Tune out the noise: Wealth planning for the year ahead

Hear from a panel of experts as they explore how rising interest rates, high inflation and increased volatility are impacting the economy, how family dynamics are changing estate planning and hear some actionable strategies for investors to consider in 2023.

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Profile

Maro’s longevity in the industry has taught him the value of process, discipline and client care. Having managed clients’ money and emotion amid the volatility of 2000, 2008 and 2020, Maro feels proud that virtually all of those clients remain with him today. He believes that’s due in large part to his ability to provide enlightened retirement income planning, wealth transfer strategies, and tax-efficient investment guidance.

A highly credentialed lifetime learner, Maro Paz holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® certification from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, CPFA designation, awarded by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA).

On behalf of multiple generations of families in Oregon and more than ten other states, Maro has honed a hands-on, planning-based approach that has resulted in friendly and familial relationships. In addition to his financial skills, Maro’s ability to focus attentively on clients when their lives are in motion can be especially beneficial. He offers an extra measure of insight and consideration serving special needs families and clients caring for elderly parents.

In each relationship, Maro considers the broad canvas of a client’s life. Despite their wealth, some wrestle with the right balance – for enjoying it now, saving for retirement, funding a child’s education, creating a family legacy, or supporting a worthy cause. As a goals-based financial advisor, Maro helps clients explore their objectives – rather than focus on beating a benchmark. Often he asks, “What’s your primary concern, financial or otherwise? What does a rewarding retirement look like? What do you want to accomplish that you don’t think is possible? And what role would you like me to play?”

With a solid understanding of what each client would like to accomplish, Maro examines both sides of their balance sheets – assets and liabilities. Doing so allows him to find aspects of their financial pictures that should be addressed – the first step in helping achieve their objectives.

When it comes to investments, Maro formulates diversified client portfolios that may include individual equities, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds. Looking for a rate of return needed to satisfy each client’s goals – not a market-based model – Maro relies on the firm’s Chief Investment Office for its award-winning equity research and Merrill’s planning tools.

He also crafts tax-minimization and estate-planning strategies – often in concert with clients’ CPAs and attorneys or professionals that he can recommend. In addition, he offers clients ready access to residential, securities-based and aviation lending through Bank of America, N.A.

An Oregon native, Maro became fascinated with investments at a young age – later trading stocks and options while an undergrad in college. Maro holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Oregon (and a minor in Spanish), as well as Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning from The College for Financial Planning.

Maro also holds a place in his heart for skiing. In fact, he skied competitively on the Warsteiner Pro Mogul Tour in the mid-1990. Today, he is still active on the slopes with his wife, Kari Myhre-Paz, and their three children. He has also run the NYC Marathon with Kari and has cycled across the country with his family. On his own, Maro enjoys mountain and road biking, running and playing golf. He financially supports several local charities and has volunteered as a reviewer for the United Way’s local bi-annual funding requests.


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* Institutional Investor magazine announced BofA Global Research as one of the Top Global Research Firms (https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1wd0s3lfckz51/JPMorgan-Is-the-World-s-No-1- ) in 2021 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 (https://www.sipc.org/), and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Learn more about the methodology at Institutional Investor (https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/research/11569/Methodology). 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.

 
*Any information presented in connection with BofA Global Research is general in nature and is not intended to provide personal investment advice. The information does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person who may receive it. Investors should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. 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. BofA Global Research does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision.
*The Chief Investment Office (CIO) provides thought leadership on wealth management, investment strategy and global markets; portfolio management solutions; due diligence; and solutions oversight and data analytics. CIO viewpoints are developed for Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., (“Bank of America”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S” or “Merrill”), a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation

  • EDUCATION

    College for Financial Planning

    University of Oregon

Professional Staff

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, my 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.

Gabi Bryan

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

Jacob R. Olsen

Senior Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #432347

Where do we begin? It starts with you.

At Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, your financial advisor focuses on the things you care about most- family, goals and priorities - even as they change over the years.

Understanding Your Life

Welcome

My mission is to understand you and what matters most to you. To take the time, to ask hard, smart questions and to listen carefully, then to understand, in great detail, exactly where your wealth stands today, and where you’d like it to be tomorrow. I help you design and implement a customized wealth management approach that helps you and your family pursue your personal financial goals while helping manage investment risk. My wealth management approach is about using wealth to 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. Worried about managing 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? With access to the investment insights of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America, I will work with you to develop an approach designed to help address your financial needs.

Approach

I begin every relationship 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.

Drawing upon research in the field of behavioral finance, Merrill developed the Investment Personality Assessment to help me get to know you better as an investor and help you refine your investing preferences. Together, I can help customize your investment approach. Using an understanding of your priorities and investment personality as a foundation, I help you access the full breadth of resources from Bank of America’s banking products and services and Merrill’s investment insights to address all aspects of your financial life.

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

My process is designed to help deliver a customized, consistent experience to assist clients not only in wealth accumulation and preservation, but in areas that go beyond investments. My ability to provide access to the investment insights of Merrill, trust and fiduciary services from Bank of America Private Bank, and the banking convenience and lending solutions of Bank of America offers a way to help clients manage all of the pieces of their financial lives. I view myself as a financial resource, helping clients with potential solutions for transferring wealth to the younger generation.

Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”).

Focus On Individuals, Families and Small Businesses

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. So whether you’re planning your retirement, saving to buy a home or fund a child’s education, I start by getting to know you and how you feel about the following seven life priorities.

  • 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

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.

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.

    #DigitalMerrill

    MyMerrill is your online destination for access to your financial information, secure communications, and a robust offering of tools and capabilities.

    Your advisor is a click away within our site or mobile apps

    You can manage account security with our customizable security capabilities such as touch ID, one time passcode, and other security features

    Access to your complete financial life is available with My Financial Picture, Merrill’s asset aggregation tool

      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 I can help you create a financial approach that reflects your personality. Only then can I 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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      We put you first, every day.
      Learn more about the dedicated one-on-one relationship you can have with a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor.

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      Transcript of Video 

      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.

      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.