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The Dunn-Dunne-Wall-Hegenbart Group

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Applying extensive investment knowledge and experience, we will work with you to develop a customized investment strategy to help your institution be more efficient and responsive in today’s evolving market.

We start with what’s important to you

We take the time to listen and learn about the needs and goals of your institution and the people it serves – it’s these real-world insights that guide our strategies and personalized service.

About Us

About Us

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For more than 30 years, The Dunn-Dunne-Wall-Hegenbart Group has dedicated itself to helping some of the most sophisticated institutions in the nation oversee their assets prudently and manage their businesses. Our team channels the resources and deep expertise resident at Bank of America to diverse groups of institutional clients. Our mission is to harness the power of one of the world's largest global financial firms on behalf of clients through an intimate client-consultant relationship.

In 2015, George Dunn, Peter Dunne and Bruce Wall were named to Barron's prestigious list of Top 25 Institutional Financial Advisors, in its inaugural appearance. They have also appeared on the 2016, 2017, and 2018 lists* (published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.)

Drawing on the expertise of specialists throughout Bank of America & Merrill, we serve a wide array of institutional clients, including a number of tax-exempt charitable organizations:

  • Mission-based social services organizations
  • Religious Organizations
  • Trade associations and other industry associations
  • Hospitals and health care organizations
  • College and secondary school endowments
  • Public and private foundations
  • Community foundations
  • Defined-benefit pension plans
  • Defined-contribution plans
We also provide consulting and investment services to select families whose exceptional wealth demands institutional-quality investment and wealth management.

Underscoring every service we offer is the conviction that to be effective, investment strategies must be carefully integrated with an organization's strategic objectives, governance framework, investment policy and risk-management function. As such, we take the time to understand the broader challenges and goals of the organizations we serve before devising investment strategies for them.

George Dunn, Kathleen Hegenbart and Bruce Wall have a deep understanding of the needs of institutions, and they bring clients broad experience across several diverse client. segments. They completed the rigorous Global Institutional Consulting selection process administered by Bank of America, that included a deep review of their experience serving institutions and a comprehensive, multidimensional professional assessment process.

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"Each of us is passionate about strengthening, and growing clients' organizations, and helping these institutions fulfill their missions is very gratifying to us."
— George Dunn, CIMA®
MANAGING DIRECTOR
SENIOR CONSULTANT
GLOBAL INSTITUTIONAL CONSULTANT
 *Global Institutional Consulting is part of the Global Wealth & Investment Management business of BofA Corp. Institutional Investments & Philanthropic Solutions (“II&PS”) is part of Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Trust and fiduciary services and other banking products are provided by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America, N.A. Global Institutional Consultants mentioned herein are registered representatives with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) and may assist you with investment products and services. The nature and degree of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and clients’ rights and Merrill’s obligations will differ depending upon the products and services actually provided. Banking activities may be performed by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Brokerage and investment advisory services are provided by wholly owned non-bank affiliates of BofA Corp., including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser and Member SIPC.

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 100 Institutional Consulting Teams” list, published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.

The Barron’s “Top 100 Institutional Consulting Teams” ranking evaluated advisors on a range of criteria, including institutional investment assets overseen by the advisor and his/her team, the revenue generated by those assets, the number of clients served, and the number of team members and their regulatory records. Also considered were the advanced professional designations and accomplishment represented on the team. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron’s 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. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Rankings and
recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

Our Approach

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We listen.
We educate. We help you make decisions that advance the goals of your organization. We assist and guide your institution's investment stewards in carrying out their fiduciary responsibilities.

We look at your organization as a whole. We work with both sides of your balance sheet. We believe that your investment policy should be in harmony with both the shorter- and longer-term goals of your institution. We help you to understand and measure how liabilities may impact the construction of your investment portfolio.

Our approach is hands-on. We seek to support and enhance the capabilities of the Investment Committee, the chief financial officer and the back office. We know how to integrate with your staff and key outside advisors.

  • For CFOs coping with tight operating budgets, we can serve as a valuable off-balance-sheet resource that can supplement internal resources.
  • For boards of trustees or investment committees, we offer in-depth analysis, strategic perspective, industry best practices and investment guidance. We are experienced in building consensus at the committee and board level, a skill that is important to almost every institution.
As a client, you will have access to a broad spectrum of solutions: traditional consulting, client-directed implementation, full discretionary authority—depending on your resources and desire to delegate.

