John Thiel, the previous leader of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, has revealed the establishment of Indivisible Partners, a fresh independent advisory firm. Thiel shared the news in a LinkedIn update, conveying his pride and enthusiasm for the initiative. “It is with great pride and excitement that I, alongside my co-founders, announce the creation of Indivisible Partners, a privately-owned independent advisory firm,” stated Thiel.
Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, this registered investment advisor (RIA) is recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission yet has reported no assets under management as of October 1, 2024. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Forabya LLC, a private firm where Thiel holds the position of director. Indivisible Partners provides a variety of services, including portfolio management for individuals and businesses, financial planning, pension and profit-sharing plans, as well as advisory selection.
The firm has teamed up with Fidelity for its custody solutions.
Thiel launches Indivisible Partners
Thiel will take on the roles of founder and executive chairman of the new establishment, collaborating with co-founders who possess substantial expertise in wealth management and advisory services.
The team features former leaders from Merrill Lynch, American Century, and Fidelity. Thiel’s 27 years at Merrill Lynch included a five-year period as the head of its Wealth Management sector from 2011 to 2016. After that, he served a year as the vice chairman of global wealth management and investment management at Bank of America.
The creation of Indivisible Partners is in line with a trend where ex-Merrill Lynch executives are creating their own support structures for RIA firms, similar to Sanctuary Wealth and NewEdge Advisors. “Throughout our careers, we have listened to advisors and consistently heard a common theme: a strong demand for an alternative model,” Thiel mentioned in his announcement. The inception of Indivisible Partners illustrates a rising trend within the financial services sector, where seasoned leaders are launching independent advisory firms to provide more tailored and client-centered services.
Thiel’s exit from Merrill Lynch after years of leadership underscores his dedication to addressing the changing requirements of advisors and their clients in a competitive landscape.
