(Image credit: Getty Images) In the past few years, something has shifted in how RIA firms talk about the future. Selling your RIA to private equity used to be a finishing move, a reward at the end of a long and (hopefully) successful run. Today, private equity comes calling earlier and faster than some firms anticipate. For many founders, the call is getting harder to ignore. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. The numbers tell a clear story. In 2025, RIA mergers and acquisitions hit a record 466 announced deals . That's a 27% jump over the year before, and 72% of those deals were powered by private equity.…