Hightower Completes Strategic Investment in Financial Planning and Information Services, Inc.

Hightower to Enable $1.1B Wisconsin RIA to Grow Yet Maintain Boutique Sensibility

CHICAGO—October 29, 2024—Hightower announced today that it has made a strategic investment in Financial Planning and Information Services, Inc. (“FPIS”), a wealth management and financial planning team in De Pere, WI, with more than $1.1 billion in assets under management.

Led by second generation leaders including President and CEO Ryan Wempe and Vice Presidents Dan Budinger and Rachel Brown, FPIS was founded in 1985 by Lon Mishler to provide holistic wealth management for clients. As part of this transaction, FPIS promoted two individuals to partner, Brock Becker and Carl Ekstrom, who are important to the team’s growth strategy. Going forward the 16-person team will retain its brand, investment philosophy, and its approach to personalized and high-touch client service in the local Green Bay community.

“FPIS built its practice on a core principle that is still its backbone nearly 40 years later,” said Hightower Chairman and CEO Bob Oros. “Their leaders’ decision to join Hightower highlights our shared dedication to community and the importance of developing long-term, generational wealth relationships. I could not be more pleased to welcome them into our community as they continue to grow their practice.”

FPIS is the fifth firm Hightower has made a strategic investment in this year. With a range of value-added resources, including a national in-house trust company and a wholly owned CPA firm operating as a tax subsidiary offering high-end tax planning and preparation services, Hightower aims to create an environment for advisors to better align themselves with clients’ needs and experience the next phase of independence for their teams. 

“We have always operated on the belief that long-term wealth relationships should be built on hard work, communication and a broad range of services,” said FPIS President and CEO Ryan Wempe. “As our client-centric practice continues to grow, we’re pleased to join the Hightower team, gaining access to new services and tools that will help us better guide our clients through the triumphs and the challenges of life.”

Hightower is comprised of 140 advisory teams in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Hightower offers a wide range of services for accelerating organic growth, including business development consulting, leadership and team development, talent acquisition, marketing support, technology, investment management resources, compliance, accounting, payroll, and human resources. Advisory groups that partner with Hightower also receive access to inorganic growth services such as sourcing, valuation, deal structuring, due diligence, legal and regulatory, pre- and post-close integration, and capital resources for M&A transactions. As of June 30, 2024, Hightower’s assets under management (AUM) were approximately $156 billion.

In the transaction, FPIS was advised by Advisor Growth Strategies.

About Hightower
Hightower is a wealth management firm that provides investment, financial, and retirement planning services to individuals, foundations, and family offices, as well as 401(k) consulting and cash management services to corporations. Hightower’s capital solutions, operational support services, size, and scale empower its vibrant community of independent-minded wealth advisors to grow their businesses and help their clients achieve their vision of “well-th. rebalanced.” Based in Chicago with advisors across the U.S., the firm operates as a registered investment advisor (RIA). Learn more about Hightower’s collaborative business model at www.hightoweradvisors.com.

Securities offered through Hightower Securities, LLC member FINRA/SIPC. Hightower Advisors, LLC is a SEC registered investment advisor.