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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.

William C Benassi

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2024
Published on January 12, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

Melissa D Harbold

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2024
Published on January 12, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

Avery B Saxe

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2024
Published on January 12, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

Meet the 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.

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

Welcome

The Benassi Harbold Saxe Group is a wealth management team dedicated to providing select families with a road map to reach their financial destinations. Just as your car’s GPS plots a course for a trip, we provide that for client’s financial picture; whatever it may be, retirement planning strategies, retirement income planning strategies, education planning strategies, charitable giving or passing on assets. We utilize all of the client’s relevant data to craft a strategy in order to help them across the financial finish line. Along the way we quantify our client’s progress and results, then assign a probability of success using the state of the art tool, Wealth Outlook from Merrill.

The clientele of the Benassi Harbold Saxe group have service needs that are often beyond routine. With Joy Brisson directing all of the operational daily service needs, Will, Melissa and Avery devote their time to working with clients on their progress towards the financial finish line. Often this even includes assisting with less traditional, but extremely important issues such as home financing, lending advice, cash management and access to banking services though Bank of America, N.A.. We will also facilitate and coordinate the interaction between clients and other advisors, such as tax and estate attorneys, accountants, and insurance professionals.

We do however ask for is one thing in return. We request that whenever a client has a question related to anything financial, ranging from a major purchase, a financial calculation, or perhaps an insurance question; that they call us first. We want to be our client’s primary financial advisor.

The Benassi Harbold Saxe group has clients in most every region of the US. We often travel to conduct client meetings. In addition to regularly scheduled reviews or as markets or clients’ situations change, we are accessible for impromptu phone or email conversations, or by appointment.

Investment Process- Determining the Financial Finish Line

We follow a dynamic, structured five step process.

1. Establishing Objectives: The first phase of a relationship with the Benassi Harbold Saxe Group always begins with an extensive discovery process. This is where we learn about a client’s financial and personal situation, including desires, concerns, risk tolerance, tax situation, income needs, style and preferences. With this information we work together to establish a client’s financial objectives and goals.

2. Setting Strategy: After we have collaborated to establish a client’s financial goals and objectives, we use Merrill Wealth Outlook, our financial GPS, to create the road map that will help clients assess their personal financial finish line.

3. Implementing Recommendations: Once we have created the roadmap to the financial finish line, we, select the investment vehicles that will pilot the client along their route. Not only will we diversify assets among stocks, bonds and cash, but within stocks, bonds and cash and also across time.

4. Review Progress: Once we have implemented a client’s custom roadmap, we will insist on having regular meetings, whether determined by the calendar, market movement, or a change in a client’s circumstances. At each meeting we will review progress and quantify a client’s position along their path by using Merrill’s Client Review Center and Wealth Outlook reports. During each meeting and call the team is highly trained at documenting any change in the client’s situation, no matter how small, so that the financial GPS has the most accurate and up-to-date assumptions and data.

5. Repeat

Philosophy

It’s important to plan for your financial future, which means getting more than investment advice. You may find value in a one-on-one relationship with someone dedicated to knowing who you are and what you want to accomplish. Someone who knows your children’s names, how hard you worked to get where you are and how you view investing. Our commitment is centered on helping you achieve your goals by making your needs a priority. Our advice and financial planning approach are guided by what’s important to you.

Capabilities

In 1914, Charles Merrill said, “The interests of our customers must come first.” That’s a commitment that we still honor today. Charles Merrill would be gratified to see how the business he founded continues to place a premium on service and commitment. With the investment insights of Merrill, and with access to the credit and lending capabilities of Bank of America, services are available that can help you address virtually every financial challenge you face.

Focus On Retirement Planning

Over the last few decades, life expectancy has risen dramatically. Today’s retirees are not only living longer, they are living healthier longer. So a question to be answered is “What do you do with those extra years and how will you pay for them?”

No matter how much income you may have, putting a retirement strategy in place could be the most important thing—the first thing—you can do as you work with the team on your overall financial strategy. The team can help you determine your lifetime cash flow requirements, you can then focus on the other pieces of your financial life, including legacy and family needs, volunteering for charitable work, leisure time activities, acquisition of collectibles, and building a second home. Let’s talk about customizing and implementing a strategy to help you achieve a comfortable retirement.

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.

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

      Helping you reach your goals starts with getting to know you personally. Through understanding what matters most to you, together we can help you create a financial approach that reflects your personality. Only then can we offer an approach that is built around your life priorities and the advice you need to help you address fluctuations in the market and changes in your life. Let’s work together to help you achieve 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.


      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.