Both firms in the transaction are based in California.

EP Wealth Advisors, the RIA, has added almost $1.2 billion in AuM via its acquisition of Wacker Wealth Partners, a business located in San Luis Obispo, California.

The firm has operated for more than 35 years.

The deal – the financial terms of which were not disclosed – is the second acquisition for EP Wealth in 2024 and its 31st since taking a minority investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group in July 2017. 

Wacker CEO and wealth advisor Ryan Caldwell will become EP’s regional director for central California, while president and chief operating officer Bryan Krill will become associate regional director. In all, 22 members of the Wacker team will join EP Wealth.

“Partnering with EP allows us to continue serving this growing area with the same focus and commitment we have for decades, while providing the support and capabilities – a large team of specialized professionals in planning, investment, technology, compliance and more – of a national RIA,” Caldwell said. “EP’s business model allows us to maintain the local, boutique feel our clients have come to expect of us.”

DeVoe & Company, a leading investment bank and consulting firm to RIAs, represented Wacker in the transaction.

Founded 25 years ago, EP Wealth Advisors, which operates in 12 states and in 30 offices, had more than $22.3 billion in assets as of February 29, 2024. It is headquartered in Torrance, California and backed by Berkshire Partners, a private investment firm in Boston.