Women’s superpower: Investing

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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.

Carol J Bunch

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 Advisors" 2023
Published on April 4, 2023. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2022.

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 "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2022
Published on April 7, 2022.  Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2021.

James Murphy

Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" 2022
Published on August 3, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.

Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" 2021
Published on September 21, 2021. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2021.

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.

Faheem Chaudhry

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

Ralph Perez

Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #1389976

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

Profile

Carol J. Bunch, CRPC®
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor

Carol Bunch is a Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill in Chicago, devoting over 40 years to servicing the needs of high net worth clients. She has developed a professional acumen in advising clients with regard to cash flow management, long term wealth management, portfolio diversification and sophisticated wealth transfer strategies.

Carol and her team are committed to outstanding client service. Carol was named to Forbes "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" list in 2022 (*Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list, published on February 4, 2022. Rankings based on data as of Sept 30, 2021.) and Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list in 2022 (*Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published on April 7, 2022. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2021.). Carol earned the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation, awarded by the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp., and holds a bachelors degree from Purdue University. She has been selected for numerous development programs offered by the company to evolve her proficiency in wealth management, and continues to expand her knowledge through post graduate courses at the University of Chicago and Wharton School of Business.


*Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list, published on February 4, 2022. Rankings based on data as of Sept 30, 2021.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes.com. America’s Top Women Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client impact, industry experience, review of best practices and 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. 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.

*Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published on April 7, 2022. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2021.

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.

James D. Murphy IV, CPWA®
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
Portfolio Manager

After Jim completed his degree from Miami University, he joined the Chicago office of Merrill in 2011. Working primarily with executives, consultants, and families, he provides clients with personalized financial strategies through a goals-based wealth management process. James is focused on helping clients achieve their personal financial goals – one step at a time. He was recognized on Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list in 2022 for the sixth consecutive year (*Source: The Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list, published annually July - Sept. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of current year). James lives in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. When not in the office, he can be found volunteering his time to Project C.U.R.E and Ronan’s Reel, the latter of which he founded in 2019, playing squash at the University Club of Chicago, or waking up early on the weekends to watch his favorite Premiere League team, Manchester United.


*Source: The Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list, published annually July - Sept. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of current year.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes “Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors” ranking. SHOOK considered advisors born in 1983 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor. Advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person
interviews to measure best practices, 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. Rankings are based on
the opinions of Forbes and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. 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.

 


Erica S. Nitzkin, CPFA, CRPC®
Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Specialist 

Erica is the Wealth Management Specialist for The Bunch Group. As the initial point of contact on our team, Erica works closely with high net-worth clients to address both their immediate needs and long-term goals. She is responsible for providing diligent and detailed client services and administrative support to uphold clients' evolving wealth management needs. Erica earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation, awarded by the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. as well as the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA®) designation, awarded by the National Association of Plan Advisors. Erica grew up in the suburbs of Chicago before attending and graduating from the University of Missouri. Erica joined Merrill with The Bunch Group in 2017.


Colin Ahearn
Wealth Management Client Associate


Colin is a Wealth Management Client Associate for The Bunch Group. Colin supports the team’s business by developing relationships and working closely with new and existing clients to address individual needs. He strives to develop a unique experience for each client to prioritize their financial well-being. As a point of contact for our team, Colin is able to help with any and all of your needs and goals. Colin joins us from Indiana, where he grew up in Porter County. Prior to joining our team, Colin graduated from Indiana University in 2020. Colin enjoys spending valuable time with friends and family and is an avid sports fan.

Philosophy

We believe the best financial approach is the one that helps you pursue your goals. That's why, from the start, we talk about your aspirations and encourage you to ask questions about issues that matter most to you. Calculating how to manage future health care expenses? College on the horizon? Considering the sale of a business or purchase of a home? Preparing to pass your wealth to future generations? It all starts with a plan intended to help you manage, grow, and preserve your wealth today, while also considering the impact it can have for years to come. With access to the investment insights of Merrill and banking solutions from Bank of America, we will work with you to develop an approach designed to help address your financial needs.

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

We 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.

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.