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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.

John D. Cusick

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2024
Published on January 12, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

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

Profile

John feels privileged to bring clients new opportunities and innovative strategies – continuing a family legacy of creating asset longevity through highly personalized strategies. Employing an outcomes-based approach to investments, John develops financial strategies that are collaborative and client focused. He offers a holistic approach that unifies multiple financial disciplines including asset allocation, trust and estate planning services, charitable giving, and access to customized credit through Bank of America. 

John began his career as a litigation attorney and has handled dozens of contested trials including: Divorce, Paternity, Criminal, Probate, Foreclosure, Eminent Domain, and HOA Dispute. He later transitioned his career to focus on appellate law. John has argued before every district court of appeal in Florida. John does not provide legal advice in his role as a financial advisor.

John is a FINRA registered financial advisor and passionately helps clients pursue their financial goals. He genuinely cares about his clients’ financial well-being and is committed to delivering the highest level of service. His passion is fueled by the knowledge he makes a positive difference in the lives of his clients. He is committed to helping his clients meet financial challenges at every stage of life. 

 John lives with his wife and five year old son in Brentwood, TN. In his spare time, John is an avid reader and loves outdoor activities including hiking, skiing and traveling.

    Professional Staff

    Supported by the global resources of Merrill, my 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.

    Samantha C Sylvester

    Wealth Strategies Advisor

    Bank of America, N.A.

    Where do we begin? It starts with you.

    At Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, your financial advisor focuses on the things you care about most- family, goals and priorities - even as they change over the years.

    Understanding Your Life

    Approach

    Every relationship begins with a conversation, helping you identify and prioritize which goals matter most to you. Whether it's transferring wealth to the next generation, customizing your financial approach to help you pursue your passions, or providing advice and guidance to help you stay informed, I start by listening to learn more about you and your family.

    Capabilities

    Merrill’s process is designed to help deliver a customized, comprehensive experience to assist you not only in wealth accumulation and preservation, but in areas that go beyond investments. Providing you with access to the investment insights of Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank, and the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America offers a way to help you manage all of the pieces of your financial life. Working one-on-one with a Merrill advisor means you have a single point of contact to help you with potential strategies for transferring wealth to the younger generation.

    Focus On Individuals, Families and Small Businesses

    I believe that financial success can be achieved when you’re able to make investment-related decisions and trade-offs that can help you reach personally meaningful goals. Whether you’re planning your retirement, saving to buy a home or funding a child’s education, the process begins by getting to know you and how you feel about the following:

    • 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 others and giving to charities
    • Work: Working in retirement, selling or starting a business
    • Finance: Bringing it all together and defining your financial goals

    Success will be measured by the amount of progress you are making toward reaching your goals, making thoughtfully considered adjustments as events and conditions warrant.

    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.

    Your approach to investing

    Drawing upon research in the field of behavioral finance, Merrill developed the Investment Personality Assessment to help us get to know you better as an investor and potentially help you refine your own investing preferences. By gaining a deeper understanding of how you think and feel about investing through this assessment, we can customize the financial approach we develop together to help you pursue what matters most to you. Our Investment Personality Assessment is one of the ways to help us get to know you - to understand your goals and priorities. These questions will help us provide you with additional insights and resources.

    Understanding your goals and priorities

    Your life and goals change. We have tools to help you keep track of these changes so they can be reflected in your financial approach.

    Succeeding in a Transforming World

    We live in a world that’s constantly changing. Markets fluctuate moment to moment. New investment opportunities arise daily. Regulations are amended often. Life is an ever-evolving journey filled with an array of personal, professional, and financial decisions. Consequently, there is no singular wealth management strategy or tactic that is appropriate for everyone.

    Your needs and priorities are specific to your family, work, health and home are continuously evolving. And since your finances are so deeply connected with the rest of your life, you need strategies that are specific to your unique situation. Even if you’re accustomed to managing your wealth on your own, you will find value in having a relationship with someone who understands your priorities and who has the knowledge and resources to help you make more informed decisions, no matter where in your life you are.

    Dedicated Service

    I am dedicated to helping clients address their personal, financial, strategic and philanthropic goals. I serve a select group of affluent individuals, family offices, businesses and nonprofits, and seeks to develop long-term client relationships marked by superior service, personalized attention, customized investment guidance and meaningful financial outcomes.

    I combine real-world experience with postgraduate education and extensive professional training. This allows me to stay abreast of new ideas and important industry trends and helps prepare for events that might affect your financial situation. In my approach to wealth management, I look beyond your investments, seeking to integrate the various facets of your financial life, including insurance, education funding, asset accumulation, preservation, and wealth transfer. I seek to address not only your own current and future needs but also those important to your family. My goal is to be the first call you and your family make for financial advice and guidance—no matter how large or small.

    *Merrill Life Agency's California License Number 0522776 

    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 I can help you create a financial approach that reflects your personality. Only then can I 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.