# Hank McLarty

> Hank McLarty is an Atlanta-born wealth management executive, former Auburn linebacker, and founder of Gratus Capital. After careers at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, he launched Gratus in 2005 around a team-based model for entrepreneurs and families. The firm later joined Focus Financial Partners, combined into the organization now known as Focus Partners Wealth, and McLarty currently serves as Vice Chair at Focus.

- **Role:** Vice Chair at Focus
- **Organizations:** Focus, Focus Partners Wealth, Gratus Capital, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Make-A-Wish Georgia, Auburn University
- **From:** Atlanta, United States
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree in finance, Auburn University
- **Known for:** Founded Gratus Capital in 2005., Built a multidisciplinary advisory firm serving entrepreneurs, families, foundations, and endowments., Appeared on Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors lists from 2016 through 2024, according to his published professional biography.

## Career timeline

- **1987-1992** — Attended Auburn University on a football scholarship, played linebacker, and earned a bachelor's degree in finance.
- **1992** — Began his financial-services career at Merrill Lynch after graduating from Auburn.
- **1990s-2000s** — Worked as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch and later Morgan Stanley during an approximately 15-year career at large firms.
- **2005** — Founded Gratus Capital in Atlanta around a coordinated, team-based wealth management model.
- **2014** — Gratus Capital joined Focus Financial Partners as a partner firm.
- **2016-2018** — Led Gratus through two mergers, including the 2018 combination with Atlanta-based JPH Advisory Group.
- **2019** — Forbes reported that Gratus managed nearly $2 billion for more than 600 clients.
- **2024** — Focus announced that Gratus would join The Colony Group in a transaction involving approximately $3.8 billion in regulatory assets under management as of May 31, 2024.
- **2025** — The combined wealth business adopted the Focus Partners Wealth name; McLarty's current Focus profile lists him as Vice Chair.

## Achievements

- Founded Gratus Capital in 2005.
- Built a multidisciplinary advisory firm serving entrepreneurs, families, foundations, and endowments.
- Appeared on Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors lists from 2016 through 2024, according to his published professional biography.
- Appeared on Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors lists from 2019 through 2023, according to his published professional biography.
- Helped lead Gratus through multiple mergers and its combination into the platform now known as Focus Partners Wealth.
- Served Make-A-Wish Georgia in leadership roles including chair and vice chair, according to his 2022 interview.

## Latest updates

- **2024-07** — Focus announced that Gratus Capital would join The Colony Group, with Gratus expected to contribute approximately $3.8 billion in regulatory assets under management measured as of May 31, 2024.
- **2025-01** — Focus launched the Focus Partners brand architecture, and the combined wealth-management hub began operating as Focus Partners Wealth.
- **2026-08** — McLarty's current public Focus profile lists him as Vice Chair in Atlanta.

## Links

- Website: https://gratuscapital.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hankmclarty
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GratusCapital
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHAEIC48higTMHOemQU2FQ/videos
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hankatlanta/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GratusCapital/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/hank-mclarty
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-27