Lucia Capital Group commences Acquisition Strategy Through Asset Purchase Agreement With West Coast Asset Management

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucia Capital Group ("Lucia Capital" or "the firm"), a family of companies in the wealth advice and asset management space, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the purchase of the managed equity and fixed income accounts of West Coast Asset Management (WCAM). As part of this agreement, WCAM's key leadership team members will also join Lucia Capital. Based in the Santa Barbara area, WCAM is an independent registered investment advisor focused on providing equity, fixed income and alternative asset management services to a select group of high-net-worth investors encompassing individuals, institutions, retirement plans and charitable foundations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lucia Capital will acquire WCAM's client relationships from WCAM and will welcome two of its key leaders to the firm. Lance Helfert, President of WCAM, will join Lucia Capital as a Senior Vice President, while WCAM's Chief Investment Officer, Atticus Lowe, CFA, will join Lucia Capital's research and investment management group.

Commenting on the transaction, Derek Bruton, Chief Executive Officer of Lucia Capital, said, "We are delighted to enter into this agreement with West Coast Asset Management and welcome to our firm Lance Helfert and Atticus Lowe, two highly skilled veterans of the high-net-worth space. WCAM has a clear value proposition in the market and a strong history of offering elite asset management solutions and superior client service. We look forward to working very closely with Lance and Atticus to warmly welcome their valued clients and provide exceptional support for many years to come."

This move is consistent with Lucia Capital's recently announced growth plans, which place a heavy emphasis on adding strategic acquisitions to the firm's registered investment advisor, Lucia Wealth Services, and reinforces its position within the Southern California marketplace. The addition of Atticus Lowe also supports Lucia Capital's previously stated commitment to building out its research team as a comprehensive support platform for the advisors and end clients the firm serves.

WCAM's President, Lance Helfert, said, "Lucia Capital is recognized within the independent wealth and asset management spaces as a firm with a clear value proposition for advisors and end clients alike, led by a strong management team and staff who emphasize a high level of client service. While we've known individual principals of the firm for years, our due diligence process reinforced the validity of Lucia Capital's industry reputation, making us highly confident that this move will be very smooth and beneficial for our clients. We have strong chemistry, trust and shared values with Lucia Capital, and we are confident that joining forces through this transaction will provide our clients with enhanced resources to meet their needs and offer them access to an expanded universe of investment offerings and services."

Mr. Bruton concluded, "This transaction with West Coast Asset Management is just the beginning of a focused acquisition strategy for Lucia Capital. Going forward, we will continue to aggressively explore acquisition opportunities with other independent firms that can benefit from Lucia Capital's years of experience, strategic vision and industry-leading financial planning and investment offerings."

With the addition of the WCAM's offices in the Santa Barbara area in California, Lucia Capital Group now has 17 offices nationwide with over 70 employees. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, the firm oversees approximately $2.3 billion of client assets.

About Lucia Capital Group
Headquartered in San Diego, California, Lucia Capital Group encompasses a family of companies across multiple financial services businesses. Through its subsidiaries, Lucia Securities, LLC and Lucia Wealth Services, and affiliate, Lucia Capital Management, LLC, Lucia Capital Group offers a range of investment options and wealth advisory services, including asset management, investment platform management, and product origination. Lucia Capital Group's financial advisors oversee approximately $2.3 billion in fee-based, brokerage, fixed insurance and variable insurance assets. Lucia Capital Management, LLC manages The Multi-Strategy Growth & Income Fund (NASDAQ: MSFDX). With offices and meeting locations nationwide, Lucia Capital is committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals. For more information, please visit www.LuciaCapitalGroup.com.

As of December 31, 2013, client assets managed by RJL Wealth Management, LLC totaled $201,404,083 in discretionary accounts and $189,786,886 in non-discretionary accounts. In addition, our investment advisor representatives, in their separate capacities as Lucia Securities, LLC registered representatives, oversee $1,667,922,582 of assets in non-discretionary, traditional commission-based accounts. All services provided through Lucia Securities, LLC are non-discretionary. Our investment advisor representatives, in their separate capacities as licensed insurance agents, oversee $193,874,441 in fixed-annuity products. As of December 31, 2013, RJL Capital Management, LLC had $110,195,802 in discretionary assets under management.

Lucia Capital Group is the holding company for three wholly owned subsidiaries: Lucia Securities, LLC, a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC; Lucia Wealth Services, a Registered Investment Advisor; and Lucia Management Company. Lucia Capital Management, LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor and is under common ownership with Lucia Securities, LLC.

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SOURCE Lucia Capital Group