Hightower Advisors has expanded its Signature Wealth platform with the addition of Valley Financial Group, a Pennsylvania-based registered investment advisor managing approximately $275 million in client assets. The Ambler, Pennsylvania firm, which serves individuals, families, and business owners across the Greater Philadelphia region, including corporate employees and first responders, is the second external acquisition for the platform this year.
The move underscores the accelerating adoption of Hightower's integrated, W-2 employment model, which offers advisors the infrastructure of a large RIA while eliminating the burdens of running an independent practice. Larry Restieri, Hightower's chief executive, said the addition demonstrates the model's appeal to established firms seeking growth and longevity. "Welcoming Valley to HTSW further demonstrates the appeal of our integrated practice to established firms looking to accelerate growth, enhance the client experience and create longevity for their teams," Restieri said in a statement.
Kevin McGarry, managing partner at Valley Financial Group, said the firm sought a partner that matched its client-first approach while providing the tools to expand its offerings. Ed Woehlcke, a certified financial planner and fellow managing partner, added that the move would grant access to a broader set of resources without disrupting the personal relationships that have defined the practice.
Rapid platform growth
With Valley's arrival, Signature Wealth's total assets under management now stand at approximately $40 billion, spread across more than 160 advisors and 35-plus locations nationwide, according to Hightower. The platform, launched in October 2023, has grown quickly through a combination of internal conversions and external acquisitions. Last week, HTSW added Stearns Financial Group, a North Carolina practice managing roughly $2.5 billion in assets, bringing 30 advisors into the fold. Stearns had partnered with Hightower since 2020 before fully converting to the Signature Wealth model.
Hightower has also been bolstering its capabilities beyond acquisitions. Earlier this summer, the firm expanded its Hightower Family Office offering, integrating institutional investment consulting, estate and tax planning, family governance, and business advisory services into a single framework for advisors serving ultra-high-net-worth clients. That expansion leveraged Hightower's relationship with NEPC, a Boston-based investment consultant, in which Hightower took a majority stake in 2024, giving advisors access to institutional-grade resources typically reserved for pensions and endowments.
"As client needs continue to evolve, advisors increasingly need access to deeper insights and broader resources," Restieri said in a June statement. "The expansion of the Hightower Family Office reflects our commitment to helping advisors serve clients across the full wealth spectrum while remaining at the center of the relationship."
The addition of Valley Financial Group comes amid a broader wave of consolidation in the RIA space, with firms like Raymond James and LPL trading advisors as assets shift platforms. Hightower's push toward $50 billion in assets under management this year positions it as a significant player in the integrated model space, competing with other aggregators like Modera and Simplicity Group, which have also been active in M&A.
Industry observers note that the Signature Wealth platform's growth reflects a broader trend of advisors seeking the benefits of scale without sacrificing client relationships. As Hightower continues to integrate firms like Valley Financial Group, it is likely to attract more practices looking for a stable, resource-rich home.
