Women’s superpower: Investing

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Women’s superpower: Investing

Watch our experts share ways to tap into your ability to build a more secure financial future.

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Merrill Lynch

The Chipps Group

Wealth Management Group

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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management

The Chipps Group believes that good relationships are built through teamwork and involvement, delivered through our advisors, wealth management client associates and access to the global investment capabilities of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America. We want to be your primary source for financial advice and guidance. And we want you to value the dedication and diligence offered to you at each step of the financial planning process.
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Our Mission

The Chipps Group was founded with the goal of delivering the vast resources of one of the world’s largest wealth management firms with all the intimacy and personal service of a small boutique. Many clients are wealthy individuals and their families, usually having between $2-50 million in investable assets, who were referred to us by other clients or by professionals outside of our industry. We also represent corporate clients and not for profit organizations. Clients come to us for professional advice and guidance due to major changes in their personal or family’s financial situation. Their needs have become more sophisticated and complex and they believe they could benefit from having a financial resource in the process. We work closely with their outside professionals to help ensure that their tax and estate planning activities are aligned with their personal and financial goals.

The Chipps Group is privileged to often work with the 2nd and 3rd generation of a client's family. Sensitivity to client needs and conscientious attention to detail are the hallmarks of our group and we have received numerous awards for service excellence and financial advice. Our goal is to educate clients, simplify their lives and help them gain a better understanding of their financial situation. Our strength is in anticipating issues and providing strategies for risk or uncertainty in client’s financial lives. Our job is to worry for clients so they don’t have to.

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Our Philosophy

The Chipps Group is committed to providing a first-class financial services package to a limited number of high net worth individuals, families and small businesses.  For one inclusive asset-based fee, we offer individualized wealth management planning, estate planning services, portfolio management and cash management services.  We develop long-term relationships with our clients, in some instances working with two and three generations of the same family.  Our growth comes from referrals from satisfied clients, their accountants and attorneys.

We are extremely selective in accepting clients into our practice.  It is very important for us that our clients enjoy working with us, have reasonable long-term goals, and share our philosophies on wealth management and investing.  We extend our extensive knowledge only to those who can benefit from establishing an exclusive, long term and loyal association with us at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

Some highlights of our approach are as follows:

  • Wealth Management Planning based approach to client’s needs.  Clients start with the strategic focus of a long-term plan.
  • Consolidation of all assets for simple and efficient tracking and management.
  • State of the art cash management system offering interest bearing checking account, Visa Rewards program, and Merrill Online access to review accounts.
  • An investment philosophy founded on the principles of asset allocation, diversification and tax minimization.  
  • Annual reviews with all clients to track the progress toward their long-term goals and to adjust for changes brought on by personal needs or market conditions.
  • A team based approach: a team of professionals creating strategies through access to Merrill's specialists in the areas of wealth management and estate planning services, trusts, mortgage and credit, insurance, retirement plans and business financial services in cooperation with clients’ accountants and attorneys.
  • Areas of Focus: liability management and concentrated (restricted) stock positions. (performance based compensation for business and personal financing)
  • The resources and stability of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
*Banking and Lending Services are through Bank of America, N.A.

*Merrill Life Agency's California License Number 0522776

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Our clients: High-Net-Worth Families and Business Owners

We offer clients a breadth of potential solutions, premier customer service and financial tools based on their unique circumstances.

We draw on our industry knowledge and experience to offer:

  • Trust and estate planning services
  • Wealth management strategies
  • Work closely with clients' CPAs, attorneys and other professionals to deliver consistent and comprehensive advice and guidance
  • Risk Management Strategies
No matter what your goals may be, we begin by helping you define and prioritize your financial goals based on the following seven areas:
  • Health: Managing healthcare expenses, now and in the future
  • Home: Upsizing, downsizing, remodeling or buying a vacation home
  • Family: Taking care of your family and other people in your life
  • Leisure: Spending your free time in meaningful ways
  • Giving: Volunteering, mentoring and giving to charities
  • Work: Working in retirement, selling or starting a business
  • Finance: Bringing it all together; defining your financial goals
This material should be regarded as general or educational information on healthcare or Social Security considerations and is not intended to provide specific healthcare or social security advice. If you have questions regarding your particular situation, please contact your legal or tax advisor.

