Tune out the noise: Wealth planning for the year ahead

Hear from a panel of experts as they explore how rising interest rates, high inflation and increased volatility are impacting the economy, how family dynamics are changing estate planning and hear some actionable strategies for investors to consider in 2023.

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Merrill lynch

The Sterner Group

Wealth Management Group
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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management


The Sterner Group believes that good client relationships are built through teamwork and client involvement, delivered through our advisors, client associates and access to the global resources of Merrill. Our goal is to be your primary source for financial advice and guidance. We want you to value the dedication and diligence we provide at each step of the wealth management process.

Welcome

We chose to be part of the financial services industry to help others. This passion to help stems from collective experience and the financial challenges we have watched friends, families or ourselves experience in the past. As witnesses to challenges faced by important people in our lives, we recognized the need for a professional and caring team to help others realize the life they want. Our purpose is to help others define their goals, establish a wealth management approach centered on their priorities and then help them manage the inevitable changes in life.

Philosophy

We believe it is important that you take positive steps toward your financial future, and that means getting more than just investment advice.  We take the time to get to know you and your family, your financial situation and what matters most to you. Using an understanding of your life and priorities as a foundation, we can work with you to build a goals-based financial approach.

Approach

Working with us means working with advisors truly dedicated to your success. Our approach is simple, transparent and supported by thoughtful investment guidance.

We believe clients realize the full value of our relationship, including:

  • helping you make significant decisions
  • recognizing your life priorities and goals
  • understanding your investment personality
  • helping you prioritize and pursue goals
  • being transparent by making possibilities, fees and risks clear
  • taking steps to help you preserve income during a life challenge
  • educating the younger generation about investments and the markets

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.

Capabilities

Our 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. Our 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. We view ourselves 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

We 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, We 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.

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.

David J Sterner

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2022 and 2023
Published annually Jan- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Meet Our Team

The Sterner Group is a group of professionals that were attracted to each other because of shared belief in honesty, compassion, knowledge, and trustworthiness. We are committed to meeting the needs of our clients through straightforward, empathetic adherence to principled values. We serve people who see the world as we do. Our role is to be a companion and a guide to those who have entrusted us, not only with their wealth, but also with their life and legacy. The purpose of our business practice is to enhance the lives of our clients while ensuring that their assets make an impact on the causes that they are passionate about.

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.

Nicholas A. Beilfuss

Wealth Strategist

Merrill

Jeff Rezza

Investment Solutions Group Portfolio Strategist

Bank of America, N.A.

Lyn Shepard

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

Past Events

Monthly Client Call

March 16th, 2023|4:00 PM - 4:30 PM CST

At Merrill, we are here to help you make thoughtful decisions. That’s why we invite you to join us for this informative presentation. During this educational event, we will:
·         Cut through this week’s noise and give you everything you need to know about the markets and the economy
·         Provide you with timely information that you can consider to make informed decisions
·         Provide a tip or two that will help add value to your life.
·         Share how Merrill advisors will strive to help you pursue your goals


 Please contact Marta Soltys at 847-605-4440  by phone or email: marta.soltys@ml.com on how to join the call.

    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.

      #DigitalMerrill

      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

        Let’s Have a Conversation

        We believe there is no substitute for having a relationship with a team of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors committed to your needs, who can leverage the investment insights of Merrill and offer access to the banking convenience of Bank of America to help clients navigate the financial and economic landscapes. Let’s work together to help you pursue your goals.

        Why Merrill?

        As Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors, we will sort through the financial complexities of your life, helping you build a customized investment approach to address your needs and pursue your goals.


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        We put you first, every day.
        Learn more about the dedicated one-on-one relationship you can have with a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor.

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        Transcript of Video 

        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.

        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.