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"A clear-cut investment process is essential to every nonprofit institution. Over time, organizations change, cash and spending needs change, and, of course, markets change. An Investment Policy Statement (IPS) has to be well written and should encompass the investment goals of the organization. An IPS should be reviewed frequently and modified if necessary to keep up with changing circumstances."
— Peter F. Dunne, CIMA®
MANAGING DIRECTOR
SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR
GLOBAL INSTITUTIONAL CONSULTANT

 

Retirement Benefits Consultant

As Bank of America Retirement Benefits Consultants (RBC), The Dunn-Dunne-Wall-Hegenbart Group is one of a select group of highly qualified and credentialed Merrill  advisors specialized in defined contribution plans who can add value to your plan by:

  • Offering access to 3(21) fiduciary services1
  • Helping you shape your investment strategies
  • Offering thoughtful advice without a proprietary investment requirement
  • Providing periodic reporting and helping you understand results and measurements to assist you in managing your plan over time
  • Working with you to create a plan that is designed to drive employee engagement and positive participant behavior
  • Assisting in the delivery of employee financial wellness programs and education
  • Educating employees on connecting their life priorities with their finances to help them pursue what matters most to them
1Fiduciary Advisory Services is an investment advisory program sponsored by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. MLPF&S. MLPF&S offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory and other services. There are important differences between brokerage and investment advisory services, including the type of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences, particularly when determining which service or services to select. Please refer to the Fiduciary Advisory Services Brochure for information on the program including a description of the series and related fees.

Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor

As a Bank of America Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor[s] (RAFA), The Dunn-Dunne-Wall-Hegenbart Group  one of a select group of Merrill advisors specialized in defined contribution plans who can add value to your plan by:

  • Offering access to 3(21) fiduciary services1
  • Helping you shape your investment strategies
  • Offering thoughtful advice without a proprietary investment requirement
  • Providing periodic reporting and helping you understand results and measurements to assist you in managing your plan over time
  • Working with you to create a plan that is designed to drive employee engagement and positive participant behavior
  • Assisting in the delivery of employee financial wellness programs and education
  • Educating employees on connecting their life priorities with their finances to help them pursue what matters most to them

1 Fiduciary Advisory Services is an investment advisory program sponsored by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. MLPF&S. MLPF&S offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory and other services. There are important differences between brokerage and investment advisory services, including the type of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences, particularly when determining which service or services to select. Please refer to the Fiduciary Advisory Services Brochure for information on the program including a description of the series and related fees.

Why Hire Us

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Experience:
 We have a long history advising nonprofit organizations. In 1985, George Dunn was a founder of the Investments & Wealth Institute™ and served as its president. In these roles, he helped develop the industry's benchmark certification program, Certified Investment Management Analyst®. He also helped found the Association of Professional Investment Consultants at Smith Barney.

Global Resources—Local Presence: Our team can marshal Merrill's investing and capital markets, BofA Global research and Bank of America's banking capabilities on behalf of clients. We offer sophisticated philanthropic solutions through Bank of America Private Bank.

A Holistic Approach: Our strategies don't begin and end with your investment portfolio. We identify the key issues facing your organization from the investment, governance and balance sheet perspective. We help CFOs and investment committees better assess their needs and more sharply define their goals, helping them make more informed decisions in the process.

Client Focus: We bring deep experience to the institutions we serve, but we never forget that no one has a better understanding of the challenges facing these organizations, than the people who lead them. This recognition manifests itself in the humility we bring to client relationships.

Actionable Advice: Our focus is on finding strategies, not just providing analysis. We believe our insights and thoughtful advice can help you make better decisions, while our experience and resources can be invaluable as we work together to implement those decisions. 

Valuable Support: The demands on nonprofits have never been greater. By leveraging our team's experience and resources, you can off-load the time-consuming tasks that may prevent you from focusing on the more strategic, higher-value initiatives that are central to meeting your goals.

