Tune out the noise: Wealth planning for the year ahead

Hear from a panel of experts as they explore how rising interest rates, high inflation and increased volatility are impacting the economy, how family dynamics are changing estate planning and hear some actionable strategies for investors to consider in 2023.

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Luciano & Associates

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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management


Helping successful clients pass along wealth and wisdom –
to benefit loved ones and the world around them.

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Welcome

At Luciano & Associates, we admire the people we serve – a growing circle of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in Silicon Valley and elsewhere that looks inwardly, beyond dollars to their values (which most often involve family and the greater good). 

For this elite clientele, we focus on “goals and holes” in their financial lives. By spending significant time with clients, we can help them identify and articulate their personal meanings of wealth. 

In addition to crafting retirement planning, liability management, tax minimization and estate planning strategies, we examine whether “protective components” are in place – life and disability insurance, and other measures that clients with demanding schedules may overlook.

Managing clients’ assets similarly to endowments, we lean toward private and public equity, as well as alternative investments. This, we believe, allows clients’ portfolios to achieve growth, while exposing them to less volatility and risk. While many investors are comfortable with traditional diversification among stocks and bonds, we favor the inclusion of non-correlated assets – to help meet clients’ real-life goals, not just industry benchmarks.

Inspired by the positive mindsets and intentions of clients, we are proud to assist accomplished people who wish to accomplish more.

*Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment’s investment objectives will be achieved.

*Merrill Life Agency's California License Number 0522776  

Impressive Clientele

At Luciano & Associates, we serve successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists that have accumulated significant wealth. And while clients acknowledge that their professional achievements are considerable, these thoughtful individuals typically put their children’s education, charitable causes, and other worthy endeavors at the top of their priorities, and extravagance at the bottom.

We find it fulfilling to assist clients who want their wealth to effect positive change in the world. Clients also want their children to share those ambitions, and are raising their kids with the middle-class values many of us still have. That’s why we’re happy to provide financial education to their children – given the opportunity.

On behalf of these “quietly-wealthy” residents of Silicon Valley and beyond – who see themselves as devoted parents and are deeply involved in their children’s education, sports and other activities – we utilize our diligence and discipline to help grow, preserve, and bring meaning to clients’ wealth.

Each of us is dedicated to building a trusted and familial relationship with clients. It’s the best way we know to embrace key areas that can contribute to a client’s prosperity and confidence.

Clients Can Expect

At Luciano & Associates, we care about clients – their financial and physical health, as well as their priorities for themselves and loved ones.

And while our clientele has typically accomplished “great things” professionally, the effort they’ve put forth often comes at a price. Before meeting with us, they may have neglected critical aspects of wealth management that can bring them greater financial stability and certainty.

In fact, the health of a client’s wealth is often determined by what they haven’t done. That’s why we begin each client relationship by focusing on areas that many financial advisory groups do not. Rather than “jumping into” a client’s portfolio and offering suggestions, we examine a client’s current liabilities, past use of credit to create opportunity, trust documents, insurance coverage, and more.

As part of our planning-based approach, we want to hear what clients say (and often, don’t say) about their comfort with wealth and other issues. From there, we can formulate integrated, goals-based strategies that can help clients achieve near-term milestones and long-term satisfaction.

When it comes to managing clients’ investments, we favor private and public equity, as well as alternative investments – thereby exposing clients to non-correlated assets and reduced risk. We also provide clients with access to Bank of America, N.A. for residential, commercial and securities-based lending. And to complement our own acumen and attention, we often coordinate with clients’ CPAs and attorneys – to align efforts for tax minimization and estate planning strategies.

We enjoy helping clients “put wealth to work” – allowing good people to do good things.

*Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment’s investment objectives will be achieved.

*Merrill Life Agency's California License Number 0522776  

What We Believe

Clients deserve that their wealth supports what they deem most important and worthy of their hard work. It may be a rewarding lifestyle, their next venture, a child’s education, a lasting legacy, a worthwhile cause, or something entirely different.

At Luciano & Associates, we are able to serve each client’s best interests, by delivering:

• Fact-based strategies. We don’t assume anything about clients. We ask questions, listen closely and strive to provide advice and guidance that’s responsive and responsible. In addition to our experience, we listen to the award-winning analysts of Merrill and thought leaders around the world. Blending our “knowledge of you” with internal and external insights is a potent formula for addressing each client’s ambitions.

• The power of synergy. Because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, we coordinate internally with specialists throughout our firm and externally with clients’ other trusted advisors – including their CPAs and attorneys. Acting collaboratively and proactively is a hallmark of our “get it done right” philosophy.

• Updates, insights, and the form of those communications tailored to each client’s needs. Many clients don’t want to get “into the weeds” of their investments. Others are quite interested in their holdings and our thinking behind a recommendation. It’s incumbent on us to deliver information how, when and where each client prefers.

It feels good to serve clients whose personal values weigh heavily on their meaning of wealth. We believe that we are as motivated as the people we serve.

*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.


*Institutional Investor magazine announced BofA Global Research as one of the Top Global Research Firms in 2022 based on surveys held throughout the year. The magazine creates rankings of the top research analysts in a wide variety of specializations, drawn from the choices of portfolio managers and other investment professionals at more than 1,000 firms. 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. Learn more about the methodology at Institutional Investor. Rankings and recognition from Institutional Investor 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.

 

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.

Paul M Luciano

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.

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.

      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.