M&A activity in the RIA space isn’t slowing down, it’s been breaking records for years. In 2022, deal volume hit a new high, and many firms suddenly found themselves bigger, more complex, and under pressure to onboard advisors, transition portfolios, and scale fast.
A huge part of that work comes down to technology. Choosing the right tools matters, but long‑term success depends even more on how you manage the change, implement the tools, and make them part of everyday workflows.
Here’s how to make post‑M&A technology work for you.
Before you plug systems together, decide how you want your combined organization to operate.
Ask yourself:
New advisors coming into an established organization need clarity. A centralized model brings consistency, while a localized model brings flexibility. The right answer depends on your culture and how you want to scale.
Attracting (and keeping) great people matters just as much as choosing great technology.
A few things to keep in mind:
Some roles need someone ready to scale quickly. Others need someone who brings stability and wants to grow within the role. A blended bench is a strong bench.
M&A can make everything more complex — client data, workflows, and integrations. Technology can either solve the friction or add to it.
Focus on:
Ask how integrated your tech really is. How many steps does it take to open an account? How often is data entered twice? The answers tell you where to focus.
Technology only works when people use it. These five steps help make the transition smoother.
Change is hard. Communicate clearly and often. Don’t let vendors be the ones breaking the news that platforms are switching, that message should come from you.
Avoid overpromising. If advisors won’t be able to keep using their old models or trading tools, say so upfront. Transparency builds trust.
Don’t build a tech plan without the people who will use it daily. Include decision‑makers, operations, and end users in planning and implementation.
Document everything — or ask your vendor to help. They’ve seen best practices across firms and can help refine your workflows after the merger.
You didn’t merge to stay the same. Embrace the shifts that allow you to scale, work more efficiently, and operate as one team. Set clear goals and move toward them together.
Your technology providers shouldn’t just be vendors — they should be partners. M&A transitions are complex, and the right tech partner brings experience, perspective, and support. At RedBlack, our customer success team helps firms:
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but with the right support, your post‑M&A tech strategy can become a real competitive advantage.