MAI Capital Management Acquires Garrison Asset Management: A Strategic Growth Move
Introduction
MAI Capital Management, LLC (“MAI”), a leading registered investment adviser renowned for its comprehensive investment and financial planning services tailored to high-net-worth individuals and families, has announced its acquisition of Garrison Asset Management (“Garrison”). This acquisition underscores MAI’s commitment to expanding its expertise, resources, and client base by partnering with a firm that shares its vision of excellence in wealth management. While the financial terms of the transaction remain undisclosed, the strategic alignment between these two firms is clear.
A Unified Mission to Serve Clients
For both MAI and Garrison, the primary driver of this partnership is a shared dedication to helping individuals, families, and organizations achieve their financial goals. This mission is deeply embedded in the culture of both organizations. According to Garrison’s leadership, this alignment in values was a significant factor in their decision to join forces with MAI. In the words of Kerry Bradley and James Bell, leaders at Garrison:
“When evaluating our next step, we knew we needed a firm that would understand our clients like we do as well as could provide the resources to enhance our services. Like MAI, we are driven by the opportunity to truly help individuals, families, and organizations accomplish their financial goals and are looking forward to utilizing these new resources as well as offering our decades of expertise focused on making people’s financial lives better.”
This statement reflects the mutual respect and common purpose shared by both firms, which forms the foundation for a seamless integration.
About Garrison Asset Management
Garrison Asset Management, headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, has built a stellar reputation as a trusted advisor in wealth and portfolio management. The firm focuses on empowering individuals, families, and organizations to build wealth and create enduring financial legacies that span generations. Garrison’s team of experts has consistently delivered high-quality financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Under the leadership of President and Equity Portfolio Manager Kerry Bradley and Vice President and Equity Portfolio Manager James Bell, Garrison has experienced steady growth and client trust. Since taking ownership of the firm in 2017, Bradley and Bell have led Garrison with a vision to deliver personalized financial strategies backed by rigorous investment expertise. As of September 30, 2024, the firm managed $317 million in client assets, a testament to its effectiveness in helping clients achieve their financial objectives.
Key Players and Their Roles
As part of the acquisition, Bradley and Bell will assume new roles within MAI as Senior Portfolio Managers. This transition not only allows them to maintain their strong client relationships but also enables them to leverage MAI’s extensive resources to enhance service delivery. The integration of Garrison’s talented team into MAI is a significant asset to the latter’s growth strategy.
Strategic Benefits of the Acquisition
- Expanded Expertise: The addition of Garrison brings a wealth of investment knowledge and wealth planning expertise to MAI. According to Stephen Chaffin and Jay White, regional presidents at MAI in the Little Rock area, “Not only are we adding excellent wealth advisors through the addition of the Garrison team, but we are also bringing in distinguished investment expertise to help grow our clients’ portfolios.” This collaboration ensures clients benefit from a broader range of financial strategies and insights.
- Enhanced Resources: Garrison will adopt MAI’s brand identity and gain access to its comprehensive internal infrastructure, which includes human resources, operations, and marketing resources. This integration enables Garrison to focus more on client services while relying on MAI’s robust operational support.
- Client-Centric Approach: Both firms prioritize a “client first” mentality, making this partnership a natural fit. With a shared dedication to delivering personalized financial solutions, clients can expect continuity in service quality along with the added benefit of enhanced resources and expertise.
MAI Capital Management: A Brief Overview
MAI Capital Management has established itself as a leading name in the financial services industry, specializing in comprehensive investment and financial planning for high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. With decades of experience, MAI is committed to providing personalized financial strategies that align with clients’ goals and aspirations. The firm’s holistic approach encompasses investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax optimization.
Over the years, MAI has grown both organically and through strategic acquisitions. The acquisition of Garrison Asset Management marks another milestone in its journey of expansion and underscores its commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients.
Why This Acquisition Matters
The partnership between MAI and Garrison represents a significant step forward in the evolution of both firms. For MAI, this acquisition is an opportunity to strengthen its presence in the Fayetteville, Arkansas region and beyond. For Garrison, joining forces with MAI provides access to a larger platform and more extensive resources, enabling the firm to better serve its clients.
From a client perspective, this acquisition is a win-win situation. Clients of Garrison will benefit from MAI’s robust infrastructure and expanded service offerings, while MAI’s existing clients gain access to the expertise and personalized approach that Garrison brings to the table. The integration of the two firms ensures a seamless transition with minimal disruption to clients.
Shared Values and Vision
One of the most compelling aspects of this acquisition is the shared values and vision of the two firms. Both MAI and Garrison are committed to putting clients’ interests first and delivering tailored financial solutions that address their unique needs. This alignment in philosophy is a key factor in ensuring the success of the partnership.
As noted by Chaffin and White, “We’re looking forward to bringing Kerry, James, and the team on board as talented advisors who share our ‘client first’ mentality.” This mutual respect and shared commitment to excellence form the cornerstone of the partnership.
Future Prospects
The acquisition of Garrison Asset Management by MAI Capital Management signals a bright future for both firms. By combining their strengths, they are well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape and deliver exceptional value to clients. The integration process will focus on preserving the unique strengths of both firms while leveraging synergies to enhance service delivery.
For MAI, this acquisition represents a continuation of its growth strategy, which includes expanding its geographic footprint and enhancing its service offerings. For Garrison, the partnership provides an opportunity to scale its operations and deliver even greater value to clients.
The acquisition of Garrison Asset Management by MAI Capital Management is a strategic move that benefits both firms and their clients. By joining forces, MAI and Garrison are poised to deliver unparalleled financial solutions and help clients achieve their goals. With a shared commitment to excellence and a “client first” mentality, this partnership sets the stage for continued success.
In the words of Kerry Bradley and James Bell, “Like MAI, we are driven by the opportunity to truly help individuals, families, and organizations accomplish their financial goals and are looking forward to utilizing these new resources as well as offering our decades of expertise focused on making people’s financial lives better.” This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of the partnership and the promise it holds for the future.
