Carson Group Holdings Announces $35 Million Growth Capital Investment Led by Long Ridge Equity Partners

OMAHA, Neb., May 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Carson Group Holdings ("Carson"), a leading provider of wealth management services to financial advisors and clients, today announced a $35 million minority investment led by Long Ridge Equity Partners with participation from key members of the Carson executive leadership team. The financing provides capital for additional investment in advisor solutions, technology, and resources, as well as additional strategic support. In connection with the investment, Jim Brown and Kevin Bhatt of Long Ridge Equity Partners will join the Carson Board of Directors.

Concurrent with the investment, Carson Wealth Management Group and Peak Advisor Alliance announced their reorganization under a new parent holding company, Carson Group Holdings. The reorganization signifies Carson's integrated offering and unified focus on empowering advisors and their clients.

Through its three companies, Carson Wealth, Peak Advisor Alliance, and Carson Institutional Alliance, Carson offers a range of services to high-net-worth investors and financial advisors. Carson's founder and CEO, Ron Carson, is one of the most celebrated and respected financial advisors and executives in the industry. Most recently, he was inducted into Barron's inaugural Hall of Fame.*

Founded in 1983, Carson Wealth has grown to over $6.5 billion in assets under advisement** and is one of the largest wealth advisory firms in the country, serving clients through holistic financial planning, disciplined investment strategies, and proactive personal service.

In 1993, Ron launched Peak Advisor Alliance ("Peak") as a way to share his insights and formulas for growing an exceptional advisory practice. Since then, Peak has evolved into a national leading financial advisor coaching and resource program, designed to help growth-minded advisors build their businesses through coaching support, time-tested content, and access to a passionate community of elite advisors.

Carson's newest organization, Carson Institutional Alliance, empowers advisors to improve client service, efficiently run their practice, grow their business and build a legacy through a Turnkey Integrated Partnership. Alliance Partners are able to leverage the Barron's Hall of Fame Carson team and deliver a revolutionary client wealth experience. Key attributes of the partnership include Carson Institutional's investment process, fully integrated technology platform, proven marketing capabilities, and proactive and streamlined operational and compliance support.  Since its inception in 2012, Carson Institutional has grown to 37 Partner firms in 44 locations across the U.S., while increasing AUM over 100% each year of operation.

"Given their deep expertise with high-growth financial services companies, Long Ridge represents an ideal partner for us at this stage of our company's growth," said Ron Carson. "Long Ridge's capital and strategic support will accelerate our growth and enable us to continue delivering a premier level of service to our clients and advisor partners."

"Carson's value proposition deeply resonates with advisors and clients," said Jim Brown, Long Ridge Managing Partner. "Over the last 30 years, Ron and the Carson team have built an unparalleled brand and reputation within the wealth management community. We are excited to partner with Carson as they continue to build their business and deliver industry-leading advisor and client service."

ABOUT LONG RIDGE EQUITY PARTNERS

Founded in 2007, Long Ridge Equity Partners is a private investment firm focused on the financial services industry. Leveraging deep sector knowledge and an extensive network of industry resources, Long Ridge serves as a value-added partner to high-growth financial services businesses. Over the last fifteen years, Long Ridge's principals have sponsored some of the most successful growth companies in the financial sector, providing strategic resources and capital to drive profitable expansion. Long Ridge has raised over $400 million of committed capital for investment in the financial services sector.

For more information on Long Ridge Equity Partners, please visit www.longridgecap.com.

ABOUT CARSON GROUP HOLDINGS 

The Carson Group serves financial advisors and investors through its businesses including Peak Advisor Alliance, Carson Institutional Alliance and Carson Wealth. We prepare today's advisors and investors for tomorrow's challenges through guidance, execution and growth. Founded in 1983, Peak Advisor Alliance empowers advisors to overcome key business challenges with personalized coaching, proven content and a passionate community. Carson Institutional Alliance empowers advisors to improve client service, efficiently run their practice, grow their business and build a legacy through our turnkey integrated partnership.  Through our partnership tools, resources and services, advisors provide their clients with an enhanced level of service and communication. Carson Wealth is one of the top wealth management firms in the country. Since 1983, Carson Wealth offers portfolio management and wealth planning services to high net-worth clients. All three organizations are headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska but serve a broad base of advisors and investors across the country.

*Barron's magazine, October 20, 2014 issue. The Barron's rankings are based on data provided by over 4,000 of the nation's most productive advisors. Factors included in the rankings: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work.
**Please note that the amount of CWM, LLC's Assets Under Advisement is considerably larger than the amount of the firms regulatory Assets Under Management. Assets Under Advisement include regulatory Assets Under Management reported in CWM, LLC's Form ADV I, in addition to assets with respect to which CWM, LLC may provide consulting and/or financial planning services, but does not have any management, execution or trading authority. CWM, LLC's regulatory Assets Under Management can be found in Item 5.F of CWM, LLC's Form ADV I, available at http://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.  

Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.

SOURCE Carson Group Holdings