SEI Completes First Stage of Strategic Investment in Stratos Wealth Holdings

Key Takeaways:

• SEI purchased the U.S.-based Stratos business for about $441 million
• The deal represents roughly 81% of the total transaction value
• Stratos will retain its brand identity and leadership under CEO Jeff Concepcion
• SEI CEO Ryan Hicke highlights growth opportunities in advice, asset management, and administration
• SEI’s resources will bolster Stratos’ offerings for financial advisors

A New Chapter for SEI and Stratos

SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC) has completed the first stage of a strategic investment in Stratos Wealth Holdings, a family of companies that focuses on supporting independent financial advisors. The newly formed SEI-Eclipse Holding Company, LLC purchased the U.S.-based Stratos business for approximately $441 million, marking an important shift in SEI’s commitment to providing comprehensive services for advisors across different business models.

Leadership and Structure

Despite the majority stake purchase—around 81% of the total transaction value—Stratos will retain its own brand, identity, and leadership. Founder and CEO Jeff Concepcion continues to lead the company, ensuring a sense of consistency for its affiliated advisors. Stratos’ existing client-service model and custodial relationships remain intact, providing a seamless transition as the two organizations strengthen their partnership.

A Shared Vision for Growth

SEI CEO Ryan Hicke sees abundant possibilities in the wealth management sector. “There are three core growth opportunities in wealth management: advice, asset management, and administration,” he explains. He underscores that SEI has forged top-tier platforms in administration and asset management to deliver guidance effectively, and Stratos further enhances SEI’s capabilities on the advice side. “We believe in the value of advice,” Hicke continues, describing the new collaboration as a means to multiply the resources and knowledge available to all intermediaries in wealth management.

Supporting Advisor Independence

Concepcion similarly highlights how advisors will remain at the heart of Stratos’ operations. “Our success reflects our commitment to providing the flexibility, personalized service, robust solutions, and independence that advisors need,” he says. By integrating with SEI’s technology, custody, and operational resources, Stratos aims to amplify those core strengths, enabling advisors to scale their practices and better serve their clients.

Broader Capabilities, Greater Reach

Stratos will also benefit from SEI’s wide range of offerings, including alternative investments and OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) services. For advisors seeking more diverse product lines and advanced operational infrastructure, the partnership opens fresh pathways for innovation and growth.

This strategic alignment between SEI and Stratos marks a pivotal moment in the wealth management space, aimed at empowering financial advisors to flourish in an industry where personalized service and scalable solutions are increasingly vital. With Concepcion at the helm of Stratos and Hicke steering SEI’s evolution, both companies anticipate a future where advisors can leverage more comprehensive support without sacrificing the independence that defines their success.