Patricia Barksdale Headshot Image
Patricia Barksdale
,
Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
51 John F Kennedy Pkwy
Short Hills, NJ 07078
973.912.3027
Learn more about an advisor's background on
I measure my performance by how well clients can perform in their lives-given my ability to make them comfortable with the strategy I've developed on their behalf. 
Welcome

Patricia has spent the majority of her 40-year career at Merrill – serving ambitious individuals she describes as “fascinating and inspiring.” Many clients are well-known track-and-field athletes, directors, writers, Broadway actors and successful women in media and entertainment. Patricia also assists generations of extended families for whom her care, consideration and consistent attention are at the heart of each trusted relationship.

Rather than make assumptions about clients, Patricia makes time – to ask questions, as part of a thoughtful, planning-based approach that continues over time. “What’s important to you? Who are you responsible for? What are your fears – about investing and life? And what’s on your bucket list? Do you want to go back to school, take a course, travel the world, send your child to college or leave a legacy?”

Only after having meaningful dialogue does Patricia encourage “dollars and cents” discussions. She recognizes that clients are driven by life events they often cannot control.  For this reason, she helps clients plan and prepare for circumstances they anticipate and those they don’t. Providing emotional and personal guidance whenever possible, she feels the greatest reward helping clients address their life’s greatest challenges – the loss a loved one, illness, divorce, or a career change.

When it comes to investing, Patricia is equity-driven – given the long-term performance of the markets and the long-term philosophy she shares with clients. In building each client’s portfolio, she typically includes growth and income-oriented investments – and in some cases, alternative investments* she deems attractive, affordable and likely to offer reduced volatility. In all cases, her decisions are based on a client’s risk tolerance, investment timeline, liquidity needs, overall investment goals and other personal preferences.


While Patricia launched her “professional” career after college, she began her financial education at nine years old. At the time, her parents were members of an investment club and – attracted to the meetings for the peppermints and peanuts – she would listen and learn. One day, after asking her father the meanings of the up-and-down arrows on their newspaper’s investment page, she began to track stocks and she continued through her teen years until meeting a mentor who happened to be a client of Merrill Lynch client. As Patricia says, “The rest was history.”


A graduate of Kean University with dual degrees in Finance and Economics, Patricia also holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation through the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. She also completed the Merrill Financial Advisors Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.

Patricia is a member of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment, former board member for Kean University Foundation, where she was Chair of Board Development, former Kean University College of Business and Public Management advisory board member and currently serves on the New Jersey Theatre Alliance Board. She was named one of the 2007 Women of Influence in Finance, Honoree of the Women's History Celebration by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, recipient of the 2014 Kean University Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017 David Brady Award** recipient and 2018 Kean University Women of Achievement Honoree. An avid sports fan, Patricia enjoys going to the theater, playing golf, listening to music, and is a strong advocate for teaching financial education with various organizations.
 

*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 objectives will be achieved.

**Bank of America Corporation’s David Brady Community Service Award is named for David Brady, a Merrill financial advisor who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He was highly respected for putting the client first and giving back to his community. The award that bears his name was created in 2007 and seeks to honor individuals within Bank of America Corporation Global Wealth & Investment Management who continue to emulate David’s ethos.

Recognition
David Brady Award, 2017
Click here to learn more about advisor recognitions
About Me
Welcome

My mission, first and foremost, is to understand you and what matters most to you. Armed with that information I can ask thoughtful questions -- listening carefully, then understanding in detail where your wealth stands today and where you'd like it to be tomorrow. I help you design and implement a personalized plan intended to help you and your family pursue financial goals while helping manage investment risk. My approach is to focus on potential solutions that can help turn goals into reality.

About Me
Welcome

My mission, first and foremost, is to understand you and what matters most to you. Armed with that information I can ask thoughtful questions -- listening carefully, then understanding in detail where your wealth stands today and where you'd like it to be tomorrow. I help you design and implement a personalized plan intended to help you and your family pursue financial goals while helping manage investment risk. My approach is to focus on potential solutions that can help turn goals into reality.

Philosophy

I believe the best financial approach is the one that helps you pursue your goals. That's why, from the start, we talk about your aspirations and encourage you to ask questions about issues that matter most to you. Calculating how to manage future health care expenses? College on the horizon? Considering the sale of a business or purchase of a home? Preparing to pass your wealth to future generations? It all starts with a plan intended to help you manage, grow, and preserve your wealth today, while also considering the impact it can have for years to come. With access to the investment insights of Merrill and banking solutions from Bank of America, I will work with you to develop an approach designed to help address your financial needs.

Approach

Every relationship begins with a conversation, helping you identify and prioritize which goals matter most to you. Whether it's transferring wealth to the next generation, customizing your financial approach to help you pursue your passions, or providing advice and guidance to help you stay informed, I start by listening to learn more about you and your family.

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.

Capabilities

Merrill's process is designed to help deliver a customized, comprehensive experience to assist you not only in wealth accumulation and preservation, but in areas that go beyond investments. Providing you with access to the investment insights of Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank, and the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America offers a way to help you manage all of the pieces of your financial life. Working one-on-one with a Merrill advisor means you have a single point of contact to help you with potential strategies for transferring wealth to the younger generation.

Focus On

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. Whether you're planning your retirement, saving to buy a home or funding a child's education, the process begins by getting to know you and how you feel about the following:

  • 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

Success will be measured by the amount of progress you are making toward reaching your goals, making thoughtfully considered adjustments as events and conditions warrant.

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.

About Merrill

Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life

The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.

About Merrill
Fresh perspectives

Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life

The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.

Personalized planning

Helping you create a personalized plan

At Merrill, we go beyond the traditional role of an advisor.

  • Your goals, concerns and attitude about investing are the foundation of your plan.
  • We actively listen and provide personalized advice — ensuring we understand what matters most to you and your family.
  • We're committed to creating a personalized plan that evolves with you to help you live well today while preparing for the future.
Team and resources

Giving you access to our teams and solutions

Your advisor is one part of an experienced team dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Acting as your single point of contact, your advisor provides personalized strategies and connects you with:

  • Bank of America specialists, such as mortgage or trust professionals
  • Timely insights from BofA Global Research1 to help you stay informed and navigate ever-changing markets
  • A full suite of Merrill investing and Bank of America banking solutions

1BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS") and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp.").

Sign Up for Perspectives Monthly E-Newsletter
Get the latest investment insights, tips and strategies to help you live your best financial life
Sign Up
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, CRPC™, and the CRPC™ logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.
Patricia M Barksdale is registered to do business in AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, WV.