RJ and Makay

This year, RIA mergers and acquisitions are at a record level of activity, and being driven by smaller firms. Through June 30, there were 40 RIA mergers and acquisitions which represented $30 billion of assets, reports the Charles Schwab Corp., which tracks merger activity.  The second quarter of this year had more merger activity, 16 deals total, than seen during the second quarter in the last three years. Second quarters are typically weaker.

Also this year, the average number of participants in Schwab’s M&A webinars is up to 200, which is a jump from the average of 50 or 60 participants seen in the past couple of years.  Additionally, seller listings on Schwab’s online M&A matching service increased by 40%, and buyer listings increased by 50% from last year. The activity on that website, where buyers and sellers communicate with each other, increased by 70% this year.