Wealth creation needs effective management

Many of the clients we work with are still actively accumulating wealth through equity compensation or through investment growth. Our team is experienced in helping high-income families develop income strategies that take into account current spending needs, while simultaneously creating actively managed investment portfolios with the potential to grow over time.

New clients are often surprised to hear us describe the aspect of our approach known as 'Goals based planning,' which addresses wealth creation, preservation, distribution and transfer. Our years of experience in working with affluent families have given us a deep insight into the behaviors that can lead to a more optimal financial journey.

• Focus on two key matters: the quality of your life today and tomorrow
• Help you understand your financial journey and pursue the kind of life you want in retirement
• Focus on balancing what's needed now while preserving and strategizing for later years
• Offer guidance designed to optimize resources and lifestyle

Sophisticated strategies for families

The CERBS Group considers your investment portfolios from a perspective of steady refinement, looking to pinpoint potential wherever we can. In recommending dynamic portfolios, we look for strategies that can respond quickly to market opportunities and events as needed. Additionally, we focus on the range of asset allocations that we believe you’ll find aligned to your risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs and objectives. From market evaluation to asset selection to fund allocation, The CERBS Group follows a disciplined process that considers economic conditions, taxes and overall risk.

SERVICES WE CAN OFFER

• Discretionary portfolio management—If you choose to use our discretionary services, you can delegate day-to-day management of the account to qualified portfolio manager, William Baxley, who can tailor strategies to your individual needs and goals.
• Fixed-income investments—Whether you’re seeking preservation, additional income or tax-minimization strategies, we can help.
• Separately managed accounts—Where warranted, we may suggest a separate account handled by a third-party private asset manager. We select managers based on extensive due diligence and research from Merrill on the manager’s experience, investment style and track record. (Past performance does not guarantee future results.)
• Alternative Investments—Where appropriate, we may also recommend alternative investments.
• Annuities—For investors seeking consistent, reliable income, we may suggest purchasing an annuity. There are various types of annuity products available, offered through well-known providers.

*Some or all alternative investments may not be in the best interests for certain investors. Certain alternative investments carry significant risk and are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as mutual funds and other traditional investments. For these reasons, access to alternative investments may be limited to investors who are designated as sophisticated, high-net-worth investors.-net-worth investors. 

*Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

*A Portfolio Manager can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis [his/her] own Personalized or Defined Strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies.

*The Chief Investment Office (CIO) provides thought leadership on wealth management, investment strategy and global markets; portfolio management solutions; due diligence; and solutions oversight and data analytics. CIO viewpoints are developed for Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., (“Bank of America”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S” or “Merrill”), a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

What kind of retirement outcome do you want?

If you are like most clients we work with, you have a retirement dream. No matter what your vision, however, chances are you’ll need significant income to maintain your lifestyle in retirement. We know from experience that helping you set realistic goals is a critical first step. Together we can look at highly advanced models that enable you to examine a variety of investment scenarios under varying market conditions and then evaluate your probability of specific goals.

During the "accumulation phase" of your investing life, we strive to recommend portfolios that have the potential to offer the highest level of return for a given level of risk. At some point near or in retirement, clients usually call on us to recommend income portfolios. We call this the "financial turning point." It’s where we turn our focus from building and maintaining an asset structure to using those assets to produce the monthly income you’ll need to live the way you want.

HOW WE APPROACH YOUR "FINANCIAL TURNING POINT"

• Consideration for total balance sheet and cash flow
• Customized spending- and tolerance-based risk assessments
• Investment tactics defined by life events and milestones, risk tolerance, time horizons, objectives, liquidity needs, and the costs associated with the recommendation.
• Dynamic, income-specific asset allocations and distribution strategies
• Outcome measurement, tracking and course correction as needed