Mariner Wealth Advisors CEO Marty Bicknell discusses the RIA’s impressive organic growth in 2025, exceeding the typical 15% rate with a more than 30% increase. The firm, with investments from private equity firms, is also active in RIA acquisitions. Bicknell credits a lead generation team and strategic partnerships for their success.
Bicknell attributes Mariner’s success to a dedicated business development team that takes the responsibility of filling the advisor’s funnel. With 85 professionals in multiple channels, Mariner focuses on custodian referral programs, CPA alliances, and partnerships with boutique investment banks to access more clients. This approach has led to increased advisor-client interactions and successful acquisitions.
In response to increased competition in the M&A market, Mariner has expanded its corporate development team to find their own opportunities and reduce competitiveness. By focusing on relationship-building rather than purely bidding, they aim for a more sustainable growth strategy. Despite the challenges, Mariner completed 10 acquisitions in 2025, highlighting their commitment to strategic growth and development. In 2026, Mariner Wealth Advisors anticipates a similar number of deals, with a slightly different makeup. Two recent large deals skewed perceptions due to institutional offerings. The upcoming year may see more traditional RIA firms. Mariner aims to strengthen its offering with access to various expertise, such as tax and estate planning, investment banking, and institutional services.
Mariner Wealth Advisors expects a greater mix of wealth-focused RIAs in 2026, noting a significant supply in a fragmented space. On the institutional side, they have around $450 billion in assets under advisement and 2 million participants. The challenge lies in serving them effectively, particularly in transitioning from retirement to wealth management, with a focus on increasing awareness among plan participants.
Read more at Yahoo Finance: Mariner CEO Marty Bicknell on the RIA’s Record Year for Organic Growth