Merchant, a global operating company providing growth capital, strategic resources, and support to independent financial services firms, recently announced a strategic growth partnership with WR Valuation, a provider of comprehensive business valuation services.

This collaboration significantly enhances the valuation capabilities available to Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and the business owners they serve, according to a press release.

WR Valuation brings an institutional-quality approach to the mid-market. The firm’s specialized 12-person team currently supports 37 public companies. This depth of experience enables WR to apply the same rigorous analysis to companies of all sizes, offering scalable solutions that benefit both advisors and their clients.

The partnership, the company stated, reinforces Merchant’s commitment to building a comprehensive ecosystem of essential services, serving not only RIAs but also private equity firms and closely held businesses.

Together, the two firms will offer an expanded range of solutions, including fund valuation, financial reporting, M&A support, and transaction-related support, enabled by Merchant’s deep relationships across capital markets.

“This is a natural continuation of what we began when partnering with Republic Capital Group,” Tim Bello, co-founder and managing partner at Merchant, said in the release.

For RIAs, WR Valuation offers services including transactional valuations, estate and gift tax appraisals, insurance needs assessments, ESOPs, and succession planning — helping advisors serve clients more holistically and deepen trusted relationships.

“Valuation is often a missing piece in the advisor-client relationship,” Robert Stutz, senior managing partner at WR Valuation, said. “Through this partnership, we’re making it easier for advisors to deliver high-quality insights when they matter most — whether preparing for a liquidity event or building a long-term estate plan.”

The partnership also unlocks new growth opportunities by leveraging Merchant’s broader suite of essential service providers, including trust services, strategic consulting, and succession solutions to deliver integrated value across the advisor and business owner journey.

“Being part of the Merchant community means more than just partnership, it’s about collaboration with a network of forward-thinking peers and trusted providers who share a vision for elevating the advisor experience,” David Orth, managing partner at WR Valuation, said. “Together, we’re expanding access to a full spectrum of valuation capabilities, empowering RIAs and business owners to make smarter, more strategic financial decisions that fuel long-term growth.”