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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Michael O'Connell, CEPA, CPFA, CFP, C(k)P, CRPC

Senior Vice President
Wealth Management Advisor
Retirement Benefits Consultant
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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management

I focus on addressing the investing and fiduciary responsibilities of institutions as well as the wealth management needs of individuals and families. I work closely with clients to determine their needs so that we can craft customized financial strategies to help them pursue their goals.

Profile

My practice focuses on two distinct areas: Personal Wealth Management & Financial strategies for Business owners and High Net-Worth families as well as Advisory & Co-Fiduciary Management for Qualified Retirement Plans. In striving to provide the highest level of service to my clients in both of these matters, I have obtained the appropriate designations to highlight the value that I am able to deliver: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ PROFESSIONAL, CERTIFIED 401K(k) PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR and CERTIFIED EXIT PLANNING ADVISOR.

I truly appreciate the trust that my clients have placed in me, and I am committed to ensuring they receive the level of attention, responsiveness and knowledge required to help achieve their future goals & objectives.

Graduate of Villanova University and Loyola Blakefield.

As a designated Retirement Benefits Consultant, I have been selected as one of a distinct number of Merrill advisors to offer access to  3(21) Co-Fiduciary services for corporate 401(k) plans.

Selected to Financial Times Top 401 Retirement Plan Advisors list for 2015 and 2020.


MISSION STATEMENT:
My goal is build and preserve the assets of clients by offering a professional level of advisory services as well as providing exceptional customer service.


FOCUS SERVICES:
- Investment Management for Qualified & Non-Qualified Retirement Plans
- Wealth Management
- Retirement Strategies
- Asset Allocation Analysis
- Risk Management
- Cash Management
- Estate Planning Services
- Commercial Lending through Bank of America, N.A.
- Alternative Investments ($1.5 million minimum net worth).

*Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment’s investment objectives will be achieved.

*Source: Financial Times “401 Top Retirement Advisers” list, published annually May - Oct. Rankings based on data as of Dec 31 of prior year.

The Financial Times “401 Top Retirement Advisers” list is an independent listing produced annually by the Financial Times. The FT 401
is based on data gathered from advisers, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each adviser’s status in
six primary areas: DC plan assets under management, DC plan growth rate, specialization in DC plans, years of experience, advanced
industry credentials, and compliance record. This honor is not indicative of the adviser’s future performance. Rankings and recognition
from the Financial Times 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 of the adviser. Neither
the advisers nor their parent firms pay a fee to the Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 401. All rights reserved.

  • EDUCATION

    Loyola Blakefield

    Villanova University

Professional Staff

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, my 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.

Aileen T. Takio

Employee Benefits Specialist

Bank of America, N.A.

Christina Arnold

Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #652333

Where do we begin? It starts with you.

At Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, your financial advisor focuses on the things you care about most- family, goals and priorities - even as they change over the years.

Understanding Your Life

Approach

I believe an effective approach to wealth management requires working closely with you to help identify and define your goals.

My  job is to first understand what matters most to you. We will work together to create a financial approach that reflects your investment personality and is built around your life priorities.

My approach is to help you pursue your goals by providing customized service and potential investment solutions. Whether you are focused on building, preserving or transferring wealth we are committed to helping you address your financial objectives at every stage of your life.

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.

Philosophy

We live in a world that's constantly changing. Markets can fluctuate frequently. Potential investment opportunities can arise daily. Regulations are amended. That's why I believe that you and your situation are the best starting points from which to help plan your financial future: where you are today, where you want to be tomorrow, and what you want to accomplish along the way. Because by understanding you and your priorities, I can more effectively offer my experience and resources and help you build a financial framework that is rooted in the unique complexities of your life.

Welcome

Placing the investor at the center of the wealth management process—while maintaining a market focus — is my goal in helping clients through difficult financial transitions and decisions that occur in their lives. I start by getting to know you, your family and financial situation, helping me understand your risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, goals, priorities and unique financial concerns. From there, we’ll help you design a customized investment approach, drawing upon the investment insights of Merrill and access to the banking convenience of Bank of America. As your needs or market conditions change, we will meet to track and adjust your approach, as needed.

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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      Let’s Have a Conversation

      I believe it’s important that you seek the advice and guidance of an experienced financial advisor who can thoughtfully analyze your situation, work with you to identify potential solutions that address your needs, and clearly communicate them to you. I want to work with you to develop your wealth management approach for the future.

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      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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      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.