News

D.A. Davidson Announces Acquisition Agreement With Wells Nelson & Associates

February 11, 2019

Firm continues growth trajectory with addition to fixed income unit

D.A. Davidson & Co. today announced that it has agreed to acquire Wells Nelson & Associates, an Oklahoma-based public finance and wealth management firm. The deal strengthens D.A. Davidson’s fixed income presence in Oklahoma and Texas and unites two firms whose expertise and market leadership are aligned.

Under the agreement, the Wells Nelson group will continue to use its brand in order to leverage the firm’s strong name recognition in the region where it operates. The team will become a part of D.A. Davidson’s Fixed Income Capital Markets group, operating under the direction of Sam Doyle, President.

“Wells Nelson has a great reputation, deep expertise and solid relationships throughout the region and we look forward to adding their professionals to our team,” Doyle said. “Their work will complement D.A. Davidson’s broad expertise in fixed income and is well-aligned with our client-first focus.”

With the acquisition, it is expected that 15 Wells Nelson professionals will join D.A. Davidson, working from their existing three offices in Oklahoma and Texas. They join a team of approximately 160 Fixed Income Capital Markets employees who work from offices across the United States.

“We very much look forward to joining with D.A. Davidson in a move that will ensure we continue adding new resources for our team,” said Randy Nelson, President of Wells Nelson. “Most importantly, this is the right move for our clients, given D.A. Davidson’s tradition of excellent client service and giving back to local communities.”

D.A. Davidson & Co.’s Fixed Income Capital Markets group is a national leader in raising capital through fixed income banking, distribution and depository strategy. D.A. Davidson was the No. 1 ranked underwriter of negotiated transactions in Oklahoma for 2018, according to Thomson Reuters. Consistently ranked among the top advisory firms in the country, with 26 locations in 18 states, the group serves clients including banks, credit unions, insurance companies, bond managers, money managers and trust companies.

About D.A. Davidson Companies

D.A. Davidson Companies is an employee-owned financial services firm offering a range of financial services and advice to individuals, corporations, institutions and municipalities nationwide. Founded in Montana in 1935, with regional headquarters in Great Falls, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle, the company has approximately 1,370 employees and offices in 26 states coast to coast.

Subsidiaries include: D.A. Davidson & Co., the largest full-service investment firm headquartered in the Northwest, providing wealth management, investment banking, equity and fixed income capital markets services and advice; Davidson Investment Advisors, a professional asset management firm; D.A. Davidson Trust Company, a trust and wealth management company; and Davidson Fixed Income Management, a registered investment adviser providing fixed income portfolio and advisory services.

For more information, visit dadavidson.com, Twitter: @DADavidsonCo, or LinkedIn: D.A. Davidson Companies.