EP Wealth Adds 2nd RIA in Greater Philly Area with Acquisition of $1B Firm

EP Wealth Advisors LLC, a $16.1 billion independent registered investment advisor (RIA), is expanding its East Coast presence with the purchase of Lehman & DeRafelo Financial Resources LLC, a Media, PA-based RIA with about $1 billion in client assets.

Financial details of the deal were not made available.

Lehman & DeRafelo offers financial planning and investment management services, including a significant alternative investment strategy that EP Wealth intends to integrate with its other services, with a focus on high-net-worth clients.

Firm principals Rich DeRafelo and Ron Lehman will each assume the role of Regional Director, while Jeff Lehman will become a Senior Wealth Advisor. In total, four advisors and two support staff will join EP Wealth.

“As EP Wealth grows to a nationwide firm, we continue to enhance our financial, tax, estate and specialized planning capabilities, paired with diverse investment solutions that help clients advance toward their goals,” said Patrick Goshtigian, CFA, CEO of EP Wealth.

The deal marks Torrance, CA-based EP Wealth’s second acquisition in the greater Philadelphia area and its eighth office on the east coast, as well as its 28th deal since taking a minority investment from Wealth Partners Capital Group.