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.

Disciplined Process

Understanding your unique needs

Your life goals provide the basis of your customized strategies. So our approach starts with asking questions that provide a deep, meaningful understanding of your objectives. We want to offer you straightforward answers and uncomplicated strategies that lead to smarter, more informed decisions. We believe wealth management means standing alongside clients, aligning our advice and guidance with your real world objectives, and then collaborating to help design strategies to pursue them. Over time, the strategies evolve, taking into account changes in your life or your resources.

Our disciplined process progresses through five stages:

Step 1—Assess the Situation: We start by devoting considerable time and resources to learn about you and your financial position, priorities and dreams.

Step 2—Articulate Needs and Goals: As you describe to us your specific concerns, we can help you identify your goals, liquidity needs, time horizon and risk tolerance so we can help you design your customized road map.

Step 3—Define and Refine Approach: We can discuss "what if" scenarios and simulate their impact on your current lifestyle to help identify any necessary trade-offs, refine the decision-making process and make adjustments accordingly.

Step 4—Implementation: Our task at this stage is to take each of your goals and find investments or other financial strategies that can help you pursue them.

Step 5—Review Progress: Periodic reviews and evaluations of your investment strategies are key parts of the process, to help keep those strategies aligned with your goals. As your life changes, we can suggest ways to rebalance your portfolio or reformat you strategies as necessary.

Serving Your Needs

Targeted, multifaceted wealth management

To aid us in designing customized strategies to address your many financial needs, we draw not only on our own knowledge and experience but also on a network of talented specialists throughout Bank of America and Merrill.

Helping athletes toward the goal line—Professional athletes are often challenged to translate a short earning period onto a lengthy retirement that in many cases may last well over 50 years. Working with players from professional sports leagues, we understand the unique challenges that athletes face and have strategies for each stage of your career. We also can work with your other professional advisors, with your permission, to help provide the financial support and guidance you need during and after your playing career.

Strengthening your business—The finances of owners of closely held businesses can be complicated. We can offer you a wide array of services that can help you manage your business finances and your personal wealth.

Addressing corporate executives' needs—We are well versed in helping corporate executives with the complexities associated with company stock options, restricted stock and nonqualified deferred compensation, as well as with maximizing their retirement plan contributions.

Building a legacy—In order to help you preserve your wealth across generations, we coordinate with your legal and estate planning professionals to review essential documents and create strategies that may involve insurance, trusts, gifts and family partnerships.

Offering financial care to professionals—We offer retirement planning services and investment management for physicians, attorneys and other professionals, including defined-benefit and 401(k) plans. Additionally, we can assist with cash management and liquidity needs for any large purchases, investments or acquisitions.

Services for employees of government and law enforcement agencies—Our team is experienced in the financial needs and wealth outlook of civil servants, particularly state and federal law enforcement personnel. We know first-hand the career paths and changes such professionals face, and can provide guidance on tax minimizing ways to structure your wealth for retirement, taking necessary income streams and inflation into consideration.

Creating strategies for institutions—Working in conjunction with the Bank of America Global Institutional Consulting Group, we have a depth of experience helping foundations and endowments prepare strategies to help pursue their missions and fulfill their legal oversight and governance.

Providing access to Bank of America credit and lending services—Through Bank of America we can offer you access to an expansive array of commercial banking, residential lending, small business banking, and personal checking and savings.

*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.