Women’s superpower: Investing

Watch our experts share ways to tap into your ability to build a more secure financial future.

Watch now

Merrill lynch

The Oster Group

Learn more about an advisor's background on
FINRA's BrokerCheck

Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management



Important video disclosures


The Oster Group believes great client relationships are built through teamwork and client involvement, delivered through our advisors, client associates and the global resources of Merrill. Our goal is to be your reliable resource on all things financial—the trusted confidantes you can leverage whatever your need may be. Our team’s suite of services integrates multiple wealth disciplines by design. We believe wealth functions more effectively when your overall financial picture is considered.

mediahandler/media/

Mission

The Oster Group combined encompasses 90 years of industry experience. Our mission is to use this experience to understand you and your priorities. 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. We help you design, implement and periodically review a customized wealth management strategy that helps you and your family pursue your personal financial goals without unnecessary investment risk. Our wealth management approach is about using wealth to help turn goals into reality. We truly believe that when you succeed, we succeed.

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, 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.

Financial Strategies

The Oster Group oversees over $500mm in client balances as of May 1st, 2023. Our process is designed to deliver a customized, consistent experience to assist clients not only in wealth accumulation and preservation, but in areas that go beyond portfolio management. Our ability to provide access to the investment insights of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the banking convenience of Bank of America offers a way for clients to manage all of the pieces of their financial lives. We can also be a financial resource, helping clients with the process of transferring wealth to the younger generation.

Some services areas we focus on include:  

  • Long Term Customized Wealth Management Planning for Individuals & Families
  • Ability to coordinate with clients' other professionals (ex. CPAs & Attorneys) to encompass a big picture
  • Socially Responsible Investments (ESG)
  • Trusteed IRAs which can address Estate Planning Needs
  • Financial Services for Multigenerational families
  • Planning for Executives with concentrated & restricted stock positions 
            (Assist with diversification and/or ability to leverage equity)

  • Specialist such as Home Financing & Trust to facilitate in their respective specialties       

*Financing and Credit Services are through Bank of America, N.A.
*Impact investing and/or Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) managers may take into consideration factors beyond traditional financial information to select securities, which could result in relative investment performance deviating from other strategies or broad market benchmarks, depending on whether such sectors or investments are in or out of favor in the market. Further, ESG strategies may rely on certain values based criteria to eliminate exposures found in similar strategies or broad market benchmarks, which could also result in relative investment performance deviating.

Community Involvement

Boy's & Girls Club of Oakland
http://www.bgcoakland.org/

Alameda Food Bank
http://www.alamedafoodbank.org/

Peralta Colleges Foundation
https://www.peraltafoundation.org/

Oakland Public Library
http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/

California Power Crisis: The New Normal?

August 19th, 2021|4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST

Power outages are on the rise in California. Michael Oster, Resident Director & Financial Advisor, will have a fireside chat with BofA analysts Ross Gilardi & Julien Dumoulin-Smith about California’s power crisis. They will discuss the joint issues around wildfire related outages as well as the clear risk of outright rolling blackouts this summer due to shortage situations across the West as drought progresses. We look to provide insights as to how CA residents & investors can navigate what is likely to be a challenging environment for the foreseeable future.

Register Here 

Our Videos

Insights, observations, and ideas to help you in your pursuit of your financial goals.

Important Video Disclosures

Learn about our practice and the resources we offer to support you on your financial journey.

Face your challenges with the resources of one of the world's largest financial institutions at your back.

Take charge of your financial future with a plan that is all about you.

Watch my video to see how my team and I can help you achieve your financial goals for your business and your family.

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.

Michael R Oster

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

Meet Our Team

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, our 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.

David Rubalcava

Wealth Strategies Advisor

Bank of America, N.A.

Nafisa Azami

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

Reham Asaad

Wealth Management Lending Officer

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #633262

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 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.


      MLBrochure.png

      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.

      Anthem video thumb.jpg 
      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.


      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.