Commitment: The mission of many clients is to help people spiritually, physically or economically. We are committed to helping people who lead organizations dedicated to bettering the lives of others. Put simply, we care about clients and the communities they serve.

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"We are investment professionals with a great deal of experience, so clients expect us to offer knowledgeable guidance.

We distinguish our work by giving clients the unexpected—by going beyond the portfolio. We are committed not only to delivering quality investment work, but also to supporting you as you seek to fulfill your institution's mission."

— Peter F. Dunne, CIMA®
MANAGING DIRECTOR
SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR
GLOBAL INSTITUTIONAL CONSULTANT



*Any information presented in connection with BofA Global Research is general in nature and is not intended to provide personal investment advice. The information does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person who may receive it. Investors should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. BofA Global Research is equity research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”) and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofA Global Research does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision.


Meet the Group

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George, Peter, Kathleen and Bruce are joined by a group of professionals with extensive experience in financial services and in-depth knowledge of the structure and capabilities of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and banking products of Bank of America. As such, the team is well-positioned to deliver the many benefits a relationship with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management can bring to your organization.

Additional Resources

The Dunn-Dunne-Wall-Hegenbart Group is supported by talented specialists who have experience working with institutions and share a strong commitment to guiding investment programs and strategic decision making.

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.

George Dunn

Peter F Dunne

Bruce Wall

Solutions for Institutions

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And More

Beyond our experience, we offer access to the deep intellectual capital and broad capabilities of Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates. If we identify a need we can’t service ourselves, we can connect you with the people and resources to help you. Through our network of advisors, we strive to deliver strategies to help you manage the day-to-day and long-term responsibilities required in pursuing your institution’s goals. As we work together to address your evolving needs, we can help make the broad capabilities of Bank of America Corporation feel more accessible.

Investment Solutions

We provide access to a broad suite of potential investment solutions for non-profit organizations, foundations, endowments and corporate retirement and pension plans. Our level of involvement is based on your preference — from traditional consulting, to client-directed implementation, to full discretionary outsourced CIO services. We work with your CFO, board  of directors and investment committee to develop a tailored investment strategy that is consistent with your culture, goals, preferences and risk profile.

Disciplined Investment Process

We follow a disciplined process that helps to address your organization’s changing needs and provides you with a potentially higher probability of achieving your long-term investment goals.

1

Investment Policy Statement Development and Review

Act as liaison between institutional clients and Merrill's Investment Policy Statement (IPS) service, which creates and modifies an IPS, based on the client’s investment goals and objectives.

2

Strategic Allocation Modeling

Customizable asset allocation based on the Chief Investment Office capital market assumptions.

3

Investment Manager Due Diligence

Recommend investment solutions leveraging Merrill's thorough and rigorous due diligence process.

4

Investment Manager Search and Selection

Advanced portfolio construction techniques combined with client specific objectives and Merrill's capital market guidance.

5

Portfolio Strategy

Leverage Merrill's global intellectual capital including tactical tilts to potentially help increase returns.

6

Performance Measurement

Review, quantify and evaluate performance to identify opportunities to refine the portfolio’s overall strategy, based on the Investment Policy Statement.

Endowments, Foundations and Nonprofits

We understand the issues nonprofits, endowments and foundations address in funding their missions in an ever-changing financial climate. Drawing on the global resources of Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates, we offer insight, guidance and personalized service to help institutions develop and execute investment strategies focused on what matters most to them and the people they serve.

Impact investing and/or Environmental Social Governance (ESG) investing has certain risks based on the fact that ESG criteria excludes securities of certain issuers for nonfinancial reasons and therefore, investors may forgo some market opportunities and the universe of investments available will be smaller.

Defined benefit plans

Whether your defined benefit plan is an active part of your overall benefit offering, is closed to new participants, or fully frozen, Bank of  America's service model allows you to outsource the many administrative tasks associated with the maintenance of a pension plan to fulfill plan obligations and manage risk.

Key services include:
• Investment consulting service
• Open architecture investment management platform
• Liability driven investment implementation
• Actuarial services and discretionary investment management

Helping institutions meet their investment needs

We put the resources and intellectual capital of Merrill to work for institutional clients like you by delivering thoughtful advice and sophisticated investment strategies through focused client-centric consulting. We help organizations like yours address today’s complex investment challenges through an integrated, goals-based investment process that enables them to redefine success, manage risk and help fulfill their missions.

