Lenders serving financial advisors report a surge in demand as registered investment advisers (RIAs) and independent broker-dealers seek loans to fund acquisitions and internal equity transactions tied to succession planning. According to Wealth Management, industry participants describe 2025 as one of the most active years on record for advisor lending.
Direct lenders such as Live Oak Bank, Oak Street Funding, PPC Loans, and M&A financing advisor SkyView Partners point to sustained momentum across the sector.
Wealth Management reports that Live Oak has directed most of its advisor loan originations toward acquisition financing, while also supporting internal succession transactions. Advisors also use debt to support recruiting, breakaway moves, and commercial real estate purchases. PPC Loans has observed similar trends.
As lending activity increases, private equity has moved further down market in the RIA space, creating competition for larger transactions. Lenders note, however, that private equity interest has also boosted firm valuations, increasing demand for financing across both acquisitions and internal buyouts, according to Wealth Management.
Oak Street Funding explained that specialty lenders occupy a middle ground between Small Business Administration loans and private equity financing, which typically targets transactions of $20 million or more. According to Wealth Management, the firms frequently fill the financing gap between $5 million and $20 million.
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