Atlanta – September 19, 2026 -- Merit Financial Advisors has acquired the practice of veteran advisor Tim Brennan, adding approximately $888 million in client assets and more than 1,000 households to the Georgia-based wealth manager's book. The deal, effective September 10, 2026, marks Merit's eleventh acquisition of the year and its 62nd since inception, pushing firm-wide assets to more than $32.92 billion across over 70 offices nationwide.
Brennan exits nearly 27-year Commonwealth affiliation for Merit platform
Brennan, who spent 37 years in financial services, previously operated through a firm affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network for close to 27 years before joining Merit. His Deerfield, Illinois-based practice focuses on business owners and high-net-worth families, built almost entirely through referrals.
Deal deepens Merit's Chicago push following Blueprint Wealth tie-up
The transaction extends Merit's expansion in Chicagoland, a market the firm entered last year through its partnership with Blueprint Wealth Advisors. David Wahlen, Merit's Executive Vice President/Strategic Partners, said the firm now has two established Chicago-area teams that already know and collaborate with one another, creating what he called a scalable regional platform.
Brennan adds $57 million Wisconsin practice alongside Merit move
In conjunction with joining Merit, Brennan also completed a separate acquisition of an approximately $57 million advisory practice in Wisconsin, extending a presence he has held in the Fond du Lac/Oshkosh region for more than 15 years. That office will continue operating with its existing local staff, backed by Merit's existing infrastructure in the state.
Brennan cited Merit's investment expertise and broader resources for high-net-worth clients as a key factor in the decision, along with growth opportunities for his team of next-generation advisors. Financial terms of the Merit transaction were not disclosed.