Philosophy

The Somers Gibson Group serves individuals and families of all ages who have worked hard and sacrificed to accumulate wealth, often without consulting a financial advisor. Our advisors, Joe, Hylton, Skye and Stephan, welcome your questions about the value of a personalized financial approach and how it can help guide you through different stages in your life.

We believe your life and your finances are closely intertwined. As one grows more complex so can the other. The Somers Gibson Group believes there is no time like the present to seek our advice and guidance. Our capabilities are expansive and our team can leverage the latest technologies Merrill has to offer to help you follow your financial strategy.

Much like a marriage, we believe that each new relationship can thrive when nurtured and strengthened by open and candid communications. Along with our commitment to personalized attention, The Somers Gibson Group believes this approach can help build a more complete relationship with you.

Our Process

The wealth planning process offered by the Somers Gibson Group is designed to help make how you work with us predictable and less stressful. At the core of this process are highly interactive conversations that Skye, Stephan, Hylton and Joe facilitate with you. They begin at the end to help you focus on what’s important in your life. For example, do you want to pursue the flexibility to live the retirement lifestyle you envision? Is one of your objectives to have your children graduate college debt free? Or, perhaps you’re focused on tax-minimization strategies to help make more of your wealth available to assist future generations with their goals?

Our dedication to the discovery process may lead to a more personalized discussion with you about:

• The scope of services The Somers Gibson Group can offer
• How you want us to communicate with you and how often
• Your need for privacy and transparency
• How you perceive risk

Capabilities

The Somers Gibson Group offers a broad, holistic approach to wealth management and a suite of services designed to help you manage all of the pieces of your financial life. We can assemble for you the expansive tools, technology and insights of Merrill and also offer access to the banking convenience and lending solutions of Bank of America.

One of our major advantages is being able to provide you with access to a Wealth Management Lending Officer from Bank of America, N.A., who can review and help you with your home lending needs. For your customized investment approach, Joe and his team of advisors focus on third-party managers and can draw from their experience, the best thinking of Merrill and the investment insights from our Chief Investment Office for manager selection and ongoing investment due diligence.

For business owners, we can assist with company benefit plans to help attract and retain employees. For clients nearing retirement we offer a range of capabilities, including retirement income planning and wealth transfer strategies from Merrill and access to estate planning services and philanthropic solutions through Bank of America Private Bank.

High Touch Communications

Our commitment to communication goes well beyond what your statement says. Open and direct communications help us understand your needs at a deep level. We listen carefully and can help talk you through financial opportunities and challenges that may come your way. During times of volatility, we strive to speak with you just as often and as frankly as when markets are rising. Our team members, Glenn, Jackson, Michelle and Austin, strive to use as many means as possible to share with you the views of The Somers Gibson Group and Merrill, including digital tools that can help illustrate how a diversified portfolio is designed with your sensitivity to risk in mind.

*Wealth Management Lending Officers do not offer investment advice, nor make recommendations on investment products.

*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 BofA Corp. This information should not be construed as investment advice and is subject to change. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be either a specific offer by Bank of America, Merrill or any affiliate to sell or provide, or a specific invitation for a consumer to apply for, any particular retail financial product or service that may be available.

*Institutional Investments & Philanthropic Solutions (“II&PS”) is part of Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Your Financial Approach

The Somers Gibson Group can help you organize and structure your financial approach to help pursue multiple goals simultaneously. These may include strategies for:

• Pre-retirees seeking structure for their retirement, with a focus on income production to maintain their lifestyle
• Millennials seeking to put their wealth on a trajectory to build career and family flexibility
• Business owners planning for succession or a sale
• Families looking to leave a lasting legacy