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Comparison

Cherry Tree Companies vs Saulsbury Hill Financial

Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 16, 2025

AttributeCherry Tree CompaniesSaulsbury Hill Financial
TypeBoutiqueBoutique
HQMinneapolis, MNDallas, TX
Founded19801997
Sector focusGeneralistGeneralist, Energy
Deal size$10M-$100M$15M-$200M
Senior team
  • Tony Christianson
    Chairman
  • Brian Saulsbury
    Co-Founder
Rating Locked Locked
Reviews0 verified0 verified

Choosing between Cherry Tree Companies and Saulsbury Hill Financial

Cherry Tree Companies and Saulsbury Hill Financial both work in Generalist. Founders running a sell-side process in those categories often see both names on their advisor longlist, which is why this comparison comes up. Both firms position themselves as boutique advisors, so the choice is less about category and more about pattern recognition, senior attention, and process fit.

Cherry Tree Companies is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN and was founded in 1980, while Saulsbury Hill Financial operates out of Dallas, TX and was founded in 1997. Geography matters here: Cherry Tree Companies's Minneapolis relationships and Saulsbury Hill Financial's Dallas relationships will overlap on national strategics but diverge on the regional private equity buyer set most likely to push price. On deal-size focus, Cherry Tree Companies states $10M-$100M while Saulsbury Hill Financial states $15M-$200M. Beyond shared coverage, Cherry Tree Companies also reaches into adjacent categories, while Saulsbury Hill Financial extends into Energy.

For founders deciding between Cherry Tree Companies and Saulsbury Hill Financial, the honest recommendation is to take a working session with each named partner before signing. Read the firm-level reviews on BankerNotes for the pattern that matters most: did the partner who pitched the mandate run the buyer calls and final negotiations, or did the work slide down the org chart by week six. That pattern, more than league-table position, is what separates a good outcome from a mediocre one.

Firm A profile
Cherry Tree Companies
Minneapolis, MN

Cherry Tree Companies is a boutique headquartered in Minneapolis, MN and founded in 1980. The firm focuses on Generalist and typically advises on transactions in the $10M-$100M range. Key dealmakers include Tony Christia...

Read the Cherry Tree Companies profile and reviews
Firm B profile
Saulsbury Hill Financial
Dallas, TX

Saulsbury Hill Financial is a boutique headquartered in Dallas, TX and founded in 1997. The firm focuses on Generalist, Energy and typically advises on transactions in the $15M-$200M range. Key dealmakers include Brian S...

Read the Saulsbury Hill Financial profile and reviews

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Cherry Tree Companies and Saulsbury Hill Financial?
Cherry Tree Companies is a boutique HQ'd in Minneapolis, MN (founded 1980), focused on Generalist, with a typical deal range of $10M-$100M. Saulsbury Hill Financial is a boutique HQ'd in Dallas, TX (founded 1997), focused on Generalist, Energy, with a typical deal range of $15M-$200M. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
Which firm has better founder reviews, Cherry Tree Companies or Saulsbury Hill Financial?
Cherry Tree Companies's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Saulsbury Hill Financial's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Read the individual firm profiles for the full review breakdown.
Should I shortlist both Cherry Tree Companies and Saulsbury Hill Financial?
For most founders evaluating sell-side advisors with overlapping sector and deal-size fit, putting both on a shortlist is reasonable. The point of a bake-off is to test how the senior team behaves under pressure, how the firm shapes the buyer universe, and how it handles a difficult diligence question. Treat the shortlist as an interview, not a beauty contest.
How does BankerNotes verify reviews of Cherry Tree Companies and Saulsbury Hill Financial?
Every review is submitted by a founder who confirms they hired the firm as their sell-side advisor. We verify the reviewer privately using work email, LinkedIn, and approximate engagement timing. The verified identity is never published. Only the rating, written review, and a generic sector label appear on the public page.

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Last updated: April 16, 2025