Princeton-based Biltmore Capital Advisors and Stone Creek Capital Management have merged with Merit Financial Advisors, a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high net worth clients.
The merger solidifies Merit’s existing presence on the East Coast and adds significant talent and scale to the firm’s dynamic investment offerings and expertise. The partnership also adds $557 million in assets under management.
Based in Boca Raton, Florida, and Princeton, Biltmore is an independent registered investment adviser that provides comprehensive wealth and investment management and financial planning services for affluent individuals, families, executives and business owners. The firm’s affiliated company, Stone Creek, which offers services to those seeking margin lending, portfolio reporting, research and other consulting services, will continue to operate as a stand-alone business line within the Merit family of companies.
Biltmore and Stone Creek are led by D. Tyler Vernon and Timothy Ralph, both of whom will assume new roles at Merit and will be joined by their entire team. Vernon will serve as regional director and Ralph will become managing partner.
“Merit’s growth objectives are centered on our commitment to providing additional capabilities, expertise and access for our clients,” said Kay Lynn Mayhue, president of Merit. “The partnership with Tyler, Tim and the Biltmore and Stone Creek teams exemplifies this. Having known Tyler for over 20 years, I have watched him build an incredible business and team. This merger is bringing a tremendous amount of talent and an entirely new business line to Merit, and we are extremely excited to welcome the Biltmore and Stone Creek teams to the firm.”
“As we look to the future, we have a clear eye toward growth and enhancing our offerings for our clients. The partnership with Merit will propel this mission, allowing us to serve a wider client base with our consulting business and proprietary investment management strategies, while positioning us for future growth opportunities,” added Vernon.
This is Merit’s third partnership announcement since taking a minority investment in December 2020 from Wealth Partners Capital Group and a group of strategic investors led by HGGC. In 2021, Merit announced its acquisitions of Consilium Financial Group based in Roswell, Georgia, and the business of Brian Fisher, an Arlington, Texas-based independent practitioner. These investments support Merit’s goals of aligning with like-minded advisers and teams, bolstering its growth within existing geographies and establishing a nationwide presence.
The merger was finalized on Dec. 31, and adds $557 million in assets under management, together with consulting services on an additional $1.6 billion in assets. Financial and legal terms of the deal were not disclosed.
