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The Heim Group
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In the spirit of helping successful clients address their most cherished goals and heartfelt concerns, we apply our distinct financial experiences and uncommon level of personal care.
The Heim Group
Welcome
At The Heim Group, we believe that most investors don’t expect enough from their financial advisors. Certainly, investment prowess is important. But ambitious women and men with complex needs deserve much more.
Having earned our stripes in the worlds of accounting and institutional investing, we bring specialized knowledge and enlightened perspectives to each client relationship. Equally important, we are passionate about doing everything possible to drive positive financial outcomes. In fact, we have long subscribed to the notion that “going the extra mile for clients is never going out of our way.”
Amid the unprecedented financial and emotional uncertainty of 2020, our commitment is being put to the test. During this challenging time, we continue to serve as trusted "financial and life advisors" to an accomplished, well-educated clientele in New Jersey and more than 15 other states. Holding clients in high esteem — and holding their hands when questions arise — we deliver the type of financial acumen and attention they may not have experienced in a previous advisory relationship. We think it is noteworthy that our clients introduced us to more individuals in the first half of 2020 than at any time in the past.
Amid the unprecedented financial and emotional uncertainty of 2020, our commitment is being put to the test. During this challenging time, we continue to serve as trusted "financial and life advisors" to an accomplished, well-educated clientele in New Jersey and more than 15 other states. Holding clients in high esteem — and holding their hands when questions arise — we deliver the type of financial acumen and attention they may not have experienced in a previous advisory relationship. We think it is noteworthy that our clients introduced us to more individuals in the first half of 2020 than at any time in the past.
Who do we serve? Successful women and men including senior-level technology and pharmaceutical executives (many with restricted stock and option benefits), business owners, active and retired physicians and attorneys, as well as family offices, foundations, widows, widowers and generations of families.
By treating clients like family, we find it fulfilling to bring comfort and confidence to clients. Through comprehensive planning that continues over time, we stay in touch and on top of each client’s circumstances. Doing so allows us to help clients “see around corners” at likely and unlikely circumstances for which our strategies help them prepare.
If you are seeking a sophisticated, high-caliber level of financial advice, we look forward to showing you that managing the opportunities and challenges of wealth can be a rewarding experience.
Caring for Clients
At The Heim Group, we see clients not only as successful individuals, but as busy parents hoping to provide for their children, as new retirees about to embark on a new lifestyle, as senior executives looking to optimize concentrated positions, as widows re-defining their goals, and as grandparents concerned about passing along wealth and wisdom.
Our mission is guided by the acronym "IHAD" which stands for Integrity, Humor, Advocacy and Dependability. These four words remind us that delivering superior wealth management demands our ability to treat each client as a person, not as a portfolio.
Each day, we do big and little things for clients -- some expected and some not. By recognizing the people and passions in a client's life, we can help with financial decisions that require multiple considerations.
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For corporate executives and business owners — often with personal assets/linked too closely to the fortunes of their firms — our team is well equipped to help strike a balance in building and preserving their wealth. For example, we have extensive knowledge of concentrated stock and the emotions that may come with it. In addition to helping clients comply with SEC rules, their company’s trading restrictions, and equity reporting requirements, we help entrepreneurs with pre-IPO planning.
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We proactively “recognize and recommend” when opportunities present themselves. In addition to actively managing a client’s portfolio, we look at their investments held elsewhere — to help avoid overlap. We also may suggest refinancing existing debt, reviewing insurance protection and estate-related documents, or introducing alternative investments where appropriate.
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When clients feel a loss of control at times of personal hardship, we bring them open hearts and minds. In fact, we often share our own experiences to “accompany clients” in moving forward. Some clients need to better understand the tax ramifications of an inheritance, selling a concentrated position, or purchasing a second home. We recognize the impact we can and do make on the lives of clients. If a client is struggling with a challenge that we can solve, we will take the necessary steps to help.
In addition to our team’s nuanced insights, we allow clients to benefit from others we’ve assisted in similar positions. We feel fortunate to have long memories and relationships. Speaking for our entire staff, we are as proud of the referrals we receive as the results we deliver.
Planning is Everything
At The Heim Group, we find that wisdom is our reward for a lifetime of listening, rather than talking. In fact, as seasoned and sensitive advisors, we are often surprised by the expectations of new clients. Most have only an inkling of the care and capabilities we bring to the table.
As a prime example, we have anticipated questions and proactively addressed the implications of the CARES Act and the SECURE Act as they pertain to each client's situation. Amid this new landscape, we "threw away our calendars" and contacted clients without hesitation, for one-on-one discussions. Working with both spouses whenever possible, we continue to help them explore and in some cases, reimagine their visions of the future.
Many new clients believe our investment skills are a key differentiator of our offering. Certainly, we are proud of how well we manage risk and opportunity in client portfolios. After all, we have decades of specialized experience as institutional investors. However, a hallmark of our approach is the comprehensive planning process we’ve honed for many years.
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We ask questions, “What brought you here and who was most influential in the decision? What’s your experience with investing? Who are you responsible for — an elderly parent, a grandchild, your employees? What's your biggest financial concern?” Helping clients articulate their definitions of a fulfilling life helps us work more effectively with them.
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As active facilitators, we “sit next to clients,” not across from them. Put another way, we look at matters from each client’s perspective rather than our own. This reminds us to focus on results that hold meaning for clients and minimize their effort in achieving them.
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We serve as a resource for our highly educated, time-strapped clientele. With little time to stay updated on concentrated stock positions, education funding or market dynamics, most clients prefer talking about their families and hobbies. By listening, we learn. Later, we work behind the scenes to address their goals and pieces of their financial puzzles that may have been ignored previously.
Whether a client is expanding an enterprise, moving up in his or her company, or retiring and moving out of town, we help them visualize their full financial picture — from investments and insurance, to liabilities and beneficiaries. From there, a multi-pronged strategy evolves that embraces a client’s financial realities and personal preferences. Like the clients we serve, we are highly motivated. It is incumbent upon us to deliver tangible benefits and consistent value — beyond dollars and cents.
Focusing on Tax Efficiency
Given decades spent in the accounting sector, Christine Heim and The Heim Group pay special attention to optimizing and maintaining tax efficiencies on behalf of each client.
Rather than focus on tax consequences only once each year, we maintain a watchful eye on a client’s tax consequences — so that benefits can be enhanced on an ongoing basis. Additionally, we work closely with clients, their CPAs and attorneys throughout the year — to align our efforts, strategies and tactics.
When it comes to building a client’s portfolio, we may rely on institutional managers for tax-exempt investing. We also seek to harvest investment gains and losses when advantageous from a tax perspective. When serving clients with concentrated stock and 10b5-1 plans, we continuously examine their situations, so that appropriate and timely steps can be taken. With a deep understanding of a client’s long-term goals — for retirement, wealth transfer, business succession, and/or charitable giving — we exercise “tax-diligence” in several meaningful ways.
Of course, our efforts require an extra measure of time that many advisors do not expend. However, we believe that clients deserve our very best and extended efforts when positive results can be achieved.
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.
Christine F Heim
Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2023
Published on January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.*
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2018 - 2023
Published annually Jan- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.
Forbes "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors" 2017 - 2021 and 2023
Published annually Feb- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 - September 30 of prior year.
Forbes "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in State" 2022
Published on February 4, 2022. Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2021.
Meet Our 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.
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.
Natalie De La Calle
Alternative Investments Regional Specialist
Bank of America, N.A.
Tricia Kropp
Wealth Strategist
Merrill
Diana De Jesus
Wealth Management Banking Specialist
Merrill
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