Everpath Partners and Cogent Bank have entered a strategic agreement that includes a minority growth equity investment by Cogent in the Tampa-based advisory firm.
The partnership reflects a growing push to align banking and advisory services as middle-market companies face more complex capital and growth decisions.
The firms said the partnership is intended to expand how both organizations serve middle-market and emerging growth companies across the United States.
It brings together Cogent’s commercial banking platform with Everpath’s mergers and acquisitions advisory and private capital capabilities under a single, coordinated approach.
A minority investment with strategic intent
As part of the agreement, Cogent made a minority growth equity investment in Everpath Partners.
Rather than a full acquisition, the structure allows both firms to remain independent while working together on select client needs.
The firms said they plan to collaborate on select client opportunities where banking, capital markets and advisory services intersect.
“This strategic partnership with Everpath Partners underscores Cogent’s long-standing focus on innovation and disciplined growth as we continue to expand the ways we support our clients,” said Chirag Bhavsar, president and CEO of Cogent Bank. “By complementing our commercial lending and treasury management capabilities with Everpath’s middle-market advisory expertise, we are further strengthening Cogent’s ability to deliver thoughtful, integrated financial solutions as our clients navigate growth, capital formation, and strategic transactions.”
Expanding advisory support for middle-market companies
Everpath Partners provides mergers and acquisitions advisory, private capital-raising and strategic advisory services to middle-market and emerging-growth companies.
Those services are often sought by founders and management teams navigating ownership transitions, acquisitions and long-term capital strategy.
The firm is headquartered in Tampa.
“Our relationship with Cogent Bank allows us to better support business owners and management teams through every stage of their company lifecycle,” said Russ Hunt, founder, managing partner, and CEO of Everpath Partners. “We share a client-first philosophy and a belief that combining banking and advisory expertise can deliver more strategic, efficient, and informed outcomes for our clients.”
Cogent Bank’s Florida footprint
Cogent Bank is a state-chartered bank that has operated as a full-service business and personal bank since 2018.
The bank reported total assets of more than $2.3 billion and operates multiple banking centers across North, Central and Southwest Florida.
The firms said the collaboration is designed to broaden access to financial services without changing how clients currently engage with either organization.
The firms said the collaboration is expected to support growth opportunities while expanding access to a broader range of financial products and services across key industries and markets.