Supporting a strong retirement plan and helping to keep it on track

The retirement and financial needs of your employees, as well as the responsibility those needs create for you as an employer, are important to you. We offer the solutions your employees may need to help pursue their financial goals and maintain financial wellness. Our array of resources and experience is designed to help meet your employees’ financial needs in ways that make sense for your company — strategically, operationally and financially. You and your employees will have a team of experienced and passionate advocates for financial wellness on your side. Our team will make your priorities their own so you can focus more on your business.

For Plan Sponsors

Your role as a plan sponsor is more challenging than ever, and it’s not something to face alone. We bring the resources and thought leadership from Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates to bear in helping you provide a strong, healthy and fully compliant program that runs smoothly, engages your employees and makes your job easier. We can help you focus on the areas that may be helpful to plan success, including Fiduciary Advisory Services 1 and Education and Plan Services 2 appropriate for your plan.

Fiduciary Advisory Services1

Through Fiduciary Advisory Services, we can help you design and maintain an investment menu.
  • Investment Policy Statement (IPS)3
  • Comprehensive due diligence processes to identify appropriate investments 
  • Proactive delivery – online and by your designated advisor – of investment performance reporting every quarter 
  • Report providing fund analysis and market trends.

1 Fiduciary Advisory Services is an investment advisory program sponsored by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”). Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory and other services. There are important differences between brokerage and investment advisory services, including the type of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences, particularly when determining which service or services to select. Please refer to the Fiduciary Advisory Services Brochure for information on the program including a description of the series and related fees.

2 Education and Plan Services are non-fiduciary services required for Advisor Alliance clients and optional for MLII clients.

3 IPS service is not available for FAS Discretionary. The plan sponsor is responsible for the approval and final adoption of the IPS.

CIO Chart Book Outlook Summary

This document summarizes Bank of America Chief Investment Office asset class views and illustrates the CIO market outlook and positioning through a collection of graphs and tables.

Solutions for Individuals

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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, we 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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

Wealth Management Your Way

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

Your Financial Approach

We offer you access to the investing insights of Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank, and the banking convenience of Bank of America to help you pursue your goals. We will work to help you stay on track, regardless of what the markets are doing.

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FAMILY
Taking care of your family and other people in your life
  • Trust & Estate Services4
  • Education Funding1
  • Insurance3
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HEALTH
Planning for healthcare expenses now and in the future
  • Long-term Care Insurance3
  • Health Savings Account2
  • Disability Insurance3
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HOME
Upsizing, downsizing, remodeling or buying a vacation home
  • Home Loans2
  • Home Equity Lines of Credit2
  • Securities-Based Lending2
  • Credit Cards2
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WORK
Working in retirement, selling or starting a business
  • Bank of America Business Banking2
  • Exchange Funds1
  • Concentrated Stock Management1
  • Succession Planning1
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LEISURE
Spending your free time in meaningful ways
  • Credit Cards2
  • Securities-Based Lending2
  • Structured Lending2
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GIVING
Volunteering, mentoring others and giving to charities
  • Donor-Advised Funds4
  • Private Foundations4
  • Charitable Trusts4
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FINANCE
Using your finances to bring it all together
  • Merrill Investment Accounts1
  • Investment Advisory Accounts1
  • Alternative Investments1
  • Exchange-Traded Funds1
  • Mutual Funds1
  • Closed-end Funds1
  • Fixed Income Products1
  • Options1
  • Annuities3
  • Impact Portfolios1
  • Market-Linked Investments1
  • Securities-Based Lending2
  • Margin1
  • Home Loans2
  • Bank of America Checking and Savings Accounts2
  • Credit Cards2
  • Online Account Access1,2

¹ Investment products are offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
² Banking, mortgage and home equity products offered by Bank of America, N.A.
³ Insurance and annuity products offered through Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc.
4 Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Bank of America Private Bank.

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.

Join us

Let’s Have a Conversation

There is no substitute for a one-on-one relationship with a Merrill financial advisor committed to your needs.