Scale Without Sacrifice: Verdence’s Peter McGratty on RIA Plus

A Platform Built From the Inside Out

Verdence Capital Advisors became an independent RIA in 2017. Since then, the firm grew to approximately $5 billion in assets through organic growth alone, with no mergers or acquisitions. To support that growth, Verdence built its own investment platform, financial planning capabilities, operations infrastructure, and family office services. As a result, Verdence/RIA+ launched 18 months ago to make those same resources available to independent advisory firms across the country.

Three Advisor Segments, One Platform

Peter McGratty leads Verdence/RIA+ and identifies three distinct groups the platform serves. First, younger advisors need continuity plans that protect clients in the event of unexpected death or disability. Second, advisors approaching retirement need structured succession solutions. This group represents roughly half the industry. Third, the Competitive Edge program targets advisors who have strong client relationships but lack the scale for comprehensive investment and planning solutions. For all three groups, Verdence/RIA+ provides outsourced investment menus covering both public and private markets. In addition, planning, operations, and compliance support are rolling out through the year.

Private Markets Access for Independent Firms

A standalone private investments platform serves RIA firms managing between $100 million and $20 billion in assets. Client interest in private markets is growing. However, many independent advisors lack either the knowledge base or the internal team to evaluate and implement private investment strategies. To address that gap, Verdence assembled a team with over 25 years of private investment experience and built proprietary technology to handle subscriptions, distributions, and operational tasks.

Two types of firms are adopting the platform. Smaller firms want a turnkey private markets solution from a partner who operates as an independent RIA. Larger firms, by contrast, already have due diligence capabilities and adopt the platform primarily for operational efficiency, particularly for structures like master-feeder funds.

The Values Factor in a Consolidating Market

As more RIA firms face acquisition conversations, McGratty observes that values alignment is becoming a meaningful factor in partner selection. Consequently, firms built around client service and fiduciary commitment are looking beyond transaction price when evaluating potential partners. They are choosing buyers and collaborators who share their priorities rather than simply accepting the largest offer.

Verdence positions its RIA origins as a relevant distinction here. The platform served Verdence’s own advisors first. Because of that, McGratty argues, the firm understands what independent advisors actually need in a way that platforms built by asset managers or technology providers may not.

Competing Without Consolidating

Traditional wealth managers can stay competitive without consolidating. Verdence/RIA+ is built around that premise. Through outsourcing rather than acquisition, independent firms can access the scale, resources, and investment breadth they need to compete. Moreover, they can do so while preserving the independence and client focus that brought them to the RIA channel in the first place.