Why Captrust's $1 Trillion Play Is the Smart Move for 2025

Wesley ParkWednesday, Jun 4, 2025 6:59 am ET
3min read

The wealth management industry is at a crossroads. Geopolitical storms, tech-driven disruption, and a $159 trillion global advisory market primed for consolidation are creating a “winner-takes-all” environment. Amid this chaos, one firm has positioned itself as the ultimate consolidator: Captrust Financial Advisors, which recently breached the $1 trillion assets under management (AUM) milestone. Under the leadership of M&A guru Mike Wunderli, Captrust is executing a bold strategy to merge institutional retirement assets with high-net-worth wealth management—creating a juggernaut investors can't afford to ignore.

The Wunderli Difference: A Master of M&A at the Helm

Wunderli isn't just another executive—he's a serial dealmaker with a 20-year track record of turning mergers into gold. Before joining Captrust, he orchestrated over $2 billion in transactions at Lehman Brothers and

, then spearheaded strategic acquisitions at Echelon Partners. His hiring in 2024 signals Captrust's ambition to dominate this consolidation wave.

Wunderli's expertise isn't just in sourcing deals—it's in execution. Captrust's integration machine has absorbed 81 firms since 2006, adding $245 billion in AUM, with a 98% client retention rate since 2007. That's no accident. As Wunderli told Bloomberg, “We don't just buy assets—we acquire cultures and clients, then fuse them into a single, thriving ecosystem.”

The $1 Trillion Tipping Point: Why Size Matters Now

Captrust's scale isn't just a number—it's a strategic weapon. With $1 trillion in AUM, the firm commands pricing power, able to negotiate lower fees and better terms with fund providers. But the real magic happens at the intersection of retirement plans and individual wealth.

Here's the play:
- Institutional Roots: 50% of Captrust's AUM comes from retirement plans. By advising Fortune 500 companies on 401(k)s, they've built a pipeline to millions of employees—prime targets for wealth management services.
- High-Net-Worth Hook: Wunderli's teams are cross-selling these employees into personalized wealth strategies, creating a dual revenue stream. The result? A flywheel effect where every acquisition in retirement services fuels growth in private wealth—and vice versa.

Why Now? Three Reasons to Bet on Captrust's M&A Machine

  1. Industry Fragmentation is a Goldmine: The wealth management sector remains splintered, with 85% of advisors managing under $1 billion. Wunderli's team is hunting these firms—especially those with unique niches in private markets or tech-driven platforms. The prize? Capturing $70 trillion in wealth set to transfer to millennials and Gen Z, who demand digital-first, AI-powered advice.

  2. Private Markets Are the New Growth Engine: The $1 trillion figure isn't just about size—it's about asset mix. Private equity, real estate, and infrastructure now make up 77% of global alternative allocations. Captrust's acquisitions are loading up on these assets, which are harder to access for smaller firms. With GenAI tools streamlining due diligence and portfolio optimization, Wunderli's teams can scale these offerings faster than rivals.

  3. Regulatory Tailwinds: The Department of Labor's fiduciary rule updates are squeezing small advisors. Captrust's deep compliance expertise (earned through 27 years of ERISA-plan advising) acts as a shield—while its scale lets it absorb regulatory costs that would cripple competitors.

The Risk? Think Small Firms Can't Compete—And They Can't

Critics will cite integration risks or overpaying for deals. But here's the truth: Captrust has done this before. Their 81 acquisitions since 2006 include firms like Wealth Enhancement Group (2020) and Crescent Financial (2023), which added $14.7 billion in AUM. Wunderli's integration team isn't just efficient—it's proven.

Meanwhile, smaller firms are stuck in a death spiral: too small to invest in GenAI tools, too fragmented to compete in private markets, and too exposed to regulatory costs. The writing is on the wall—consolidation is inevitable, and Captrust is the only game in town with the size, tech, and leadership to win.

Bottom Line: This Is a Core Holding for 2025

If you're waiting for a dip to buy into wealth management, you'll miss the train. Captrust isn't just a beneficiary of trends—it's defining them. With Wunderli at the helm, a $1 trillion base, and a strategy that turns every acquisition into a growth rocket, this is a “buy now, hold forever” play.

The stock isn't public yet—Captrust is backed by GTCR and Carlyle—but mark my words: when it goes public, it'll be a multi-bagger. Until then, investors in related sectors (like robo-advisors or private equity) should take note: the future of wealth management is institutional and individual, all in one firm.

Action Plan: Add Captrust to your watchlist. If you can't invest directly, track its M&A announcements—they're the best indicator of where this $1 trillion juggernaut is headed next. This isn't just a company—it's the next great consolidation story of our time.

Final Call: Wunderli's Captrust isn't playing checkers; it's playing chess. And right now, it's checkmate for the competition. Don't miss the move of the decade.