Mercer Global Advisors has acquired Mallard Advisors in Hockessin, Del.
Founder William D. Starnes will be joining Mercer along with his team, bringing about $165 million in assets under management across 109 clients.
Mallard is a financial planning and wealth management practice experienced in working with data-driven clients, such as scientists, engineers and other financial professionals who expect to see all the details and calculations involved in their financial decision-making.
Starnes initially partnered with Mercer via its Mutual Assistance Pact program, through which Mercer would take care of Mallard clients and staff if something were to happen to Starnes.
“As the sole founder and owner of the firm it is incumbent on me to make sure my clients and team are taken care of if something were to happen to me,” he said in a statement.
“I worked with Mercer Advisors Vice Chairman David Barton to put that MAP plan in place several years ago and have been very happy with the arrangement,” he said. “As time went on, however, I realized it was time for me to work on my own transition plan and once again reached out to Dave Barton and Mercer Advisors whom I respect and trust. Together we worked on, and successfully completed, my succession plan and I am thrilled to join a firm like Mercer Advisors alongside my fantastic team.”
“Bill is a superior financial planner, a salt of the earth person, and is committed to his clients and team,” said Barton, who leads acquisition efforts for Mercer. “These are all traits I look for in determining whether or not a cultural fit exists between our firms. In Mallard, we found a perfect fit and we could not be more excited to partner with Bill and his team to expand our Delaware presence.”
Founded in 1985, Mercer Global Advisors provides comprehensive, fee-based investment management, financial planning, family office services, retirement benefits and distribution planning, estate and tax planning, insurance solutions, and corporate trustee and trust administration services.
Mercer has added 64 firms since its inception, and majority investments by private equity firms Oak Hill Capital and Genstar Capital have allowed the Denver-based company to significantly ramp up mergers and acquisitions activity in recent years. Mercer added 10 new firms in the first half of 2022 and two more in July. It is now among the largest RIAs in the nation, claiming more than $37 billion in client assets.