Merit Financial Adds Former Commonwealth Advisor Overseeing $888M

Merit Financial Advisors, an Atlanta-based investment firm managing $30.1 billion in assets, has integrated financial advisor Tim Brennan and his team into its ranks, marking the company's 11th partnership in 2026 and its 62nd acquisition overall. Brennan's practice, with approximately $888 million in client assets, will remain based in Deerfield, Ill., alongside the firm's existing operations.

Brennan spent nearly 27 years at Commonwealth Financial Network's Pinnacle Financial Group, which he co-founded, an entity that will continue under the leadership of co-founder Jim Santos. Brennan expressed his enthusiasm for joining Merit, praising the firm's growth and evolution. The acquisition enhances Merit's presence in the Chicago market, where it established an office last year through the acquisition of Blueprint Wealth Advisors.

David Wahlen, Merit's executive vice president/strategic partner, highlighted Brennan's focus on culture, collaboration, and healthy competition, describing it as a "tight-knit family" that attracts top talent. Wahlen also noted that Merit is actively expanding its reach in Chicago, with Brennan's team perfectly aligning with the firm's growth strategy.

The addition of Brennan, who will receive equity in Merit, brings a $57 million Wisconsin advisory practice that will continue to operate in the Fond du Lac/Oshkosh region. With this move, Merit has successfully integrated nine Commonwealth advisors, amassing over $5.7 billion in assets across these acquisitions. LPL Financial, the firm that acquired Commonwealth last year, aims to transition all Commonwealth client assets to its platforms by November.