Merit Financial Advisors Acquires $888 Million Team in Chicago

Brennan, who spent 27 years affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network, brings a practice that serves over 1,000 households from his base in Deerfield, Illinois. His transition to Merit includes the simultaneous acquisition of a $57 million advisory practice in Wisconsin, where he has maintained a local presence for over 15 years. This dual-market expansion aligns with Merit’s broader growth strategy, which now encompasses more than $32.92 billion in total assets across 70 offices.

David Wahlen, Merit’s Executive Vice President of Strategic Partners, highlighted the cultural fit and the potential for regional synergy. Brennan’s team will continue operating from their existing Deerfield office, while Merit plans to leverage its established Wisconsin infrastructure to support his practice’s growth in the Fond du Lac and Oshkosh markets. The partnership, effective September 10, 2026, emphasizes Merit's focus on integrating established local talent with next-generation advisory teams to scale its regional operations.