WINNER: RIA Firm of the Year

Merit Financial Advisors

facebook.com/MeritFinancialGroup

@meritfinadvisor

@FTI_Global

@franklintempleton

Merit Financial Advisors is a national wealth management firm with nearly $12 billion in assets, serving 20,000+ clients in 48 offices and with 250 teammates. Merit Financial Advisors exists to enrich the lives of those we serve. Our mission is to revolutionize the client experience by building the RIA of the future. Merit is InvestmentNews RIA Firm of the Year in 2024, Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firm in 2023, Barron’s Top 100 Private Wealth Management Team in 2023, and Forbes Top RIA Firm 2023. Merit supports advisors affiliated with independent broker-dealers, as well as those who are registered investment advisors. Our focus is on growth – both supporting clients in exceeding their financial goals and supporting advisors in evolving and expanding their businesses. Merit provides its advisors and offices with practice management resources, an industry-leading technology platform, superior operational support, and the investment expertise needed to drive growth and deliver a dynamic client experience. Our team serves as a professional partner on the path to growth. Merit equips advisors with the tools and resources needed to build revenues, expand their practices, and grow as a professional.

@blackfishfinance

Song Song

Director, East Team

Kay Lynn Mayhue

President

Rick Kent

Founder and CEO

Song Song is Director of EverBright Finance’s East Team. Prior to joining the company, he gained 12 years’ experience in banking, including in leadership, lending and operations risk control roles. His most recent position was at BNZ as Regional Manager in SME Acquisition. Song’s experience and knowledge of the banking industry give him a great understanding of clients’ financial goals and how to take them there. Song specialises in several areas, such as business and commercial lending, property finance, cash flow lending and budgeting, residential home lending, investment property lending and business planning. His proficiency in these areas enables him to provide tailored financial solutions to his clients.

Director, East Team

Song Song

Rick is an entrepreneur and visionary leader who founded Merit on a servant-leadership philosophy and a commitment to helping individuals reach their financial goals while supporting fellow advisors and entrepreneurs in meeting their professional goals. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to the industry, including being ranked among the Forbes Top 10 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in Georgia for two consecutive years. Rick has a clear vision for Merit’s growth, designing a program that allows advisors to align with Merit in a number of ways. Rick delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. Audiences appreciate his practical strategies they can apply directly to their business models. Rick offers his insights to business owners, advisors, and executives. Having been a key player in multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years, Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better. Earning many awards for his financial services capabilities, his team, and his vision has further highlighted Rick’s journey toward excellence. His perspective motivated him to coach, develop, inspire, and mentor fellow advisors as they strive to keep up with the ever-changing financial services industry. He brings this same dedication to his work with business leaders to empower their teams and achieve greater success. Being a successful entrepreneur, Rick started multiple companies, making him a diverse leader willing to share his recipes for success with others.

Founder and CEO

Rick Kent

Kay Lynn has played many roles in the financial advisory industry: successor, partner, seller, and buyer. This unique and diverse background allows her to be able to relate to advisors in all phases of their careers and mergers and acquisitions. With a background in financial planning and leadership, her career expands over several areas, including advising clients, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth. Kay Lynn worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-suite table as President of Merit, which manages $12 billion in RIA and brokerage assets under management. She holds her CFP®, AEP®, and RFC® and has been a critical decision-maker for two firms over the past 20 years. Kay Lynn has overseen multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years and has been recognized for her position as a female leader in the financial services industry. She is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels. Kay Lynn’s influence in the industry and her drive for success have been catalysts for Merit’s ongoing growth and appeal to growth-oriented advisors.

President

Kay Lynn Mayhue