Merit Acquires $225M Florida Team Specializing in First Responder Clients 

Merit Financial Advisors has acquired a specialized team from Second Half Financial Partners, LLC, adding $225 million in client assets and establishing its fifth Florida office. The Sebring-based group focuses on providing investment and retirement strategies for Florida’s first responders, including firefighters and law enforcement professionals. 

Mike Fitch, senior partner and majority owner of Second Half, will join Merit as a wealth manager and partner, along with his team. “Our first responders dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities, and it’s a privilege to support their financial well-being,” Fitch said. “By joining Merit, we gain the operational infrastructure to expand our reach, deepen our service model, and help more of these local heroes thrive financially.” 

Tyler Vernon, managing principal and partner at Merit, said the specialized team’s mission aligns closely with Merit’s core values of service, purpose, and growth. 

The acquisition follows Merit’s July deals for AMP Wealth Management and Olympic Wealth, which together manage $569 million in assets, as well as the firm’s entry into Utah with the purchase of RCM Investments. In February, Merit acquired Pennsylvania-based Hershey Wealth Advisors, LLC, with $233 million in client assets, marking its fifth office in the Keystone state.  

The Second Half transaction — finalized August 6, 2025 — marks Merit’s 40th acquisition in four-and-a-half years. Financial and legal terms were not disclosed.