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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William Catton

Financial Advisor
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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management

I tailor my services to meet client needs across every aspect of our relationship, combining the scale and access of a global financial institution with the high-touch, personalized approach of a boutique family office.

Profile

I work closely with individuals and multi-generational families to help preserve and grow their wealth by providing them with timely, strategic advice that extends beyond the scope of traditional investment management.  I am backed by a dedicated team with an average tenure of 21 years at the firm. We seek to add only a select number of new client relationships each year and work tirelessly to make ourselves indispensable to each one.  Our services are individually tailored to help meet the needs of each client across every aspect of our relationship.

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William Catton is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of The Cusick Catton Team in Walnut Creek.  He is responsible for crafting wealth plans, developing financial strategy, and constructing, tracking, and rebalancing client investment portfolios.

Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Mr. Catton was a Senior Analyst at Horizon Partners, where he advised high-growth technology companies on M&A opportunities.  Previously, Mr. Catton was an Analyst at Swingbridge LLC, where he performed due diligence on the firm’s public equity investments.  Mr. Catton began his career in the San Francisco office of Hall Capital Partners LLC, where he built and managed global, multi-asset class portfolios for endowments, families, and foundations.

Mr. Catton received a B.S. in Business Administration from the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon, where he was an analyst in the University’s Investment Group and co-founded the Oregon Consulting Group.

  • EDUCATION

    University of Oregon

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.

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

Welcome

I work with individuals and multi-generational families to help preserve and grow their wealth by providing them with timely, strategic advice that extends beyond the scope of traditional investment management.  I am backed by a dedicated team with an average tenure of 21 years at the firm.  We seek to add only a select number of new client relationships each year and work tirelessly to make ourselves indispensable to each one.  Our services are individually tailored to help meet the needs of each client across every aspect of our relationship.

Approach

Unlike those with traditional wealth management needs, families we serve typically have a complex wealth ecosystem.  It may encompass ownership of operating companies, real estate investments, direct investments or concentrated stock positions.  It may be first generation wealth created by entrepreneurship or wealth that spans generations.  Every portfolio we build and manage is based on a deep understanding of each family’s wealth ecosystem and their requirements and preferences.  This is critical to optimizing outcomes over the long-term.

Our relationship starts with a discovery meeting and portfolio review to help ensure your portfolio reflects the needs of all stakeholders.  This serves as a catalyst for developing your family’s wealth plan, which serves as a personalized roadmap as we strategically build and manage your portfolio and measure your investment success against clear and meaningful metrics.  At every step, we do what’s best for your wealth by doing what’s right for your family.

Investment Philosophy

While each client differs in their specific investment objectives, we adhere to a core set of investment principles that guide portfolio construction.

We maintain a long-term investment horizon and are highly selective about where to invest.

We invest globally and prudently concentrate portfolios in high conviction opportunities to help deliver better risk-adjusted returns over time.

We diversify across drivers of return. To achieve this, our portfolios typically have fixed income, equities, hedge funds, private equity, and real assets.

We are fundamental investors and partner with those we believe are among the best professional investors to express our investment views.


*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.

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.

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    #DigitalMerrill

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    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.

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      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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      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.