With merger, wealth management firm nears $900M in assets

PUNTA GORDA — Flaharty Asset Management, based in Clearwater, has merged with AWA Investment Advisors — creating a wealth management firm with nearly $900 million in assets under management. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Punta Gorda-based AWA Investment Advisors, with about $250 million in assets under management and six employees, will be merged into Flaharty Asset Management, with an investment portfolio of about $580 Million and 13 employees. Combined, the two firms will move forward under the Flaharty Asset Management brand, according to a statement.

“With this merger, we have significantly expanded our team of specialists and will continue to serve those who have led to our company’s success,” says Shon Flaharty, founder, CEO and managing partner of Flaharty Asset Management, in the statement. “It allows us to continue to grow, while upholding our strict fiduciary responsibilities to our clients.”

Both offices will continue to serve clients in their existing respective locations, as well clients across the country. Flaharty Asset Management’s Punta Gorda office will focus primarily on serving clients throughout the Naples, Fort Myers, Marco Island, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda area, while the Clearwater office will serve as the firm’s headquarters and continue to provide support primarily to customers in the greater Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater area, as well as the rest of Florida.

Flaharty Asset Management, founded in 2007, is a full-service institutional investment management and advisory firm specializing in all areas of financial planning, investment advice and private wealth management.