The national firm Mariner Wealth Advisors has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Sarasota's Allegiant Private Advisors. Allegiant will assume the Mariner Wealth Advisors name when the deal closes at the end of this month.

Allegiant serves nearly 500 clients, with nearly $1 billion in assets under management, and offers services that range from estate planning and risk management to educational and retirement planning.

Mariner, meanwhile, has more than 360 wealth advisers in 46 offices, and has completed 23 acquisitions since its inception. Allegiant will become the firm’s third office in Florida. Effective Sunday, Aug. 1, Benjamin Jones, Allegiant's current president and chief investment officer, will assume the title of managing director with Mariner, and will continue to lead the Sarasota office.