RIA Edge Panel: Why a Good M&A Strategy Must Stay Focused on Organic Growth

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Ortolani, A. (2026, October 22). RIA Edge panel: Why a good M&A strategy must stay focused on organic growth. Wealth Management. https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ria-edge/ria-edge-panel-why-a-good-m-a-strategy-must-stay-focused-on-organic-growth

Three RIA leaders speaking at RIA Edge Orange County said organic growth is the key, and arguably more valuable, focus area for long-term success, even at firms with dedicated and active acquisition strategies.
EP Wealth co-founder Brian Parker said organic growth ultimately determines a firm's value rather than asset or headcount metrics, noting it is easier to find someone already growing than to get someone to grow.
Alison Burkett of Snowden Lane Partners said the firm deliberately fosters organic growth so it is not subsumed by its active recruiting and acquisition strategy, tying growth to better client service rather than a straight sales approach.
Bogart Wealth structures some deal offers with as much as 70% equity and only 30% cash specifically to filter out sellers who are not interested in long-term growth, according to director of corporate development Bryce Black.
Bogart runs a centralized business development team that handles marketing and books meetings directly on advisors' calendars, targeting roughly 30 introductory meetings per advisor per month.
EP Wealth's largest organic growth investment is its direct-to-consumer marketing engine, while Snowden Lane directs incremental dollars toward technology and back-office support, including AI tools, that frees up advisors' time with clients.
All three panelists said the first 90 days after an acquisition or recruitment are critical, with Black expecting growth rates to return to at least pre-deal levels within two to three months.

Knote: Organic growth is the new inorganic growth.