Merit Acquires Bridgeway for $900M in Assets

Merit Financial Advisors has successfully acquired The Bridgeway Group, a prominent wealth management firm operating out of Southern California with offices in Pasadena and Covina. This strategic move signifies Merit's 61st acquisition and its ninth partnership finalized in 2026. Bridgeway, which manages approximately $900 million in assets, is known for its financial planning and investment management services, with a particular focus on retirement planning.

The nine-member team from Bridgeway will transition to Merit Financial Advisors, adopting the Merit brand. Long-time Bridgeway partners Matt Dupon and Sean Montgomery will serve as wealth managers and partners, while Scott Miller will take on the role of area director, wealth manager, and partner. Bridgeway previously maintained a 13-year affiliation with Commonwealth Financial Network and reported an impressive annual growth rate of about 22% over the past five years.

Tait Lane, managing principal and partner at Merit Financial Advisors, highlighted that Bridgeway is a high-performing firm with significant momentum. He emphasized Merit's role as a supportive partner focused on removing operational constraints and enhancing capacity for growth, rather than altering the existing business model. This acquisition is part of Merit's ongoing expansion strategy, which recently included the acquisition of Strategic Retirement Plans in April.