Waverly Advisors Bolsters New England Presence with $447M Bridge Creek Capital Acquisition

Waverly Advisors, a nationally recognized RIA, has added Bridge Creek Capital Management, a Cape Cod investment advisory firm, to its growing roster of acquisitions. This transaction expands Waverly’s geographic reach into Massachusetts while bringing key advisory talent and meaningful assets under its umbrella.

Deal Summary

• Buyer: Waverly Advisors, a fee-only RIA known for investment management, financial planning, and wealth advisory for high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and retirement plans.
• Target: Bridge Creek Capital Management, founded by Barry Paster (alongside partner Scott Myers), offering disciplined long-term investment strategies and personalized planning.
• Assets: The acquisition brings in roughly $447 million in AUM, increasing Waverly’s total assets to about $26 billion as of October 31, 2025.
• Team Integration: The entire Bridge Creek team, including Paster and Myers, is joining Waverly.
• Timing: The deal closed on October 31, 2025.
• M&A Context: This marks Waverly’s 27th acquisition since its equity investment in December 2021 via Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC’s Aspire platform.

Industry Context

Waverly’s move reflects a broader consolidation wave in the wealth management industry. RIAs are increasingly merging to combine scale, trust relationships, and a wider offering of services. The acquisition of Bridge Creek brings Waverly trusted New England relationships, adding regional strength alongside local expertise.

Massachusetts, particularly Cape Cod, is a compelling market: high-net-worth individuals, retirees, and family offices are often concentrated in such regions, and they value advisors with both local roots and broad capabilities. By acquiring Bridge Creek, Waverly accelerates its presence beyond its traditional Southern strongholds into the Northeast.

Lower-Middle-Market Roll-Up Perspective

Viewed through a roll-up lens, this transaction highlights several strategic pillars:

• Cultural Alignment: Bridge Creek’s client-focused mindset mirrors Waverly’s own values, easing integration and preserving trust.
• Asset Accumulation + Scale: Adding $447 million in AUM is not just about growth - it's about infusing Waverly with experienced advisory talent and established client relationships.
• Geographic Diversification: This deal marks Waverly’s deliberate expansion in the Northeast, balancing its national footprint more evenly.
• Succession and Next-Gen Planning: For Bridge Creek, partnering with a larger platform enables continuity for clients while giving the founders growth capital and infrastructure.
• Platform Momentum & PE Support: This is part of a fast-moving inorganic growth strategy backed by Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC.

Why This Sector Is Attractive for Roll-Ups

• Regional Trust Matters: Clients in markets like Cape Cod often prefer local advisors, making regional RIAs attractive targets.
• Recurring Advisory Revenue: As wealth clients demand more holistic planning (investments, retirement, estate), RIAs with deep planning expertise become more valuable.
• Value of Scale + Infrastructure: Smaller firms benefit from joining platforms with broader resources - trading independence for access to technology, compliance, and research.
• Private Capital Driving Growth: Firms like Waverly with PE-style backing can execute multiple acquisitions quickly, building a national brand while preserving boutique client service.

Conclusion

Waverly’s acquisition of Bridge Creek Capital Management is a strategically smart move: it broadens Waverly’s Northeast reach, adds nearly half a billion in AUM, and brings onboard a seasoned advisory team aligned with its culture. For Waverly’s growth engine, this is another bolt-on to its national platform.

For founders and principals at RIAs, the deal underscores the power of partnering with a values-aligned platform that offers scalability without losing the personal touch. And for investors, Waverly’s disciplined roll-up model - now reaching its 27th deal - continues to validate the long-term value of building a cohesive, national RIA through thoughtful M&A.