Focus Accelerates Growth of Partner Firms Through Strategic Transactions

New York, NY – March 5, 2018 – Focus Financial Partners (‘Focus’), a leading international partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms, today announced that strategic transactions and talent acquisitions have been completed for two of its partner firms: Buckingham Strategic Wealth (‘Buckingham’) and XML Financial Group (‘XML’).

• Buckingham Strategic Wealth: On March 1, 2018, WealthQuest Financial Services (‘WealthQuest’), an independent wealth management firm based in Norfolk, Virginia, merged with Buckingham. WealthQuest provides investment management and financial planning services to clients across the southeastern United States. The merger strengthens Buckingham’s existing presence in the greater Virginia area.
• XML Financial Group: XML has added Michelle Cooper and Eric Wightman as partners, fortifying the firm’s bench strength and expanding its client service offerings. With both JD and MBA degrees, Mrs. Cooper brings over 25 years of estate and trust experience. She is the Director and Founder of XML-W, Women, Wealth and Wellness, which will be launched simultaneously upon her joining. Prior to XML, Mrs. Cooper worked for Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust as a Director and Senior Trust Specialist focusing on high-net-worth clients. Mr. Wightman brings more than 20 years of experience helping clients to plan and invest for their futures with him to XML. Previously the Co-founder of The Wise Investor Group, Mr. Wightman also has experience as a lecturer and an educator – he frequently hosted The Wise Investor Radio Show. He started his investment career at Prudential Securities in 1997 and later worked at Ferris, Baker Watts (now RBC) and RW Baird.

“There is nothing more rewarding than helping our partner firms grow through strategic transactions and talent acquisitions, supporting their entrepreneurial visions and devotion to their clients. Clients always benefit from a broader range of services and deeper bench strength,” said Rudy Adolf, founder and CEO of Focus. “We take pride in our ability to provide access to capital and operational expertise; we are always looking for new ways to add value to the firms in the Focus partnership.”

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About Focus Financial Partners

Focus Financial Partners is a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms. Focus provides superior access to best practices, resources, and continuity planning for its partner firms who serve individuals, families, employers and institutions with wealth management, benefits consulting and investment consulting services. Focus partner firms maintain their operational independence, while they benefit from the synergies, scale, economics and best practices of a market leader to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus Financial Partners, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

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