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Merrill lynch

Happ Adam Darah Group

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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management


Our goal is to help provide clients with financial well-being, allowing them to simplify and pursue “the rest of their lives”.  That may include their business, career, family, or the passions of their life.  Through serving the wealth management needs of a select group of families and closely held businesses, we dedicate ourselves to education, responsibility, and integrity in order to provide the quality of service and performance our clients need and deserve.

Welcome

At The Happ Adam Darah Group, we take great pride in the generations of families we serve and our ability to bring them ongoing value. Given our history, it’s natural for us to view financial matters from a family perspective. In fact, we think of clients as “households” because that better reflects our approach.

To provide the depth and breadth of “family wealth” planning for each client, we strive to understand the situations and ambitions of all stakeholders. We may ask, “What do you want for your adult children and their kids? How have your parents’ values affected your outlook on spending and saving? Is there someone in your family who needs special consideration?”

OUR MULTI-GENERATIONAL FOCUS

Having worked so closely and for so long with clients, we’ve become their primary financial resource and act as sounding boards and confidants on a wide variety of topics. In addition to frequent discussions, we believe in educating clients – helping them understand a particular strategy, and what they own and why.

Measuring many of our client relationships in decades (not years), we’ve formed many friendships with clients and member of their families. At the foundation of those relationships is the insight and input we work exhaustively to gather. In serving families, we devote our efforts to helping ensure the continuity of thought and attentiveness that we believe client families deserve.

Having managed clients’ money and emotion amid the volatility of 1987, 2000, 2008, 2020 and 2022, we are proud that virtually all of those clients remain with us today. We believe that’s due in large part to our enlightened perspective on mitigating investment risk and helping clients prosper from new opportunities as they present themselves.

We feel good knowing that clients have built their livelihoods alongside ours and become our good friends. These strong connections inspire our best efforts.

Our team prides itself on the value we provide to clients. Taking many forms, that value reflects our ability to provide an extra measure of sophistication and service. Of course, addressing the financial demands and personal dynamics of entire families is never easy. But we believe the significant expenditure of time and effort is well worth the positive outcomes we’ve watched families enjoy. 

PLANNING IS EVERYTHING

At The Happ Adam Darah Group, we begin each client relationship with a desire to understand where they see themselves, where they want to go, and what they believe stands in their way.

We especially need to know about clients, as people. Perhaps their lives demand a distinct form of financial advice and attention (following a promotion, retirement, job loss, or a personal matter). Other times, they’ve simply reached a point where they lack the time or desire to manage their wealth alone.

To learn, we ask questions of clients – and listen to what they say (and may not say). “What are your dreams for yourself and your legacy? If you could spend more time doing three things today, what would they be? Let’s plan for that. What do you envision for retirement? What is the one thing that has you most worried?”

Many clients aren’t sure they’ll have enough money to enjoy a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. Others want to prepare their children for the responsibilities of managing wealth. Rather than make assumptions, we make time for friendly conversations at clients’ kitchen tables, offices, or our conference table.

From multiple discussions, we can appreciate a client’s perspective on the importance of money, and what role we should play. Understanding each client’s priorities and values is an ongoing pursuit. By digging deeper and talking often, we can craft fully customized financial strategies designed to achieve meaningful, real-world outcomes. We also help clients prepare for likely and unlikely circumstances. There are no shortcuts to what we do.

Put simply, our efforts can be only as successful as the clarity and depth of clients’ answers. That’s why our planning process is exhaustive and continues over time. The referrals we receive tell us we’re proficient in assisting clients whose financial needs are more common as well as those who complex financial lives demand a more nuanced, hands-on approach.

In addition to clients’ goals, we look for holes in their financial picture that may have been ignored previously – assets in multiple places, liabilities, and protective components that can help insulate client wealth (including long-term care, disability and other forms of insurance).

We also find that building strategic relationships with clients’ other advisors can help create solid blueprints for a superior wealth management experience. That’s why we look to align our tax-minimization and estate-planning strategies with clients’ CPAs and attorneys. At a minimum, we review clients’ wills and trust documents, and also try to send quarterly reports to their accountants at year-end.

