Cerity Partners Merges with Gilbert & Cook, Building on More Than 30 Years Serving Clients and Families in Iowa

The merger brings together two relationship-driven wealth management firms with shared core values and a commitment to long-term client service.

CHICAGO and DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerity Partners and Gilbert & Cook today announced their intention to merge, effective at the end of September. Cerity Partners is a leading independent wealth management and investment advisory firm with offices nationwide. Gilbert & Cook is a respected wealth management firm based in West Des Moines, Iowa. Through the merger, Gilbert & Cook will operate under the Cerity Partners name, enhancing access to an extensive suite of wealth management services, including financial planning, investment management, business owner advisory, multigenerational estate planning, private family office services, divorce financial planning, and private markets investing. This partnership marks Cerity Partners' entry into the Iowa market and brings together two client-focused firms united by a shared commitment to personalized advice, deep relationships, and high-quality service.

Founded in 1993, Gilbert & Cook has earned national recognition serving individuals, families and business owners with an integrated, client-centered approach to financial planning, investment management and sophisticated wealth strategies. The firm will contribute approximately $2 billion in assets under management to Cerity Partners.

"This partnership represents an exciting milestone for both firms," said Claire O'Keefe, Partner & Head of Partner Development at Cerity Partners. "Gilbert & Cook has built an outstanding reputation based on trust, expertise, and an unwavering dedication to their clients. By bringing our firms together, we are strengthening our ability to deliver deeply personalized, integrated wealth advice while expanding our reach into the Des Moines community. We're thrilled to welcome our talented new partners and colleagues to Cerity Partners and look forward to the impact we will make together for many years to come." 

"For more than 30 years, our mission has been centered on building relationships—with our clients, with one another, and with the community we are proud to call home—to help clients navigate life's financial decisions through trusted and thoughtful guidance," said Linda Cook, Founder & Managing Partner of Gilbert & Cook. "Joining Cerity Partners is a natural next step in that journey. At the heart of the decision to join Cerity Partners was a strong alignment in values and philosophy. This partnership allows us to preserve the values and personalized service our clients have always counted on while opening the door to expanded resources, specialized resources and experience, and new opportunities. We're incredibly excited about the future and what this means for our clients, our team, and the broader community we serve." 

Together, Cerity Partners and Gilbert & Cook will continue to deliver the high-touch, relationship-driven experience clients expect while providing access to an even broader range of capabilities designed to help individuals, families, and business owners achieve their financial goals with confidence. Expanded resources include financial planning, investment management, tax, estate planning, business owner advisory and private family office services.

Advisors
Houlihan Lokey is representing Gilbert & Cook in this combination, and Sissel Law is providing legal counsel. Lowenstein Sandler is providing legal counsel to Cerity Partners in this combination.

About Cerity Partners
Founded in 2009, Cerity Partners is a nationally recognized wealth management firm serving high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, business owners, and institutions with an extensive range of financial planning, investment, tax, and retirement solutions. Learn more at ceritypartners.com.

About Gilbert & Cook
Founded in 1993 and based in West Des Moines, Iowa, Gilbert & Cook is a wealth management firm dedicated to empowering clients to Live a Life of Abundance®. The firm provides financial planning, investment management, business owner consultation, generational estate planning, private family office services, divorce financial planning, and private markets investing to individuals, families, and business owners. Learn more at gilbertcook.com.

Media Contact
[email protected]

SOURCE Cerity Partners