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Our Services

Our process is designed to help deliver a customized, consistent experience to assist clients not only in wealth accumulation and preservation, but in areas that go beyond investments. Our ability to provide access to the investment insights of Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank, and the banking convenience and lending solutions of Bank of America offers a way to help clients manage all of the pieces of their financial lives. We view ourselves as a financial resource, helping clients with potential solutions for transferring wealth to the younger generation. Using the broad investing resources of Merrill, we can also assist with potential solutions for income management, education funding, retirement income planning, and guidance for executives with concentrated stock positions, traditional investments, wealth transfer and estate planning services. And with your permission we can also work closely with your other professionals, such as attorneys, accountants and specialists, to help you pursue your goals.

In 1914, Charles Merrill said, “The interests of our customers must come first.” That’s a commitment that we still honor today. We feel Charles Merrill would be gratified to see how the business he founded continues to place a premium on service and commitment. We can offer services that can help you address virtually every financial challenge you face.



*Trust, fiduciary, and investment management services, including assets managed by the Specialty Asset Management Team, are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”), and its agents. Bank of America Private Bank is a division of Bank of America, N.A.

Recognition

Merrill is proud of our advisors who’ve received recognition from financial industry publications or directly from Bank of America Corporation. We believe they are setting the standard for exemplary client service.

Judith Chipps

Forbes "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors" 2017-2021
Published annually Feb- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 - September 30 of prior year.

Forbes "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in State" 2022
Published on February 4, 2022. Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2021.

Forbes "Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” 2023
Published on February 2, 2023. Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2022.*

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2023
Published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.*

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2018-2023
Published annually Jan- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Jessie Chipps

Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" 2023
Published on August 8, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2023
Published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.*

Meet the Team

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, our team is comprised of talented and experienced individuals committed to building strong client relationships based on trust and personalized service.

Additional Resources

The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.

Ricardo Perez

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

Fred R Schector

Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #451116

Staying on Track

We understand that both your life and the financial markets can change over time. By checking in to discuss changes in your life and revisiting your financial approach, our goal is to help you stay on track to achieve what's most important to you.



Reviews to help you
stay on track

We’ll meet with you to review your goals and the progress you’ve made toward reaching them. We’ll also discuss any adjustments needed to your financial approach to help you stay on course.



    Changes in your life
    and to your goals

    Your life and goals change. As these changes occur, we can update your approach to reflect them.

    #DigitalMerrill

    MyMerrill is your online destination for access to your financial information, secure communications, and a robust offering of tools and capabilities.

    Your advisor is a click away within our site or mobile apps

    You can manage account security with our customizable security capabilities such as touch ID, one time passcode, and other security features

    Access to your complete financial life is available with My Financial Picture, Merrill’s asset aggregation tool

      Let’s Have a Conversation

      Helping you reach your goals starts with getting to know you personally. Through understanding what matters most to you, together we can help you create a financial approach that reflects your personality. Only then can we offer an approach that is built around your life priorities and the advice you need to help you address fluctuations in the market and changes in your life. Let’s work together to help you achieve your goals.

      Why Merrill?

      As Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors, we will sort through the financial complexities of your life, helping you build a customized investment approach to address your needs and pursue your goals.


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      We put you first, every day.
      Learn more about the dedicated one-on-one relationship you can have with a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor.

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      Transcript of Video 

      No question too big or moment too small
      For every question you have, every decision you make and every answer you need, we are with you to listen and help guide you along the many paths your life can take. Watch this video to see some questions we can address together.


      The Power of the Right Advisor®
      Working with a dedicated Merrill advisor means you get personalized investment strategies from Merrill plus access to comprehensive financial solutions only Bank of America can deliver.

      Personalized advice from a dedicated financial advisor.

      We get to know you and your family, your financial situation and what matters most to you.

      A comprehensive approach, built around your life’s priorities.

      Drawing from our experience and the best thinking of Merrill, together we will design an approach that reflects your unique needs, priorities and financial situation.

      Adjusting your investment approach as your life and the markets change.

      We will work to help you stay on track, regardless of what the markets are doing.