FAQ

On December 2, 2021, Cornerstone Advisors acquired Next Step, Inc.

Cornerstone Advisors, a leading authority on driving revenue and profitability improvements for mid-size financial institutions and fintech firms, is a professional services firm headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, with more than 100 employees serving clients throughout the United States.

Next Step, Inc., has an established reputation for providing expert technology advisory services to banks and credit unions nationwide. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Next Step has 30 employees.

Next Step has a solid, market leading position delivering a portfolio of advisory services that are complementary to those offered by Cornerstone. Cornerstone saw an opportunity for a partnership that would enable both firms to collaboratively invest in new and enhanced advisory services and people and, ultimately, grow for the long-term.

Next Step leadership saw the opportunity for the partnership to help the firm grow beyond what it could achieve on its own, enhance Next Step’s reputation for superior client service within its market, and boost professional growth opportunities for employees.

The Cornerstone leadership team will be expanded to include Next Step’s senior leaders. Next Step founder Peter Jeye will provide support for a transition period of several months and remain accessible through 2022.

The acquisition will accelerate the strategic expansion of the combined firms, add depth to both organizations’ shared vision of helping banks and credit unions deliver competitive services to their customers, and enhance professional growth opportunities for all employees.

Both Cornerstone Advisors and Next Step have historically been motivated by a nationwide reputation for exceptional client service. Adding Next Step’s complementary experience in core banking systems, implementations, and contract negotiations to Cornerstone’s existing advisory service offerings enables the combined firm to deliver an even deeper level of expertise with the same high standards clients have come to expect.