Krystal Julius is a Managing Director, a Wealth Management Advisor, and leader of the Eckerline Julius Wealth Management Group at Merrill. Krystal combines first-hand experience and in-depth knowledge with an innate passion for caring for others. Individuals, multiple generations of families, and organizations look to her for a differentiated level of advice and guidance firmly centered on what matters to them. Accustomed to bringing out the best in people, she leads her colleagues in a collective mission: to help people enjoy more secure, thoughtful, and cohesive financial lives through advice that resonates with people and their priorities. Her greatest fulfillment is listening to clients’ passions and bucket-list dreams and helping them translate those visions into reality.


Krystal has garnered national recognition as a Financial Advisor. Forbes distinguished her as one of “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors” in 2022* (Published on February 4, 2022. Rankings based on data as of Sept 30, 2021). Krystal believes this recognition reflects the caliber and commitment of her entire team, as well as the clients they are honored to serve.


When clients speak with Krystal, they know they are heard and understood. Empathetic by nature, she embraces client goals as her own, striving to do everything she can to advance measurable progress toward their aspirations. Her favorite part of her day occurs during client meetings and phone calls—she really enjoys walking with clients through their lives, cheering their accomplishments and supporting them in their challenges. She also looks to stay apprised of evolving client interests and needs, whether that’s reassessing an investor’s risk tolerance, discussing an entrepreneur’s new business interest, or learning about family milestones, such as the birth of a new baby or an engagement.


Krystal has spent her entire professional career at Merrill. She joined the firm in 2008. Prior to her current role, she served as a Wealth Management Banker with Bank of America, assisting Merrill Financial Advisors in developing banking and lending solutions.


Krystal earned her Bachelor’s degree in marketing management from the University of St. Thomas, where she played on the women’s soccer team. She continues to be involved with the Opus School of Business and has presented to alumni on wealth-management topics. She holds the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ CRPC™ designation, as well as her insurance license.


Dedicated to her community, Krystal served as a board member of Gigi’s Playhouse Twin Cities, which provides Down-syndrome achievement centers and programming. She is also a supporter of several local nonprofits and is committed to her church family. The mother of two active and curious boys, Krystal loves to spend time at the health club swimming with her sons, getting grimy with them in local wetlands, and encouraging their Marvel adventure and SpaceJam dreams.




*Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors” list, published on February 4, 2022. Rankings based on data as of Sept 30, 2021.

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes.com America’s Top Women Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research
and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a
ranking algorithm that includes: client impact, industry experience, review of best practices and compliance records, firm nominations;
and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a
criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and
rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or
representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research
receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is
a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

Mark Eckerline is a Senior Relationship Manager with the Eckerline Julius Wealth Management Group at Merrill. Mark draws on more than four decades of wealth management experience, providing clients with the knowledge and perspective he has gained from advising an accomplished clientele. A seasoned investor, he offers clients a long-term framework for navigating the capital markets, mindful of a client’s distinctive timeframe, risk tolerance, preferences, and objectives. His exposure to multiple market cycles and economic themes has infused his long-term outlook, cementing his belief in a disciplined approach to investing.

Mark’s versatility as an advisor stems from first-hand experience guiding clients through significant junctures in their financial lives, whether planning for retirement, selling a business, saving for college, diversifying a portfolio, or transferring wealth to the next generation. Consultative, he looks to provide clients with the information they need to make thoughtful and poised decisions about the direction of their finances. He is gratified to have a meaningful impact on clients, supporting them as they advance their goals for themselves and their loved ones.

Mark began his wealth management career in 1979 at Piper Jaffray, where he spent more than 25 years. He served as a Financial Advisor and in management, ultimately becoming a Senior Vice President and Branch Manager of the Wayzata Office. In 2006, Mark moved to Merrill, where he was named the Resident Director of the Wayzata Office. He took on successive leadership roles at the firm, including Market Executive of the Greater Minnesota Complex and Market Executive and Complex Director for the Twin Cities Market. In 2021, Mark returned to his roots, joining his brother, Peter Eckerline, at the Eckerline Wealth Management Group, where he provides advice and guidance to clients and their families about the direction and scope of their wealth. Mark earned his B.S. in Finance and Economics from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

Mark and his wife Lynn live in Plymouth and have three adult children, Katie, Kelsey, and Carter. A tight-knit family, they enjoy spending time at their cabin in Hayward, Wisconsin. In his free time, Mark enjoys skiing and tackling home-improvement projects.

Madeline joined Merrill in 2014, after earning a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is a dedicated problem solver, who is committed to building strong client relationships and providing exceptional customer service. Her responsibilities for the team include servicing client accounts, executing trades and addressing client concerns. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking and playing volleyball.