Cetera Partners with Cornerstone to Enhance Business Sale Strategies for Advisors and Clients

Cetera Partners with Cornerstone to Enhance Business Sale Strategies for Advisors

Cetera Financial Group announces a strategic partnership with Cornerstone Business Services to bolster its investment banking capabilities for financial advisors catering to clients who own private businesses. This collaboration, revealed on September 23, 2025, is part of Cetera's broader initiative to deepen relationships with business-owner clients. The partnership aims to facilitate proactive discussions about the sale process, helping clients maximize their after-tax proceeds when contemplating the sale of their businesses. By integrating Cornerstone's structured sale processes into its offerings, Cetera enhances its suite of High-Net-Worth Solutions, making it easier for advisors to assist clients through complex transitions.

The partnership emphasizes the importance of a well-organized sales strategy, as articulated by Scott Baker, Cetera’s Head of High-Net-Worth Solutions. He highlights that effective tax and estate planning can significantly impact the financial outcomes of business sales, leading to higher sales prices and greater after-tax gains. Advisors will have access to this structured approach, which often results in multiple offers for business owners, thereby empowering them to make informed decisions about their sales. This proactive approach underscores Cetera’s commitment to ensuring that their clients are not only prepared for the sale but also positioned to achieve optimal financial outcomes.

Furthermore, the collaboration allows clients to work closely with both Cetera's Advanced Planning Team and Cornerstone to develop tailored exit strategies. Whether clients are looking to sell in the near term or have a longer-term vision for their business's valuation, this partnership equips financial advisors with comprehensive resources and expertise. Baker asserts that this proactive engagement is critical for maximizing business transitions, ultimately benefiting both the advisors and their high-net-worth clients as they navigate this pivotal financial juncture.

In addition to this partnership, Cetera continues to enhance its High-Net-Worth Solutions, ensuring that financial advisors have a robust toolkit to support their clients. Access to services such as Cetera Trust Company further solidifies Cetera's commitment to comprehensive client care. The partnership with Cornerstone not only strengthens Cetera's service offerings but also positions it as a leader in supporting business owners through one of their most significant financial decisions.

As the landscape for business ownership and transitions becomes increasingly complex, Cetera’s strategic moves help ensure that financial advisors can provide the necessary guidance and support to their clients, solidifying their roles as trusted advisors in the realm of private business sales.