Lyle J. Smith adheres to a disciplined wealth management strategy for Merrill Clients, with an emphasis on fully understanding who they are and what matters most. He believes that his chief competitive advantage lies in the advice that he gives each client developed from his long hours of analysis using both Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and independent research.

Lyle has been employed with Merrill since 1983. Lyle is a qualified Portfolio Manager who, in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their objectives by building and managing his own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. When servicing clients through the firm’s Investment Advisory Program, a Portfolio Manager may manage his strategies on a discretionary basis. He also has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ certification*. Moreover, Lyle holds both a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Conservation Of Natural Resources from the University of California at Berkeley, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of California at Davis.  

Finally, Lyle was also the 1994 Republican Nominee for the United States Congress from the 16th Congressional District in San Jose, California.

Lyle enjoys spending time with his wife Yuko.

* The Certified Financial Planner Board Of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ and CFP^® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who complete CFP^® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

***Any information presented in connection with BofA Global Research is general in nature and is not intended to provide personal investment advice. The information does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person who may receive it. Investors should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”) and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. BofA Global Research does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision.

I follow the deep-seated Merrill tradition of participating in the communities we serve. This drives my interest in spending time volunteering with organizations in our community.