total client advisory, trust, and brokerage assets of Minneapolis-based Wealth Enhancement to over $132.7bn.

Ascent manages in excess of $240m in client assets and boasts a team comprising two advisers and one support staff. This strategic partnership marks the fourth South Carolina site for Wealth Enhancement, illustrating the firm’s commitment to expanding its network. Wealth Enhancement’s CEO, Jeff Dekko, expressed enthusiasm about joining forces with Ascent, emphasising their shared values and a client-centric approach.

Ascent Private Wealth, led by Steve Ford, was founded in 2002 with the primary focus of offering financial planning and investment services to business owners and entrepreneurs. Ford highlighted their careful consideration in choosing Wealth Enhancement as the right strategic partner due to the cultural fit and the resources and forward-thinking approach that the firm brings to the table.

Williams Private Wealth Advisory and Consulting played a key role in advising Ascent during the transaction. Furthermore, Wealth Enhancement recently made headlines with the acquisition of AEGIS Financial, an independent RIA operating in Wisconsin. This move added over $468m in client assets to Wealth Enhancement, further strengthening its position in the market. The company also acquired Spectrum Wealth Management, based in California, including its affiliated certified public accounting firm Putman Group.

The acquisition of Spectrum Wealth Management added over $182m in client assets to the group and expanded its team to include an adviser, 14 financial professionals, and five support staff. These strategic acquisitions underscore Wealth Enhancement’s commitment to growth and the enhancement of its service offerings, positioning the firm as a key player in the financial services industry.”