EP Wealth Expands Bay Area Presence with $900M Opes Wealth Management Acquisition
EP Wealth, a registered investment advisor based in Torrance, California, has recently made headlines with its acquisition of Opes Wealth Management, a firm located in Menlo Park with over $900 million in assets under management. This acquisition marks EP Wealth's fifth deal of 2026, significantly expanding its presence in the Bay Area to approximately $6 billion in assets. Founded in 2005, Opes Wealth Management was established to integrate real estate and wealth management expertise, a vision spearheaded by co-founders Mark Duvall and Erin Whalen. The merger is seen as a strategic move, with EP Wealth expressing admiration for the quality of the Opes team and their unique planning-first approach. Kyle Miller, EP's chief M&A partnership officer, highlighted the firm's impressive track record of organic growth and its specialized focus on clients in the technology sector and those with substantial real estate holdings. This alignment is expected to enhance EP Wealth's offerings, particularly in family office services and comprehensive planning capabilities. As part of the transition, the eight-member Opes team will join EP Wealth, with Duvall and Whalen taking on roles as regional directors. The acquisition comes at a time when demand for EP's family office suite of services is at an all-time high, reflecting a growing interest in integrated tax, trust, planning, and estate services. Miller noted that the firm is well-positioned to meet this demand, providing a robust platform for Opes to expand its services. Additionally, EP Wealth recently introduced a cash-based incentive program aimed at non-shareholder employees, designed to align economic incentives and foster a culture of shared success. This initiative underscores the firm’s commitment to ensuring that all employees contribute to and benefit from EP's growth, further solidifying its position in the competitive wealth management landscape.
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