Captrust acquires $1.4B RIA to mark firm's 70th deal since 2006

One of the largest RIA consolidators is celebrating a milestone deal this week with the addition of a $1.4 billion wealth manager from the heart of the Midwest.

On Monday, Captrust announced the acquisition of the Indianapolis, Indiana-based Column Capital Advisors. The wealth management firm founded in 2005 is led by President and Managing Director Brian Upchurch and Executive Directors Kevin Sweet and Jeffrey Yu.

Column Capital's three core offerings for high net worth individuals include a "comprehensive advisory approach of investment management, financial planning and tax services," according to the firm. A total of 22 people will join Captrust in the deal.

"Philosophically, Captrust was a clear fit. We are moving into the next phase of our business, and this move was important to our longer-term succession plan," Upchurch said in a statement. "Employee ownership is really important to us, and Captrust provides expansive career opportunities for our team." 

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The addition of Column Capital is Captrsut's seventh deal of 2023, and the 70th since 2006. Consistent with other transactions, Column Capital will take on the Captrust brand. 

"Since 2006, we have been strategically adding firms in markets across the U.S., working toward our goal of a wealth management, retirement planning, and endowment and foundation presence in each city," Captrust CEO Fielding Miller said in a statement. "This growth continues to enhance the offerings and quality of service we can deliver to our clients."

Column Capital is Captrust's first location in Indianapolis, but its second in the Hoosier state. Column Capital joins an existing office in Chesterton, Indiana, bringing the firm's employee total across Indiana to nearly 50.  

"Captrust continues to expand in the major metro markets, and we are excited to add another office in Indiana, this time in Indianapolis," Rush Benton, Captrust's senior director of strategic growth, said in a statement. "The team at Column Capital will help us build out our existing services like tax and investment management for clients across the firm."

For more on this story, see our follow-up article:
How a home office visit sealed a $1.4B RIA deal for Captrust