Hightower Signature Wealth, the branded advisory platform operated by mega-RIA Hightower Advisors, has expanded its footprint on the East Coast with the addition of Stearns Financial Group, a North Carolina-based firm managing approximately $2.5 billion in client assets. The move, announced Tuesday, brings 30 team members into the platform and marks another step toward the $50 billion growth target set by Hightower's leadership.
Stearns Financial Group, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Greensboro with an office in Chapel Hill, had been a partner firm within Hightower's broader network since 2020. This week, it transitioned fully into the Signature Wealth model, gaining access to Hightower's centralized operations, investment management, technology, compliance, and marketing infrastructure. The firm has provided comprehensive financial planning services for more than three decades, according to a company statement.
With this addition, Hightower Signature Wealth now oversees approximately $40 billion in assets, supported by more than 160 advisors across over 35 locations nationwide. Year to date, the platform has added nearly $30 billion in assets through a combination of internal conversions and external acquisitions, the company reported.
A relationship years in the making
Larry Restieri, chief executive officer of Hightower, noted that Stearns has been a valued part of the Hightower community for several years, making the transition a natural next step. "We are proud to welcome the team to HTSW and help them build on the trusted client relationships they have fostered for more than three decades," Restieri said in a statement.
Dennis Stearns, founding partner and senior wealth advisor at the firm, said the move builds on a partnership that began five years ago. "Since founding SFG more than 35 years ago, we have focused on helping clients navigate life's biggest financial decisions with thoughtful, personalized advice," he said. "Joining HTSW allows us to build on the strong foundation we have created while positioning our business for the future."
Haleh Moddasser, managing partner and senior wealth advisor at Stearns, echoed that sentiment, while John Thomas, also a managing partner and senior wealth advisor, highlighted operational efficiencies. "By streamlining our day-to-day operations, our team can work even more efficiently and spend more time focused on clients," Thomas said.
Part of a broader consolidation push
Tuesday's announcement is the latest in a series of deals that have propelled Hightower Signature Wealth well past its early growth targets. Hightower has described the strategy of rebranding acquired firms and courting smaller RIAs as central to its next phase under Restieri, who succeeded Bob Oros as chief executive last year. The model consolidates marketing, technology, billing, and investment management under one umbrella, allowing advisors to focus on client relationships rather than back-office administration.
Earlier this year, Hightower Signature Wealth completed its first external acquisition outside the firm's existing advisor network, and executives at the time projected the platform would reach $40 billion to $50 billion in assets by year-end. Last month, the platform disclosed that three advisory practices had joined, adding roughly $5 billion in combined assets. The rapid scaling has drawn attention from competitors and observers, with similar moves by other large aggregators such as Carson Group's recent billion-dollar deals and Creative Planning's expansion into insurance services.
Hightower, majority-owned by private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners, currently reports more than $350 billion in assets under management. The firm's aggressive growth strategy reflects a broader trend of consolidation in the RIA space, as platforms seek scale to compete on technology and service offerings. For advisors considering similar transitions, the rising threat of elder fraud and the need for robust compliance support are increasingly important factors, as highlighted in recent industry reports.
