“We don’t believe in market timing. We do believe in being risk averse by diversifying portfolios globally, among different asset classes and sectors. We’ve found this helps maximize long-term returns through both weak and strong market environments.”

Palmer “grew up” in the world of wealth management. His father, Wythe, spent 45 years as an investment professional – nearly his entire career at Merrill. Palmer is proud to continue his family’s legacy at The Whiting Group, where generations of families are clients today.

Since joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1996, Palmer has taken a holistic, real-world approach to managing custom portfolios for client families. He utilizes risk-averse strategies that emphasize capital return and dividend yield as important components of long-term portfolio performance. These strategies are guided by initial client consultations (to establish portfolio policies) and by regular reviews (during which adjustments are made, based on clients’ evolving needs and changes in the financial markets).

In 2012 and 2013, Palmer was recognized by Barron’s as one of “America’s Top 1,000 Advisors: State by State" (Published annually in February. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year). In 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021 he was recognized by Barron’s as one of “America’s Top 1,200 Advisors: State by State"( Published annually in February-March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year).  In 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 he was named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list(Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year).

Palmer is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Palmer is also a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certificant, awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute).

Palmer received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Alabama, where he graduated with honors. His favorite “away from the office” moments include time spent with his wife, Casey and their three children, as well as hunting, fishing and exercising. Palmer is dedicated to serving and improving the communities of Mobile and coastal Alabama – serving in leadership positions in his church and local charities.

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State” list, published annually in February. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.

Advisors considered for the “America’s Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State” ranking have a minimum of seven years of financial services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the Advisor rankings include: client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, and community involvement, among others. Barron’s does not receive compensation from Advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. The ranking or ratings shown here may not be representative of all client experiences because they reflect an average or sampling of the client experiences. These rankings or ratings are not indicative of any future performance or investment outcome.

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State” list, published annually in February-March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.

The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and who have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. This is a list of the top advisors in each state, with the number of ranking spots determined by each state’s population and wealth. Other quantitative and qualitative measures include assets under management, revenues generated by advisors for their firms, and the quality of the advisors’ practices, regulatory records, internal company documents, and 100-plus points of data provided by the advisors themselves. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.


*Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to measure best practices; also considered are: client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.


 

 

“Many clients have scattered investments over time, but no strategy for optimizing them. In addition to creating organized structures for helping to manage those assets, we help clients understand their role in staying on course – by budgeting, saving or both.”

Austin launched his Merrill Lynch Wealth Management career in 2009 and has worked with Palmer since 2012. Austin focuses his skills and knowledge on bolstering the strength and stability of client wealth. By putting a premium on the value of staying current with their evolving circumstances, Austin enjoys developing collaborative strategies with them – for investments, retirement, education funding, and wealth transfer. Prior to joining Merrill, Austin worked for a leading regional bank.

Austin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant, awarded by the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards, Inc.

Austin graduated from Auburn University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in Mobile with their children. Austin is an active member of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church and enjoys family time, running and reading.

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

Ann works to make sure that each of her clients are on a path to achieving their individual and family financial goals. Ann focuses on retirement planning and has defined a process by which she works with each client. She insists on understanding the specific situations of the people she works with; thereby being able to establish objectives, develop an appropriate strategy, and review the progress made towards reaching those goals and objectives. Ann graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor of science degree in finance and has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years. Ann is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant, a designation awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP® Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

 
Ann is very active in the Mobile area community and with several local charities. She is currently on the board for United Cerebral Palsy in Mobile. In her spare time, Ann enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her friends and family.

• In her previous role as a Financial Advisor, Ann was named to the 2018 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. Published on February 15, 2018. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2017.

*Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published on February 15, 2018. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2017.
Forbes’ “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. The ranking or ratings shown here may not be representative of all client experiences because they reflect an average or sampling of the client experiences. These rankings or ratings are not indicative of any future performance or investment outcome.