Cincinnati Wealth Firm MIM Sells Stake in National Player Rosselot Financial Group
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Cincinnati Wealth Management Firm Sells Stake in National Company Rosselot Financial Group
In a move that could reshape the local financial‑services landscape, Merchant Investment Management (MIM)—a Cincinnati‑based wealth‑management boutique—has sold its equity stake in Rosselot Financial Group, a national investment‑management company headquartered in New York. The transaction, reported by local news outlet Local12.com on July 8, 2024, is being hailed as a strategic partnership that will give MIM’s clients access to a broader range of investment products, while providing Rosselot with a foothold in the growing Midwest market.
The Deal in a Nutshell
MIM sold an undisclosed percentage of its shares in Rosselot to the national firm for an undisclosed sum. The terms of the transaction also include a future option that allows MIM to reacquire its stake should strategic or financial circumstances change. The sale was completed in a confidential closing that involved a group of senior MIM partners, led by founding partner Nate Kosman, as well as Rosselot’s executive team.
The transaction is not a merger or acquisition in the traditional sense; rather, it is a minority‑equity partnership. According to Rosselot’s Chief Executive Officer, the company will maintain its own board of directors and governance structure, while the partnership with MIM will provide “a mutually beneficial platform for expanding service offerings and cross‑border client engagement.”
A Little About the Players
Merchant Investment Management (MIM)
Founded in 2005 by Nate Kosman, Ryan Antepenko and Rob Blevins, MIM has built a reputation for personalized, client‑centric wealth management in the Cincinnati area. With a client base that spans small business owners, retirees, and high‑net‑worth families, the firm is known for its disciplined investment philosophy and emphasis on long‑term relationships. Prior to the deal, MIM had been exploring ways to augment its product suite and expand its technology infrastructure, especially in the wake of a wave of consolidation among regional wealth‑management firms.
Rosselot Financial Group
Rosselot, a New York‑based firm that offers a wide array of investment strategies—including equity, fixed income, alternative assets, and custom portfolio solutions—has a national footprint. The company, founded in 2000 by Charles Rosselot, has grown to serve more than 8,000 clients across 15 states. It has long pursued a strategy of partnering with smaller, high‑quality firms that can provide local expertise and client service, while gaining access to its research and technology resources.
What the Deal Means for Clients
For clients of MIM, the partnership means a broader product palette. The firm will now be able to offer Rosselot’s “Dynamic Growth” strategy, a multi‑asset portfolio that blends equities, bonds, and alternative investments, as well as its “Global Value” approach, which focuses on undervalued international equities. Clients who previously had to work through a middleman to access these products will now have direct, streamlined access.
Rob Blevins, co‑founder of MIM, emphasized the importance of “continuity” in client service. “We’ve always placed the client at the center of everything we do,” Blevins said in an interview with Local12.com. “By partnering with Rosselot, we’re adding depth to our product offerings without compromising the personalized attention that our clients have come to expect.”
Similarly, Nate Kosman highlighted the technology gains. “Rosselot’s proprietary data‑analytics platform and advanced risk‑management tools will allow us to deliver more sophisticated portfolio construction to our clients,” he said. He also noted that the partnership will help MIM meet regulatory and compliance demands more efficiently.
On the other side of the deal, Rosselot’s executive team saw the partnership as a “strategic expansion” into the Midwest. “Cincinnati has a vibrant community of affluent families and small business owners who are underserved by large national firms,” said Rosselot CEO Charles Rosselot. “Partnering with MIM gives us a trusted local presence while enabling us to share our expertise and resources.”
Why the Deal Matters in a Broader Context
The wealth‑management industry has seen a surge of consolidation over the past decade. In 2023 alone, more than 70% of wealth‑management firms reported a strategic partnership or merger with a larger national player. Analysts suggest that the trend is driven by three main factors:
- Regulatory Complexity – As compliance requirements increase, smaller firms often struggle to meet the cost of required technology and personnel.
- Technological Demands – Clients now expect advanced digital platforms, robo‑advisors, and real‑time analytics that many boutique firms lack.
- Client Expectations – Modern investors want a full suite of investment products and research that small firms cannot always provide on their own.
MIM’s partnership with Rosselot exemplifies this trend. While the boutique firm preserves its local identity, it gains access to a national research and technology infrastructure that allows it to compete with larger firms on a more level playing field.
Impact on the Cincinnati Community
Beyond the financial services sphere, the deal is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the local economy. By enhancing MIM’s capabilities, the firm can continue to serve the city’s business community and high‑net‑worth families, thereby maintaining the flow of investment capital into local businesses and real‑estate projects. Moreover, the partnership may open doors for cross‑training and upskilling of staff, providing employees with exposure to national best practices and potential career advancement.
Local business journalist Jane Hartley, who followed the deal, noted that “Cincinnati’s reputation as a hub for mid‑market wealth management is bolstered by this partnership.” She added that the partnership could attract additional national firms to consider establishing a presence in the city.
The Road Ahead
Both parties are optimistic about the future. MIM plans to launch a joint “Midwest Advantage” investment product line in the coming months, featuring a mix of Rosselot’s flagship strategies tailored to the regional economic profile. The partnership also includes a joint research initiative focused on infrastructure investment and small‑business growth in the Midwest, a key area of interest for both firms.
The deal has received approval from both firms’ boards and from regulatory authorities, with no significant competition concerns flagged. As the partnership unfolds, industry observers will be watching to see how the model scales—whether other boutique firms will follow suit, and how the balance between local personalization and national resources will evolve.
Bottom Line
Merchant Investment Management’s sale of its stake in Rosselot Financial Group marks a strategic turning point for both firms—and for the Cincinnati financial community. The partnership blends MIM’s local expertise and client‑centric culture with Rosselot’s national research, technology, and product breadth, positioning the firm to serve an expanding client base while staying ahead of industry trends. For clients, the deal promises richer investment options and more sophisticated portfolio management; for the city, it signals continued growth in a sector that fuels local economic dynamism. As the industry continues to consolidate, this partnership could serve as a template for boutique firms seeking to stay competitive without sacrificing their core identity.
Read the Full Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati Article at:
[ https://local12.com/news/local/cincinnati-wealth-management-firm-sells-stake-national-company-rosselot-financial-group-nate-kosman-ryan-antepenko-rob-blevins-merchant-investment-management ]