Clearstead's $5.1B Clarius Deal Cements Its UHNW Ambitions

CLEVELAND, OH – February 03, 2026 – In a significant move that underscores the fierce consolidation trend within the wealth management industry, Cleveland-based Clearstead Advisors has acquired The Clarius Group, a Seattle-based multi-family office with approximately $5.1 billion in assets under management. The deal, which closed on January 31, 2026, catapults Clearstead's total client assets to approximately $55 billion and marks a major strategic push into the lucrative ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) sector and the Pacific Northwest.

This acquisition is more than an expansion; it's a statement of intent, positioning Clearstead as a formidable national player in a rapidly evolving financial advisory landscape.

A Strategic Play for National Prominence

The Clarius deal is the latest and largest in a series of strategic acquisitions for Clearstead, reflecting an aggressive growth strategy aimed at building a national powerhouse. This follows recent purchases including Chicago's Waveland Family Office, LLC, and Virginia's Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas (WST) and Baldwin Advisory. This pattern of acquisition has not gone unnoticed, with Clearstead earning the #7 spot on FinancialPlanning's "150 RIA Leaders 2025" and being named one of AdvisorHub's "50 RIA Firms to Watch in 2026."

By absorbing Clarius, Clearstead not only increases its assets under management to $30 billion but also integrates 36 seasoned professionals, including founding partners Keith Vernon and Matthew Talbot. Vernon, Talbot, and four other Clarius partners will become partners at Clearstead, a move designed to ensure leadership continuity and retain the deep client relationships that are the lifeblood of the family office model.

"The addition of the Clarius team meaningfully expands our capabilities in the ultra-high-net-worth and family office space, while also creating new opportunities for professional growth across the firm," said Brad Knapp, CEO of Clearstead, in a statement. This move provides Clearstead with a crucial physical presence in the competitive Seattle market, a long-term strategic goal for the firm.

The Private Equity Engine Driving Consolidation

Fueling Clearstead's rapid expansion is the significant financial backing of Flexpoint Ford, a private equity firm that acquired a majority stake in the RIA in 2022. This partnership exemplifies a dominant industry trend: private equity capital is the primary engine behind the M&A frenzy reshaping the Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) landscape.

The RIA market, historically fragmented with thousands of smaller independent firms, has become a prime target for PE-backed consolidators. Factors such as an aging generation of founding advisors seeking succession plans and the immense capital required to scale technology and services have created a fertile environment for such deals. Private equity firms like Flexpoint Ford provide the capital for firms like Clearstead to make transformative acquisitions, offering liquidity to selling partners through a mix of cash and rollover equity that incentivizes continued growth.

Daniel Edelman, Managing Director of Flexpoint Ford, commented on the deal's strategic fit, stating, "The cultural alignment and complementary capabilities between these firms reinforce our confidence in the long-term value of this partnership." This backing allows Clearstead to compete for top-tier firms like Clarius, which was itself recognized as one of Worth's Top RIA Firms in 2025, and accelerate its journey from a regional leader to a national entity.

Enhancing the Boutique Experience with Institutional Power

For the ultra-wealthy families served by both firms, the merger promises the best of both worlds: the personalized, high-touch service of a boutique firm combined with the expanded resources of a large institution. This was a key theme emphasized by the leadership of both companies.

"From the earliest conversations, it was clear that Clarius and Clearstead share an operating philosophy based on a client-first mindset," noted Keith Vernon, Co-Founder of Clarius. "We have a common vision to continue building a firm that provides clients a boutique experience coupled with institutional capabilities."

Clarius brings deep expertise in integrated family office services, multi-generational planning, and personal accounting. This complements Clearstead's established strengths, particularly its trust services offered through subsidiaries in Maine and New Mexico, and its "ClearAccess®" platform, which simplifies client access to alternative investments like private equity and venture capital.

"By joining Clearstead, we are broadening the resources available to our clients—particularly in areas such as tax compliance, trust services, and alternative investments—while preserving the culture and approach that have always defined our firm," added Matthew Talbot, Clarius Co-Founder. This synergy aims to create a more comprehensive "one-stop shop" for families navigating the complexities of significant wealth.

Navigating the Integration Challenge

While the strategic rationale appears sound, the success of any large-scale merger hinges on execution. The RIA industry is littered with cautionary tales where deals faltered during the integration phase. Key challenges include merging disparate technology platforms, aligning compliance procedures, and, most importantly, blending corporate cultures. In the wealth management space, client retention is paramount, as clients must formally consent to move their assets to the new entity.

Clearstead and Clarius appear to be addressing these risks proactively. The decision to bring the entire Clarius team of 36 professionals into the fold, and to elevate six of its partners to partner status at Clearstead, is a significant move aimed at ensuring stability and continuity. It signals to both employees and clients that the expertise and relationships built by Clarius are highly valued, not just its AUM.

The public emphasis from all parties on "cultural alignment" and a "shared vision" is more than just corporate jargon; in the M&A world, it is a critical predictor of long-term success. By retaining the core Clarius team, Clearstead aims to preserve the very essence of what made the Seattle firm successful, while bolting on its own institutional-level resources. The industry will be watching closely to see if this combination of boutique culture and institutional scale can deliver on its ambitious promise for clients and stakeholders alike.