Steward Partners Adds $2.3 Billion in Assets, Accelerating RIA Growth
Event summary
- Steward Partners added $2.33 billion in assets during Q1 2026, through five advisor teams.
- The affiliated teams include Lum Wealth Management ($380M), Silcox & Avonda ($800M), Watson & Durham ($624M), Centura ($130M), and Scharf & Selden ($400M).
- This follows a Q4 2025 in which Steward Partners added $3.87 billion in assets and opened seven new offices.
- Steward Partners is currently ranked #9 on the 2025 Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list, up from #18 in 2024.
The big picture
Steward Partners' aggressive growth strategy underscores the ongoing trend of RIA consolidation and the appeal of independent, employee-owned models. The firm's ability to attract teams managing over $2 billion signals a willingness among advisors to prioritize flexibility and partnership over traditional firm affiliations. This momentum positions Steward Partners to further challenge established players in the wealth management space and potentially accelerate its own M&A activity.
What we're watching
- Growth Sustainability
- Whether Steward Partners can maintain this pace of asset acquisition, given the competitive landscape for advisor talent and the potential for integration challenges.
- OneSteward Model
- The effectiveness of Steward Partners’ ‘OneSteward’ model in retaining acquired teams and advisors, as the firm expands geographically and increases complexity.
- Succession Planning
- How Steward Partners’ succession planning capabilities will be leveraged to ensure continuity and minimize disruption as acquired teams integrate and senior advisors retire.
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