EP Wealth Advisors has completed its fifth acquisition of 2026, bringing on board Menlo Park, California-based Opes Wealth Management. The deal adds more than $900 million in assets under management (AUM) and strengthens EP Wealth's foothold in the competitive Northern California market.
The transaction brings a team of eight professionals from Opes into EP Wealth. Founders Mark Duvall and Erin Whalen will assume Regional Director roles following the integration. Opes was established in 2005 with a distinctive dual focus on real estate and investment management, a model shaped by Duvall's background in West Coast real estate development. Whalen later expanded the firm's financial planning and investment management capabilities, helping Opes carve out a niche serving technology professionals at Apple and Google throughout the Silicon Valley corridor.
EP Wealth first entered Northern California in 2013, and this partnership extends that regional presence further. The firm has been actively pursuing growth through acquisitions, with this being its fifth deal in 2026 alone. The broader wealth management industry has seen a wave of consolidation, with firms like Lido Advisors adding a $1B Tulsa RIA and Integrated Partners landing an $850M Boston firm in recent months.
Duvall emphasized the importance of integrated advice in the decision to partner with EP Wealth. "From the beginning, Opes has been built around the belief that clients are best served through integrated advice," he said. "As we considered the next chapter for our firm, it was important to find a partner that shared that philosophy and commitment to putting clients first. EP Wealth offers the resources to enhance our business for the future."
Whalen echoed that sentiment, noting the opportunity to build on Opes' values while gaining additional capabilities. "Joining EP Wealth represents an exciting opportunity to build on the values that have defined Opes for decades," she said. "Together, we'll be able to offer even greater capabilities while preserving the personalized guidance and trusted relationships our clients have come to expect."
Kyle Miller, Chief M&A Partnership Officer at EP Wealth, pointed to cultural alignment as a key driver of the deal. "Opes Wealth represents exactly the type of firm we are excited to partner with," he said. "Client-first, growth-oriented, and culturally aligned with EP. We have tremendous respect for what the team has built and are excited to provide additional resources, scale, and support as they continue to grow and serve clients at the highest level."
CEO Ryan Parker added that Opes has built an outstanding reputation by helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with thoughtful, integrated advice. "The team is committed to delivering comprehensive guidance and fostering enduring client relationships," he said. "We are excited to welcome the entire Opes team to EP Wealth as we continue to grow with firms that share our values and expand the ways we serve clients and their families."
The deal comes amid a broader trend of RIA consolidation, as firms seek scale and specialized expertise. EP Wealth's focus on tech-sector clients aligns with the growing demand for advisors who understand the unique financial needs of employees at major technology companies. As advisors shift from information gatekeepers to strategic coordinators, firms like EP Wealth are positioning themselves to offer comprehensive guidance in an increasingly complex financial landscape.
