Osaic Secures $575M Advisory Team in Empowered Independence Push
Event summary
- $575M AUM Tri-State Financial Group transitions to Osaic’s Empowered Independence W-2 channel, joining after decades of affiliation via Lincoln Financial.
- Team includes four advisors led by Michael George (since 1981) and Michelle Metzger (since 1999), serving multi-generational clients.
- Empowered Independence model offers succession planning, operational support while maintaining advisory independence.
- Latest in a string of high-AUM teams ($500M, $1.5B) moving to Osaic’s W-2 channel this year.
The big picture
Osaic’s acquisition of Tri-State underscores the industry shift toward hybrid advisory models that balance independence with institutional support. With $575M in AUM joining its Empowered Independence channel, Osaic is positioning itself as a consolidator for mid-sized teams seeking succession solutions without full firm sales. This follows similar moves by larger competitors adapting to advisor demand for flexible affiliation structures.
What we're watching
- Recruitment Momentum
- Whether Osaic can sustain this pace of high-AUM team acquisitions in its Empowered Independence channel.
- Succession Framework
- How effectively the W-2 model addresses generational transitions for long-tenured advisory teams.
- Channel Differentiation
- The pace at which Osaic expands this channel relative to competitors like Focus Financial or HighTower.