Independent certified public accounting firm, Weaver, has announced its merger with Bank Advisory Resources, a niche firm that provides consulting services to directors and executive management of community banks. The merger became effective June 7.

“With Bank Advisory Resources joining Weaver, this allows the firm to add strong industry knowledge and be better positioned in our Advisory practice to provide independent loan reviews, bank regulatory audits, information technology reviews and risk assessments to meet the growing compliance demand within the financial institutions industry sector,” said Alyssa Martin, partner in charge of Weaver’s Advisory Services practice.

“The Bank Advisory Resources team brings nationally-recognized bank regulatory resources to the firm and adds a wealth of experience to compliment Weaver’s existing financial institutions practice,” said Bruce Zaret, CPA and partner in charge of Weaver’s Financial Institutions practice. “With banking laws and other regulations changing rapidly, the expanded financial institutions team will add to our efforts in helping clients navigate through the regulatory landscape.”

Scott Opdahl, president of Bank Advisory Resources, will be a director in Weaver’s Financial Institutions Compliance Group, and his team will reside in Weaver’s Houston, Texas office. “Our clients will greatly benefit from the additional depth and resource base that Weaver provides,” he said. “We are better positioned to serve a growing number of banks within this specialized market and continue to build upon the close, enduring relationships we have with our current clients.”