Gratus Capital to Join The Colony Group

By: Focus Financial Partners Inc. via Business Wire

July 16, 2024 at 08:15 AM EDT

Focus Financial Partners Inc., a leading partnership of fiduciary wealth management and related financial services firms, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which Focus partner firm Gratus Capital, LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia will join fellow Focus firm The Colony Group, LLC. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

Gratus, which joined Focus as a partner firm in 2014, predominantly services high net worth individuals and families in areas ranging from investment management and comprehensive financial planning to business owner strategies. Upon completion of this transaction, Gratus is expected to add approximately $3.8 billion in regulatory assets under management, measured as of May 31, 2024, to Colony’s assets.

Through this transaction, Gratus will gain access to Colony’s depth of expertise, tools, and resources, including tax and family office services. Colony will be strengthened by Gratus’ talented team, who excel in providing clients with holistic, tailored financial advice. This transaction will also strengthen Colony’s presence in the Southeast by adding an important footprint in the strategic Atlanta market.

“Gratus was founded on the mission of helping clients make the most of their life journey. Joining Colony is a natural step in continuing to offer and expand the expertise, guidance, and hands-on advice that our clients rely on to accomplish their life’s goals,” said Hank McLarty, Founder and CEO of Gratus.

“Gratus’ expanding team is a strong fit for our organization,” said Adam Birenbaum, who became CEO of Colony through its recent combination with Buckingham Strategic Wealth, LLC. “Their culture and processes have enabled their growth, and the resources we are cultivating at Colony will be deployed to help firms like Gratus maintain and accelerate that growth.”

“Colony has grown considerably over the last year, and the combination with Gratus will add to this momentum,” said Michael Nathanson, CEO of Focus. “Gratus’ commitment to creating successful client and team member experiences aligns with what Colony has built.”

About Focus Financial Partners Inc.

Focus is a leading partnership of fiduciary wealth management and related financial services firms. Focus provides access to best practices, greater resources and continuity planning for its affiliated advisory firms, which serve individuals, families, employers and institutions with comprehensive financial services. Focus firms and their clients benefit from the solutions, synergies, scale, economics and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

About The Colony Group, LLC

Colony is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) with 92 locations across 30 states, plus the District of Columbia. Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training and does not imply that the SEC has endorsed or approved the qualifications of Colony or its representatives. With origins dating back to 1986, Colony’s team provides individuals and families, executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, athletes and entertainers, institutions and non-profit organizations with deep expertise that goes beyond investment management and can encompass tax, estate, retirement and philanthropic planning, asset allocation and sustainable investing solutions, family office services, business management services, divorce and dispute resolution services, and life-enrichment services through Curated by Colony^TM. For more information about Colony, please visit www.thecolonygroup.com and follow Colony on LinkedIn.

About Gratus Capital, LLC

With roots dating back to 2005, Atlanta-based Gratus was launched on the belief that there is a more valuable way for advisors to work with clients. From the Latin word meaning grateful, Gratus provides customized, hands-on financial advice and tailored investment advisory, financial planning, and other wealth management services. For more about the firm, please visit https://gratuscapital.com/.