By Kenneth Corbin

Mercer Global Advisors is expanding its presence in the South with the acquisition of two registered investment advisory firms that together manage nearly $900 million in assets.

In the larger of the two deals, Denver-based Mercer acquired Vishria Bird Financial Group, which oversees $583 million in assets. The firm, based in Memphis, expands Mercer's presence in Tennessee, where it already has operations in the Nashville area.

In the second deal, Mercer acquired D. Scott Neal, a Kentucky RIA with offices in Lexington and Louisville and more than $300 million in assets under management.

Both deals closed on Monday.

Vishria Bird and D. Scott Neal both serve almost entirely retail client bases consisting of nonhigh-net-worth and wealthy individuals, according to regulatory filings.

Vishria specializes in serving U.S. citizens with financial ties to India and has concentrated client groups in California and Florida, in addition to its home state of Tennessee.

The practice is led by Harish Vishria and Robert Bird, who both hold the Certified Financial Planner designation. In addition to the two principals, four other advisors and two support staffers are joining Mercer through the deal.

Vishira is a 36-year industry veteran. Bird broke into the wealth management sector 29 years ago.

Ben Kautz, Mercer's executive managing director, says the acquisition advances the firm's expansion in an important geographic market.

"We are excited to continue to build on our momentum in Tennessee, working with the talented team at Vishria Bird to serve their clients and support their next phase of growth," he says.

The Kentucky team of D. Scott Neal includes principals Scott Neal, Jerry Zimmer, and Richard Coles, along with four advisors and three support staff.

The firm's client base spans 17 states and includes entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and small-business owners.

The acquisition establishes Mercer's first office in Kentucky, "an attractive, untapped market," Kautz says. "[W]e look forward to expanding our reach while supporting the D. Scott Neal team."

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April 01, 2025 16:25 ET (20:25 GMT)

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