The Piatas Group

Serving a select circle of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, The Piatas Group is dedicated to delivering a "bespoke personalized boutique-like" client experience. Through the use of objective and practical advice, the Team customizes all facets of wealth management: portfolio construction, tax minimization, credit-lending through Bank of America, N.A. and intergenerational wealth transfer strategies. After evaluating a range of client criteria from financial and behavioral perspectives, integrated approaches are tailored "from the ground up" to address clients' personal situations and aspirations.

On behalf of affluent business owners, corporate-suite executives, retirees and their grown children nationally, The Piatas Group's exceptional measure of personal attention and responsiveness, allows for a genuine understanding and the timely coordination of key resources.

For business owners' personal and enterprise needs, the team can assist with cash management and treasury solutions, succession strategies, sales to strategic and financial sponsors, 401(k) plans and more. "I admire and look up to business owners. They have the courage to take business risks and the confidence to pursue a passion, facing headwinds at every turn. They deserve a best-in-class team that offers a trusted hand – which is our role," explains Richard Piatas.

The Piatas Group works closely, too, with highly-compensated corporate executives whose stock options, concentrated stock positions and other matters require guidance and adherence to changing regulations. "Concentrated equity positions create wealth, however, diversification can keep you wealthy," says Richard. "Often we employ a hedging or pay-forward strategy, to optimize tax and other benefits."

To assist clients moving toward wealth preservation and decumulation/transfer stages, Richard collaborates with clients to help determine their desired outcomes: financial independence, income, retirement, interfamily wealth transfer and/or philanthropy. Stochastic modelling is used to determine the likelihood of the client achieving the desired outcome.

"Clients have complex and diverse needs. We're ready with actionable strategies and a commitment to compassionate outstanding service," Richard adds. "From wiring funds overseas, to helping allocate funds for a grandchild's education, our high-touch approach is designed to help us diversify, manage, grow and preserve their wealth."

We 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, We will work with you to develop an approach designed to help address your financial needs.

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, we 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.

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.

We 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.

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.

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.

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

¹_{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 Corp.").}