Christopher Michael Bernal, CFP, CRPC

Senior Vice President
International Wealth Advisor
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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management

Understanding your life priorities is an important part of how I work with the clients I serve. It’s not just about markets and returns, it’s about what matters most to you. I welcome the opportunity to show you how we can work together to create a financial approach designed around you, your goals and your aspirations.

Profile

Chris holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® certification and relies upon his experience while working closely with clients to develop tailored strategies across multiple wealth disciplines, implementing cohesive frameworks designed to grow, preserve, and transfer wealth effectively. Chris begins each relationship by gaining a thorough understanding of each client’s unique circumstances, encompassing his or her personal history, family dynamics, motivations, and passions. He then applies his knowledge of investment management, cash management, retirement strategy, trust and estate planning services, and banking services through Bank of America, N.A., to design customized approaches for each client. Chris, in tandem with a client's other professional advisors, takes into consideration the potential impact of current tax regulations on the differing aspects of each client's financial situation.

Chris joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2008. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Houston Honors College. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, CRPC® designation in addition to the CFP® certification.  Chris lives in Hollywood, Florida with his wife and children, including their Cocker Spaniel, rescued Greyhound and rescued cat.  In his free time, Chris enjoys fishing and camping with his family, cooking, golfing and playing tennis.

  • LANGUAGES

    English

  • EDUCATION

    University of Houston

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.

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.

Michael Hagopian

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

Sameer Derashri

Wealth Strategist

Merrill

Nick Foley

Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #1190976

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

My goal is to help clients pursue their personal goals, such as planning for and funding their children’s educations, helping to ensure that their money lasts in retirement, planning for their potential health care costs and managing the transfer of wealth to the younger generation. Everything I do takes into account clients’ personal perspectives and priorities. I aim to help bring simplicity and transparency to the complexities of investing; making the intimidating task of planning for the future an exciting journey of managing and helping reach your goals.

Philosophy

It’s important to plan for your financial future, which means getting more than investment advice. I believe you may find value in a one-on-one relationship with someone dedicated to knowing who you are and what you want to accomplish. Someone who knows your kids’ names, how hard you worked to get where you are, how you define a successful life and how you view investing. My commitment is centered in helping clients achieve their goals by making their needs and wants a priority. My advice and financial approach are guided by what’s important to you, and our success is defined by your satisfaction over time.

Approach

My approach to investing is grounded in an understanding of you. It all begins with a conversation. I 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. I'll work together with you to understand your investment personality, prioritize your goals and build a financial approach that reflects your needs. I 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.

Capabilities

My process is designed to help deliver a customized, consistent experience to assist clients not only in wealth accumulation and preservation, but in areas that go beyond investments. My ability to provide access to the investment insights of Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank, and the banking convenience and lending solutions of Bank of America offers a way to help clients manage all of the pieces of their financial lives. I view myself as a financial resource, helping clients with potential solutions for transferring wealth to the younger generation.

Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”).

Focus On Individuals, Families and Small Businesses

I 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. So whether you’re planning your retirement, saving to buy a home or fund a child’s education, I start by getting to know you and how you feel about the following seven life priorities.

  • 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

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.

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      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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      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.


      The Power of the Right AdvisorTM
      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.