Profile

Christopher Lebano takes a holistic, hands-on approach to wealth management – one that reflects the diverse needs of a loyal clientele residing across the country.

“I know that enhancing both sides of clients’ balance sheets is critical to optimizing overall wealth. Before investments are considered, I examine liabilities including loans and credit cards, trust documents, tax returns, and more,” explains Christopher Lebano. “Superior wealth management takes many forms.”

Among those served by him are active and retired business owners (and their 401k plans), attorneys, physicians, clients with concentrated stock, and multiple generations of client families.

While clients are at different life stages, Christopher focuses on preparing them for key transitions – retirement, the sale of a business or home, illness, and the loss of a loved one. “I engage with spouses, grown children and especially, with clients’ attorneys and accountants to help align our tax minimization and estate planning strategies,” Christopher points out.

When it comes to investments, Christopher takes a risk-averse approach to match – but not exceed – the risk needed for each client to attain their most cherished goals. After creating a client’s risk profile, customized portfolios are formulated based on research from Merrill and other firms. Cost-conscious in its process, the team often favors individual stocks and bonds over mutual funds, and ETFs for cost and tax efficiencies. Global diversification is also a prime consideration.

“For most clients, generating retirement income is ‘the gorilla in the room’ – even if they’re still working. Using selected money managers, individual bonds, ETFs and other asset classes, we develop fixed income portfolios to complement clients’ other investments. We’re also proud to educate and be fully transparent. Clients can be comfortable, when they know what they own and the risks involved,” Christopher says.

“I am always looking for ways to help clients ‘save here and benefit there’ – from answering a ‘leasing vs. buying’ question to helping them refinance and ‘free up’ money for college savings. By talking to clients frequently and encouraging them to call when making a financial decision, I can stay on top of their changing circumstances and identify opportunities.”

Christopher is a qualified Senior Portfolio Advisor who can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis custom investment strategies, selecting from a wide range of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios and third-party investment strategies

“Often I visit clients in their homes – not just for their convenience – but to see them in the context of their everyday lives. Through meaningful conversations, I come to appreciate their concerns and aspirations. The more I know about people, the more I can help.”

Christopher has been a Merrill financial advisor since 2015 and is celebrating his fifth year in the industry – having launched his career at another leading financial institution. Christopher works closely with clients on developing customized strategies for investments and retirement income planning – with an eye toward managing risk and minimizing tax consequences.
 
A Brooklyn, New York native, he is a graduate of the University of Rochester with a Bachelor's in Economics. During his time there, Christopher was a member of the University of Rochester football team, where he earned the title of team captain. He also participated in the ROTC program. He currently lives in Clarksville, Maryland.


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I follow the deep-seated Merrill tradition of participating in the communities we serve. This drives my interest in spending time volunteering with organizations in our community.