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Gunter Hamilton DeCaro Wealth Management Group

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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management


The Gunter Hamilton DeCaro Wealth Management Group is committed to providing our clients with an exceptional wealth planning experience.  We take the time to get to know our clients deeply, beyond just their investment needs, so that we can help our clients achieve their financial life goals.  Our clients are the center of everything we do and we work tirelessly to make the complexities of financial life simple to understand.

Welcome

At The Gunter Hamilton DeCaro Wealth Management Group, we have spent decades serving clientele that appreciates our competency, care and consideration. Founded in 1970, we have managed our clients’ money and emotions amid the historic volatility in 1987, 2000, 2008 and 2020. This gives us an informed perspective that we use today to help clients mitigate risk and follow the strategy we’ve put in motion. 

Relationships and results matter to us.  At the heart of our approach is the care we deliver. Personally and professionally, we feel rewarded helping people find joy in their lifestyles, livelihoods, and legacies.  We nurture enduring relationships by making conversations comfortable rather than formal. We engage in thought provoking conversations with both spouses that revolve around their interests and concerns.

We are well aware that people can choose from thousands of advisors. We are also aware that our own diligence and performance can help clients achieve what matters most to them. We deliver insight, education and enlightened perspectives to our clients. The referrals we receive tell us we’re proficient in building effective strategies and enduring relationships. We look forward to doing the same for you.

Passion For Planning

Our planning-based approach drives everything we do. From the outset of each relationship, we help clients explore and prioritize their most cherished goals for themselves, and the people they love. To learn, we ask many questions and listen (more than talk):

• “What concerns do you have – what keeps you up at night?”
• “How much do you expect to spend in retirement?”
• “Do you have a trust or will? Was it recently updated?”
• “Do you anticipate supporting someone (parent, child, for example) in retirement?”
• “What do you really want that you think you can’t afford?”
• “What role would you like us to play?”

We also get specific. We ask about a new client’s current cash flow – how much and how they spend. How do they feel about their investing experience? And what part of their financial picture they hope to improve. We also examine both sides of their balance sheet – assets and liabilities – to identify ways to consolidate or improve the use of debt.

Please note that our planning process is ongoing, not a one-time event. Over the course of each relationship, we will work to enhance our understanding of clients – what is on their mind and in their heart. Ultimately, we aim to help clients identify their goals for their wealth, so that the strategy we develop can help them feel comfortable in pursuing these goals.

To provide the depth and breadth of “family wealth” planning, we devote ourselves to understanding the ambitions of all stakeholders – spouses and children. From familial relationships with clients and open communications come strategies that often span risk-managed investing, retirement and education planning, wealth transfer and legacy planning, and philanthropy.

To optimally coordinate and align our tax minimization and estate planning strategies with those of clients’ other trusted advisors, we often invite their CPAs and attorneys “to the table.” And to provide a fiduciary standard and share the highest level of knowledge and know-how, we also call upon specialists at our firm’s trust company.

When it comes to investments, we encourage clients to share their perspective on achieving steady long-term growth, in relation to the risk they are willing to take. Formulating customized portfolios that incorporates our firm’s world-class research and a client’s investment timeline, liquidity needs, goals and risk tolerance, we use multiple asset classes including individual equities and options portfolios for income and to help mitigate downside risk.

Our clients’ achievements and discipline have led to financial and personal success. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to help manage that wealth responsibly and in the most respectful manner. The quality and longevity of our client relationships remind us of the roles we play and the trust we’ve earned.


*Institutional Investor magazine announced BofA Global Research as one of the Top Global Research Firms in 2022 based on surveys held throughout the year. The magazine creates rankings of the top research analysts in a wide variety of specializations, drawn from the choices of portfolio managers and other investment professionals at more than 1,000 firms. BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc (“BofAS”) and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Learn more about the methodology at Institutional Investor. Rankings and recognition from Institutional Investor 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.
*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 research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”) and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. 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.
*Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Before engaging in the purchase or sale of options, investors should understand the nature of and extent of their rights and obligations and be aware of the risks involved in investing with options. Prior to buying or selling an option, clients must receive the options disclosure document Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. This document is available by contacting your Financial Advisor.

Focus On Retirement

In the vast majority of cases, a rewarding retirement lifestyle is the #1 priority for clients of The Gunter Hamilton DeCaro Wealth Management Group. Consequently, we have developed a strong competency in helping clients plan for and prosper in retirement. Our experience creating retirement income generation and distribution strategies is very significant.
Getting to appreciate each client’s vision of retirement is both fascinating and fulfilling to us. Beyond the bottom line, we remind clients that part of our job is helping them leave memories, not just money – finding joy along the way without compromising their long-term financial goals.

With most clients earning, or having earned, the money they need for themselves and their families, our team’s goal is to help clients preserve and grow their wealth without undue risk or tax consequences. Through our extensive planning process, we account for a client’s aspirations, risk tolerance, investment timeline and the need for liquidity. Likely and unlikely scenarios are also evaluated and explained. It is critical that clients can articulate what wealth means to them and appreciate how decisions can affect future generations.

Each day, we address clients’ far-ranging concerns – which include outliving their money in retirement, when to take Social Security benefits, the overall viability of Social Security, the sustainability of their other distributions, Medicare and long-term care insurance decisions, and future medical costs. As the primary financial resource for most clients, we welcome their questions. And rather than ever make assumptions, we make time for multiple meetings at clients’ kitchen tables, local restaurants, our conference table, or with a virtual meeting.

Working collaboratively as a team and closely with clients, we position ourselves to understand the decision points that clients will face. As a result, we can be proactive (not reactive) and help clients “see around corners” – to help them prepare for circumstances they envision, and those they do not.

When clients’ life transitions bring about significant financial challenges, we take a “hands-on, hands-held” approach. As seasoned and sensitive advisors, we strive to help clients make thoughtful, unhurried decisions. In everything we do, we are dedicated to increasing the probability of what our clients deserve – a rewarding and stress-free lifestyle in retirement.

Given our decades of experience, we rarely see situations we have not encountered. In addition to our team’s nuanced insights, we allow clients to benefit from others we have assisted in similar positions. We feel incredibly fortunate to have long memories and relationships.

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.

Gunter Hamilton DeCaro Wealth Management Group

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2023-2024
Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.*

Meet Our Team

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, our 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.

Jonathan Close

Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #988343

Rosemary Dourian

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

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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      No question too big or moment too small
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      The Power of the Right Advisor®
      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.