Given our decades of experience, we rarely see situations we haven’t encountered. As seasoned and sensitive advisors, we strive to help clients make thoughtful, unhurried decisions and feel comfortable with the road ahead. In everything we do, we are dedicated to increasing the probability of a client’s financial success and emotional wellbeing.

WHAT CLIENTS CAN EXPECT

At The Happ Adam Darah Group, we have spent four decades helping clients preserve and grow the assets they’ve worked hard to accumulate. The quality and longevity of these relationships remind us of the roles we play and the trust we’ve earned.

As our client, you can expect that we will:

  • Abide by our own set of principles and guidelines: Only promise what we can deliver. Communicate clearly and help you avoid navigating by emotion. Be transparent. Admit our mistakes. Address your less obvious concerns, not just your questions.
  • Encourage you to call us for any financial matter. Responding in timely fashion, we are proud to be resourceful and reliable – prepared to streamline your efforts and handle details on your behalf. Regardless of what drives you, we are driven to be your “first and only call” when any issue arises.
  • Strive to earn your trust. We want you to feel comfortable – financially and emotionally. That’s why our strategies are presented and communicated in an uncomplicated manner.
  • Do our best work when your needs grow in complexity. Putting our heads and hearts together, we enjoy meeting challenges, resolving problems and helping you focus on the people and passions in your life. The more you ask us to do, the more value we can deliver.
  • Examine areas of your financial picture that may have been ignored previously – ways to utilize debt wisely, achieve greater tax efficiencies, or improve cash flow. We will also examine the possible need for life or long-term-care insurance.
  • Try to align our efforts with those of your CPA and attorney. For example, you estate should be structured to avoid – where possible – unnecessary expenses, risks, taxes and legal burdens.
  • Explain what actual outcomes look like, in simple terms. Going beyond spreadsheets and simulations, we will illustrate alternate, real-world scenarios and discuss them with you. We are here to act as a responsible steward of your wealth and wishes, not show how much we know.
  • Talk to you about Social Security scenarios (if applicable), the rising costs of health care, cash flow, as well as legacy planning.
  • Follow direction from our firm’s Chief Investment Office and utilize our analysts’ award-winning research* and carefully-vetted investment managers. As long-term investors, we do not try to hit “home runs” with speculative opportunities. Your portfolio may include equities, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, annuities and alternative investments*.
  • Formulate your portfolio for you and you alone – based on several factors including your investment timeline, need for liquidity, comfort with risk, tax situation and personal goals.
  • Provide you with ready access to Bank of America for the purchase of a home, securities-based lending, and cash management solutions.

 

We recognize that you can choose from among many advisory groups. We also recognize that our own diligence and performance can help you focus more squarely on your family and interests. We have families, too. Our job – our oath, in fact – is to do everything possible to help you enjoy the people and passions in your life.




*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 investment objectives will be achieved.

*Institutional Investor magazine announced BofA Global Research as one of the Top Global Research Firms in 2022 based on surveys held throughout the year. The magazine creates rankings of the top research analysts in a wide variety of specializations, drawn from the choices of portfolio managers and other investment professionals at more than 1,000 firms. BofA 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. Learn more about the methodology at Institutional Investor. Rankings and recognition from Institutional Investor are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement.

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.

James C Happ

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

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Published annually Jan- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Sandra M Adam

Forbes "Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” 2022, 2023, 2024
Published annually in February. Rankings based on data as of Sept 30 of prior year.

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

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Published annually Jan- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Forbes "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors" 2020 and 2021
Published annually Feb- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 - September 30 of prior year.

Matthew Darah

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

Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" 2023
Published on August 8, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" 2022
Published on August 3, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.

Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" 2019
Published on July 24, 2019. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2019.

Meet Our Group

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, our group 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.

Amy Kammann

Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #563227

Jeremy Floberg

Wealth Strategies Advisor

Bank of America, N.A.

MaLynnda Johnson

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

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.

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      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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      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.