January 08, 2018
Stevens Wealth Management Joins Buckingham Strategic Wealth
Buckingham Strategic Wealth, the St. Louis-based wealth management firm, has expanded its presence into the Chicago area and increased its depth of talent through the acquisition of Deerfield-based Stevens Wealth Management, which will assume the Buckingham name.
Stevens Wealth Management was founded in 2000 by Sue Stevens, CFP®, CFA, CPA/PFS, CAP®, and, like Buckingham, provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, families and businesses. In her decades of experience in the financial services industry, Stevens developed an approach to financial planning as a collaborative, creative, iterative process, as well as authored two books, “Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is” and “Radiant Wealth.”
“Both of our firms were founded on the philosophy that doing the right thing for our clients is paramount, so the decision to join Buckingham was a natural one,” Stevens said. “It allows our team to deepen the experience we offer to clients and grow our business, all while aligning with a firm that shares our core values, comprehensive approach to wealth management, and excellence in thought leadership.”
The transaction, which closed on Jan. 1, 2018, also brings to the Buckingham team Sara Connelly; Elaine Eakes; Joli Fridman, CFP®, CPA; Cheryl Povalla, CFP®; and Gail Scully, CFA, along with $350 million in assets under management (as of Dec. 31, 2017).
Buckingham CEO Adam Birenbaum echoes Stevens’ sentiment. “Sue and her team are a simply outstanding addition to Buckingham,” he said. “Aligning our efforts will permit us to better serve clients, helping them reach their most important financial and life goals through holistic financial planning. Together, we remain dedicated to wealth management and a degree of service that not only focuses on highly engaged, profoundly personal relationships, but truly connects clients’ money with their values.”
Stevens Wealth Management represents Buckingham’s 30th transaction since the firm completed its first acquisition in Santa Rosa, California, in 2010. The firm now has a presence in 20 cities across the nation.
“This transaction, a win for everyone involved, continues our strategic effort to deliver a more evolved wealth management solution to our current and future clients,” Birenbaum said. “Our team is now able to offer an even more deeply personal level of service to clients, in the Chicago area and firm-wide, while we continue adding to our exceptional talent base.”
Buckingham is a partner firm within Focus Financial Partners and home to BAM Advisor Services and The BAM ALLIANCE, a community of more than 135 independent, like-minded advisory firms throughout the country that collectively manage or administer $33.1 billion in assets (as of Dec. 31, 2017).