The Linke-Pearson Group

The Linke-Pearson Group is a wealth management team based in Stamford, Connecticut. We work with a select group of clients nationwide, offering customized investment management strategies and precise implementation. We believe we're different in the way we approach your needs, foster your long-term aspirations and care about your day-to-day well-being.

Our story as a team is not typical. Our senior leaders, Allan and Scott Linke, are brothers. But our family connection to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management does not end there. A member of our family was one of the original partners dating back to 1916. Since then members of our family have continuously worked at Merrill, fulfilling roles ranging from CEO to operations. We are proud to have a family-run team within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management that continues that tradition. We see our outreach as a family business – a perspective that manifests in the way we interact with client families and with our own team members.

Our sensitivity to family legacies –the sacrifices, concerns and satisfactions they entail—helps us to work effectively with multiple generations, catering to each person's priorities and needs. We invite you to learn more about our team, our family and the ways we can help your own family members pursue their goals more effectively.

Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list. Opinions provided by SHOOK* Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerance vary). SHOOK's rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client's experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor and not an endorsement of the advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the rankings study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

Financial advisors sometimes underscore their years of service. We're all for experience; we have decades ourselves. But we believe in something more: wisdom. Experience means we lived through it. Wisdom means we learned from it. We believe in applying the collective wisdom of our team to help clients discern, understand and address the financial issues that impact their lives.

We are keenly attuned to helping clients avoid pitfalls. Clients look to us for timely information on changing economic environments, investment opportunities, legal and policy updates, and tax implications. We relish our roles as guides, mentors and sounding boards. We believe that a lack of communication sabotages relationships. Sometimes our role is simply to ask the right questions. This we believe leads to better outcomes. Throughout our relationships, we treat our client family with the respect and courtesy they deserve, speaking to them—not down to them.

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. Whether you're planning your retirement, saving to buy a home or funding a child's education, the process begins by getting to know you and how you feel about the following:

• 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

Success will be measured by the amount of progress you are making toward reaching your goals, making thoughtfully considered adjustments as events and conditions warrant.

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.

We believe that your investments should be a reflection of you — your life, your priorities, your goals. As your dedicated advisor We will get to know what matters most to you and help you define your goals. We use this understanding to help you build a customized financial strategy and offer consistent, personalized advice. Combined with professional management, you can stay on the right path towards pursuing your long-term objectives.

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. Calculating how to manage 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? It all starts with a plan intended to help you manage, grow, and preserve your wealth today, while also considering the impact it can have for years to come. With access to the investment insights of Merrill and banking solutions from Bank of America, We will work with you to develop an approach designed to help address your financial needs.

Merrill's process is designed to help deliver a customized, comprehensive experience to assist you not only in wealth accumulation and preservation, but in areas that go beyond investments. Providing you with access to the investment insights of Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank, and the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America offers a way to help you manage all of the pieces of your financial life. Working one-on-one with a Merrill advisor means you have a single point of contact to help you with potential strategies for transferring wealth to the younger generation.

We are fortunate to work with an accomplished clientele. Many are senior executives, current or retired business owners, or their family members. Within those relatively broad categories, each client's investor DNA is different. We are ever mindful of those differences: the issues that concern clients; the aspirations that inspire them. Communication is the core of our connection; we welcome the opportunity to speak and meet with clients as often as possible, both formally and informally.

Wealth management is more than good relationships. We are committed to creating value for clients – tackling difficult questions, unwinding complex circumstances, anticipating issues and avoiding potential inefficiencies. They look to us to help them make the best decisions they can, using analysis and tools to capitalize on a wide range opportunities. Our service model unifies the results, helping clients stay up-to-date with our course of action.

Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life

The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.

Helping you create a personalized plan

At Merrill, we go beyond the traditional role of an advisor.

• Your goals, concerns and attitude about investing are the foundation of your plan.
• We actively listen and provide personalized advice — ensuring we understand what matters most to you and your family.
• We're committed to creating a personalized plan that evolves with you to help you live well today while preparing for the future.

Giving you access to our teams and solutions

Your advisor is one part of an experienced team dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Acting as your single point of contact, your advisor provides personalized strategies and connects you with:

• Bank of America specialists, such as mortgage or trust professionals
• Timely insights from BofA Global Research1 to help you stay informed and navigate ever-changing markets
• A full suite of Merrill investing and Bank of America banking solutions

¹_{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 Corp.").}