Wunderli Takes Helm of Captrust M&A
Company - People | Jun 04, 2025 | EIN
Captrust Financial Advisors has appointed Mike Wunderli as the new head of mergers and acquisitions after a year-long search. Wunderli, formerly a managing director at Echelon Partners, will oversee deal-making activities within Captrust's wealth management and institutional plan advice sectors. The company emphasized the importance of finding an experienced leader to navigate the competitive M&A landscape in the wealth management industry. This appointment follows previous M&A leadership changes at Captrust, including the departures of Rush Benton and David Wahlen. Wunderli's extensive experience in the sell side of the industry and capital raising were highlighted as key assets. Wunderli previously held senior roles at Lehman Brothers and UBS. He was attracted to Captrust due to its successful track record in integrating registered investment advisors (RIAs). The wealth management industry is undergoing significant consolidation, presenting opportunities for strong firms to lead and define the future.
Sectors
- Wealth Management
- Investment Banking
Geography
- United States – Captrust is based in Raleigh, N.C., USA, and Mike Wunderli's previous roles were in leading American financial institutions.
Industry
- Wealth Management – The article focuses on Captrust's strategies and leadership changes in wealth management M&A.
- Investment Banking – Mike Wunderli brings his experience from Echelon Partners, a firm specializing in investment banking for the wealth and asset management industries.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captrust Financial Advisors | Company seeking M&A leadership | Company | $1 trillion registered investment advisor based in Raleigh, N.C. |
| Mike Wunderli | Incoming Head of M&A | Person | Former managing director at Echelon Partners, with prior experience at Lehman Brothers and UBS. |
| Echelon Partners | Former Company of Mike Wunderli | Company | Investment bank focusing on M&A activities across wealth and asset management industries. |
| Lehman Brothers | Former Employer of Mike Wunderli | Company | Global financial services firm where Wunderli held a senior role in the private wealth division. |
| UBS | Former Employer of Mike Wunderli | Company | Global financial institution; Wunderli was a senior vice president in private wealth. |
| Gorman Jones | Company founded by former Captrust M&A head | Company | Advisory firm founded by Rush Benton, former Captrust M&A head. |
| Merit Financial Advisors | Current Company of former Captrust M&A lead | Company | Financial advisory firm where David Wahlen, a former Captrust M&A lead, is head of M&A. |