Waverly Advisors Acquires WealthPlans and Cooley & Associates

Waverly Advisors has completed the acquisition of WealthPlans, LLC, along with its affiliate Cooley & Associates, P.C., in a strategic expansion move valued at $250 million. This acquisition, focused on enhancing Waverly’s footprint in the Mid-Atlantic region, adds a second Maryland location to its operations.

WealthPlans, based in Frederick, Maryland, specializes in financial planning, investment management, and tax-efficient wealth strategies. Cooley & Associates offers complementary tax and accounting services. The acquisition will integrate WealthPlans’ assets and team, led by President Brent Cooley, into Waverly’s broader operational framework. As a result, Waverly Business Services, an affiliate of Waverly Advisors, now controls Cooley & Associates. With this transaction, Waverly’s assets under management rise to approximately $35.5 billion, effective from the deal's close on May 29, 2026.

For Waverly Advisors, headquartered across 51 U.S. offices with over 450 professionals, this acquisition is a step to bolster its service offerings and regional presence. Justin Russell, Waverly's CEO, highlighted the enhanced service capabilities due to the technical expertise and client-focused culture that Brent Cooley and his team bring. For WealthPlans, the affiliation with Waverly provides access to a broader array of resources, reinforcing its ability to offer personalized client service.

The acquisition is Waverly’s 33rd since securing an equity investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC’s Aspire Holdings platform in late 2021. This aggressive expansion strategy positions Waverly competitively within the financial services sector, aiming to leverage scale advantages in serving high-net-worth clients and various institutional entities.

Looking forward, Waverly's acquisition strategy indicates a continuous focus on growth through potential future partnerships, while seeking to navigate the complexities of regional market integration and client management. Terms of the acquisition remain private, with the focus now shifting to operational alignment and the realization of synergy potentials.