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.

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.

Gary Smith

Philosophy
I want to know what keeps you up at night. I spend a lot of time with clients helping them to determine their risk tolerance. I believe in the SWAN philosophy (sleep well at night). I believe the best financial strategy is the one that helps you pursue your goals. That's why, from the start, I talk about what you would like to accomplish and encourage you to ask questions about issues that matter most to you. Worried about how to fund nursing home care? Would you like to learn more about Long Term Care? Worried about market volatility? Thinking of how to pass your assets on to the next generation in a tax efficient manner? Is your life insurance working the way you need it to? Are you divorced and need to be educated about finances? Have you had an investment review recently? Would you like a second opinion on your investments? Are you considering a loan, a home refinance or a mortgage? Many people that I work with have moved from other states and many have blended families. Have you considered your beneficiary designations? Are you ready to retire or are already retired and need to consider distribution options from retirement accounts? What about banking resources? Considering the sale of a business?  With access to the full suite of resources from the investment insights of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America, I will work with you to develop strategies designed to help address your financial needs.

*Banking and lending services provided by Bank of America, N.A.

**Gary Smith NMLS ID 578461

***You have choices about what to do with your 401(k) or other type of plan-sponsored accounts. Depending on your financial circumstances, needs, and goals, you may choose to roll over to an IRA or convert to a Roth IRA, roll over a 401(k) from a prior employer to a 401(k) at your new employer, take a distribution, or leave the account where it is. Each choice may offer different investments and services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment (particularly with reference to employer stock), and provide different protection from creditors and legal judgments. These are complex choices and should be considered with care. For more information, please contact your Merrill Financial Advisor.

Welcome

I strive to understand you and your priorities. To take the time, to ask hard, smart questions and to listen carefully, then to understand, in great detail, exactly where your wealth stands today, and where you’d like it to be tomorrow. I then help you design, implement and periodically review a customized wealth management strategy that helps you and your family pursue your personal financial goals without unnecessary investment risk. My wealth management approach is about using wealth to help turn goals into reality. When you succeed, I succeed.

You should connect with me if you:

• Seek a tailored retirement income plan
• Are divorced and looking for a new, professional relationship with an advisor
• You have moved and would like a local advisor relationship
• Seek access to banking services
• Are a CPA or Attorney interested in providing a resource for your clients