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. Worried about managing 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? With access to the investment insights of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America, we will work with you to develop an approach designed to help address your financial needs.

Approach

Our approach to investing is grounded in an understanding of you. It all begins with a conversation. We take the time to get to know you — your kids' names, how hard you worked to get where you are and how you define success. We'll work together with you to understand your investment personality, prioritize your goals and build a financial approach that reflects your needs. We believe investors can benefit from our advice, access to the investment insights offered by Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank and the banking convenience of Bank of America. When it comes to your success, there’s only one financial approach that really matters — yours.

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.

Capabilities

We believe that to feel good about your finances, you need to know exactly where you are, where you want to go, and how much you may need to get there. We work with you to develop a customized financial approach, drawing on the best thinking of our firm, to help you with your financial future. We will make it clear what you’re paying for and what you’re getting. As your life needs and market conditions change, we can meet to help make sure you’re on track in pursuing your goals and to adjust your approach as needed for the journey ahead.

Focus On High-Net-Worth Individuals and Families

We’re fully versed in the many issues that affect wealth management. No matter what your short- and long-term goals may be, we’ll begin by getting to know you as we explore the following seven priorities together:

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