EP Wealth Advisors Expands Northern California Presence with the Acquisition of Opes Wealth Management

EP Wealth Advisors has announced the acquisition of Menlo Park-based Opes Wealth Management, adding more than $900 million in assets under management to its platform. This transaction marks EP Wealth's fifth partnership of 2026 and significantly strengthens its footprint in the Silicon Valley region. The deal highlights the ongoing trend of consolidation within the wealth management sector as larger RIAs seek to integrate specialized planning expertise and localized market share.

EP Wealth Advisors, a fee-only registered investment advisor (RIA) managing over $44.1 billion in assets, has partnered with Opes Wealth Management to deepen its presence in Northern California. Based in Menlo Park, Opes brings over $900 million in assets under management (AUM) and a specialized focus on integrating real estate expertise with traditional financial planning. The firm was founded in 2005 by Mark Duvall, who leveraged his background in West Coast real estate development, and later expanded its investment capabilities under the leadership of Erin Whalen.

The acquisition specifically targets the high-net-worth tech sector in Silicon Valley, as Opes has extensive experience serving professionals from major companies like Apple and Google. As part of the transition, eight team members from Opes will join EP Wealth, with Duvall and Whalen assuming roles as Regional Directors. This move establishes a new regional hub for EP Wealth in a territory where it has operated since 2013, providing the Opes team with enhanced scale and resources while maintaining their planning-first client approach.

Leadership from both firms emphasized the cultural and strategic alignment of the deal, noting that the partnership was driven by a shared philosophy of integrated, client-first advice. Kyle Miller, Chief M&A Partnership Officer at EP Wealth, stated that Opes represents the growth-oriented and culturally aligned profile the firm seeks for its expansion strategy. Ryan Parker, CEO of EP Wealth, added that the acquisition allows the firm to better navigate complex financial decisions for families through Opes' established reputation. Alaris Acquisitions served as the exclusive M&A advisor to Opes for the transaction, the financial terms of which were not disclosed.