A Guernsey-based private client services group has expanded into Bermuda through the acquisition of a local trust company, as part of a broader push to build a transatlantic wealth platform.

Opera Group Ltd said it has completed the acquisition of Meritus Trust Co Ltd, marking its first foothold on the island and its fifth deal overall under a five-year expansion strategy.

The company described the transaction as a key milestone in its growth plans, noting that the Meritus acquisition, alongside its purchase of Accuro, “marks Opera’s fourth and fifth acquisitions, respectively, and concludes the first wave of growth under its five-year transformation programme, Project Overture” .

Meritus, founded in 2010, provides fiduciary services to international families and corporations, with a focus on cross-border trust administration, estate planning and family governance. Opera said the addition strengthens its private client offering and broadens its geographic reach across the West Atlantic and the Americas.

Kim Sgarlata, group chief executive of Opera, said the deal was about long-term alignment.

“Completing the acquisitions of Accuro and Meritus marks a defining moment for Opera,” she said. “This isn’t about scale for its own sake, but building a stronger, more resilient foundation.”

Michelle Wolfe, managing director of Meritus, said the partnership would allow the Bermuda firm to continue serving clients while benefiting from a larger global platform.

“Becoming part of Opera allows us to continue serving our families with the same integrity and care, while benefiting from being part of a broader group,” she said.

Following completion, Opera will operate across eight jurisdictions, including Bermuda, with more than $80 billion in assets under administration and a global team of about 600 professionals.

The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals.