Your life and priorities
At Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, we believe that understanding what matters most to you is critical to a successful investing strategy. Through a dedicated one-on-one relationship between you and your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor, we are able to design a comprehensive strategy around you.
Your total financial picture
You'll have a more complete view of your total financial picture with single login access between Bank of America banking and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management brokerage accounts.
A clear and more open way to work
We believe trust comes from transparency, which is why our advisors lay out everything you can expect from the beginning. So you’ll know what we’re doing, how you’re tracking toward your goals, and what you’re paying.
Power behind your goals
Drawing from award-winning1 research, your advisor will work with our investment professionals to provide you with strategies based on your unique needs.
BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research
BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research was named the Top Global Research Firm in 2019 by Institutional Investor magazine for the seventh time since the recognition began in 2011.1
Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors
In 2019, for the fourteenth year in a row, Merrill had the most advisors named to Barron's America's Top 100 Women Financial Advisors list. We are proud to acknowledge our 20 advisors recognized.2
Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors
We are pleased to announce that Merrill has the most advisors on Barron's 2020 Top 1,200 Financial Advisors list for the twelfth consecutive year. We are proud of our 284 advisors for their accomplishments and for making the list.3
Financial Times' 2020 FT 400
We are pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate 70 Merrill advisors who made the Financial Times' 2020 FT 400 Top Advisor list. Merrill had the most advisors recognized.7
On Wall Street’s Top 40 Advisors Under 40
We're pleased to share that, in 2020, Merrill had the most advisors named to On Wall Street's annual Top 40 Under 40 list, with 17 advisors being recognized. This list higlights top advisors under age 40 from various firms.9
Forbes' America's Top Wealth Advisors
We congratulate our advisors for making the 2019 Forbes’ America’s Top Wealth Advisors list. This year, Merrill had 54 advisors recognized.10
Financial Times’ Top 401 Retirement Advisers
The Financial Times 2019 Top 401 Retirement Advisers list recognizes the top financial advisors who specialize in serving defined contribution retirement plans. Merrill has the most financial advisors overall for the third consecutive year with 43 advisors being recognized. 11
Working Mother Magazine’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms
Working Mother Magazine’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms list recognizes wealth advisors who are mothers with children living at home and under the age of 18. Congratulations to all of our advisors named to the 2019 list.12
Forbes' Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors
In 2019, Forbes released their Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors list, focused on younger advisors who are the "next-generation" of wealth advisors. Merrill had 86 advisors on the list, the most advisors recognized among our competitors.13
Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors
Congratulations to our advisors who made the 2020 list as one of Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors. We're proud of our advisors for achieving this honor.14
Barron's Top 50 Institutional Consultants
Congratulations to our team named to Barron's Top 50 Institutional Consultants 2020 list. We are proud of those recognized.15
Forbes’ Top Women Wealth Advisors
We congratulate our advisors for making Forbes’ Top Women Wealth Advisors 2020 list. This year, Merrill had the most advisors on the list, with 240 advisors recognized.16
Barron's Top 50 Private Wealth Advisory Teams
We're pleased to announce that Merrill had the most Private Wealth Management teams named to the 2020 list. We congratulate our 19 teams recognized and appreciate all that they do for their clients.17
Forbes' Best-In-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors
We are proud of our advisors named to Forbes first-ever "Best-In-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" list. In 2019 Merrill led the way with 418 advisors named to the list, the most advisors of any other firm.8
Largest number of financial advisors
who hold the Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) designation, November 4, 20194
Fortune's "Change the World" list
Bank of America was the top financial services firm on the “Change the World” list and was recognized for its work to address the affordable housing shortage across the U.S.18
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management’s financial statement
has been recognized thirteen years in a row (2006-2019) with the “Seal of Excellence” from DALBAR, Inc.
Merrill’s brokerage statement
was ranked No. 1 in Corporate Insight’s Broker Monitor report for thirteen consecutive years (2007-2019)
"An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" for Phone Support
Bank of America's Wealth Management Client Services center, serving Merrill Lynch Wealth Management clients, was certified for providing “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience” for Phone Support for the fifth straight year.5
Center for Financial Planning
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management had the most CFP® certificants of any firm in the industry6
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management retirement statements
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management defined contribution and total retirement statements take the #1 spots in their respective rankings in DALBAR’s “Trends and Best Practices in Investor Statements.”—January 29, 2019
The Power of the Right AdvisorTM
Your dedicated Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor team combines actionable planning and objective investment advice to help you achieve your goals while growing and preserving your wealth.
2020 Digital Wealth Management Impact Innovation Award for Digital Engagement Strategy
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America Private Bank received the 2020 Digital Wealth Management Impact Innovation award from Aite Group for Digital Engagement Strategy regarding their Socialize platform.19
WealthManagement.com 2020 Industry Awards
Merrill was the winner in the Technology category for Digital Collaboration Tools and the Social Media Leadership category for the Socialize platform for advisors – WealthManagement.com 2020 Industry Awards.20
"Bank of America” is the marketing name for the global banking and global markets businesses of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and brokerage activities are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“Investment Banking Affiliates”), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc., and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., which are registered broker-dealers and Members of SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp. are registered as futures commission merchants with the CFTC and are members of the NFA.
BofA Merrill Lynch 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. Any information presented in connection with BofA Merrill Lynch 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.
1. Institutional Investor magazine announced BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research as the Top Global Research Firm in 2019 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 Merrill Lynch 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. For more information about this award, go to https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1j05gxjsr0zwj/The-Top-Research-Firm-in-the-World-Is. 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.
2. Source: Barron's "Top 100 Women Financial Advisors" list, June 8, 2019. Advisors considered for the "Top 100 Women Financial Advisors" list ranking have a minimum of seven years financial services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the Advisor rankings include: client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, and community involvement, among others. Barron's does not receive compensation from Advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Barron's is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Barron's 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 of the advisor.
3. Source: The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” list, March 13, 2020. The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. This is a list of the top advisors in each state, with the number of ranking spots determined by each state's population and wealth. Other quantitative and qualitative measures include assets under management, revenues generated by advisors for their firms, and the quality of the advisors' practices, regulatory records, internal company documents, and 100-plus points of data provided by the advisors themselves. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s 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 of the advisor. Barron's is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
4. Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks “CIMA,” and “Certified Investment Management Analyst.” Use of CIMA, and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst signifies that the user has successfully completed The Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals.
5. J.D. Power 2019 Certified Customer Service ProgramSM recognition is based on successful completion of an evaluation and exceeding a customer satisfaction benchmark through a survey of recent servicing interactions. For more information, visit www.jdpower.com/ccc. Rankings and recognition from J.D. Power 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. Participation in this survey was paid for by Bank of America.
6. As of November 4, 2019. Source: centerforfinancialplanning.org/merrill-lynch-to-be-signature-sponsor-at-the-cfp-board-center-for-financial-plannings-diversity-summit/. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
7. Source: The Financial Times “400 Top Financial Advisers” (FT 400) list is an independent listing produced annually by Ignites Research, a division of Money-Media, Inc., on behalf of the Financial Times, April 16, 2020. The FT 400 is based on data gathered from advisors, broker-dealer home offices, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each advisor’s status in six primary areas: assets under management (AUM), asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials and online accessibility. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of this advisor’s future performance. Neither the brokerages nor the advisors pay a fee to the Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 400. Rankings and recognition from the Financial Times 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 of the advisor. All rights reserved. For more information: http://details-he.re/fTgbvQ
8. Source: Forbes "Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" list, September 4, 2019. Forbes "Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" list was developed by SHOOK Research. Advisors considered for this ranking were born in 1980 or later with a minimum 4 years relevant experience; advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criteria because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not representative nor indicative of any one client's experience, future performance, or investment outcome. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Forbes 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 of the advisor. For more information, visit http://details-he.re/8ny9H7
9. Source: The On Wall Street’s “Top 40 Advisors Under 40” list, January 2020. The ranking for the “Top 40 Advisors Under 40” list is compiled using data solicited from the advisors’ employers. Advisors considered must be under 40 years old and work at an employee brokerage firm. Individual trailing 12- month production for each advisor was the primary ranking criteria. On Wall Street is a national publication serving the wealth management industry and retail brokers working in the employee channel for wirehouses and regional broker-dealers. Rankings and recognition from On Wall Street 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 of the advisor. On Wall Street is a trademark of SourceMedia. All rights reserved. For more information: http://details-he.re/o4tv1C
10. Source: Forbes Magazine (September, 2019). Data provided by SHOOKTM Research, LLC. Data as of 6/30/19. The Forbes ranking of "America's Top Wealth Advisors," developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years of experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Rankings are based on the opinions of Forbes and not representative nor indicative of any one client's experience, future performance, or investment outcome. Rankings and recognition from Forbes 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 of the advisor. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. All rights reserved. For more information, visit http://details-he.re/7mnoMA
11. Source: The Financial Times “401 Top Retirement Advisers” list is an independent listing produced annually by the Financial Times, October 10, 2019. The FT 401 is based on data gathered from advisers, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each adviser’s status in six primary areas: DC plan assets under management, DC plan growth rate, specialization in DC plans, years of experience, advanced industry credentials, and compliance record. This honor is not indicative of the adviser’s future performance. Neither the advisers nor their parent firms pay a fee to the Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 401. All rights reserved. For more information, visit http://details-he.re/2IOdb0. Rankings and recognition from the Financial Times 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 of the adviser.
12. Source: Working Mother/SHOOK Research’s “Top Wealth Advisor Moms” list, October 3, 2019. Data provided by SHOOK™ Research, LLC. Data as of 3/31/19. SHOOK™ Research considered Wealth Advisors who are mothers with children living at home and under the age of 21. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures derived from telephone and in-person interviews and surveys: service models, investing process, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, etc.; and quantitative criteria, such as assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC. Neither SHOOK nor Working Mother receives compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. For more information see http://details-he.re/vD5zo4. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Working Mother/SHOOK Research 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 of the advisor.
13. Source: Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" list, July 24, 2019. Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" list was developed by SHOOK Research. Advisors considered for this ranking were born in 1980 or later with a minimum 4 years relevant experience; advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criteria because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not representative nor indicative of any one client's experience, future performance, or investment outcome. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Forbes 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 of the advisor. For more information, visit http://details-he.re/Ne1uq9
14. Source: The Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” list, April 17, 2020. The Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the advisor rankings include: client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, and community involvement, among others. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s 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 of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
15. Source: The Barron’s “Top 50 Institutional Consulting Teams” list, April 17, 2020. The Barron’s “Top 50 Institutional Consulting Teams” ranking evaluated advisors on a range of criteria, including institutional investment assets overseen by the advisor and his/her team, the revenue generated by those assets, the number of clients served, and the number of team members and their regulatory records. Also considered were the advanced professional designations and accomplishment represented on the team. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s 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 of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
16. Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors” list, April 21, 2020. Data provided by SHOOKTM Research, LLC. Data as of September 30, 2019. The Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Rankings and recognition from Forbes 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 of the advisor. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. For more information: details-he.re/V5tDPQ
17. Source: The Barron’s “Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams” list, April 17, 2020. The Barron’s “Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams” list is the first-ever ranking of wealth advisory teams that specialize in serving individuals and families. The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, the regulatory records and credentials of their members and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The Barron’s “Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the advisor rankings include: client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, and community involvement, among others. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s 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 of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
18. Source: Fortune magazine’s “Change the World” list, 2019. The Change the World list recognizes companies that have had a positive social impact through activities that are part of their core business strategy. Fortune writers and editors evaluate and rank the companies by four factors: measurable social impact, business results, degree of innovation and corporate integration. For more information, visit http://details-he.re/uEIe2V.
19. Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America Private Bank received the Innovation Award for Digital Engagement Strategy regarding the Socialize platform from Aite Group, June 15, 2020. Aite Group evaluates firms based on the following categories: digital investment management offering, hybrid advance offering, digital multi-product offering, digital initiative of the year, digital startup of the year. Learn more at Aite Group. Rankings and recognition from Aite Group 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.
20. WealthManagement.com 2020 Industry Awards, September 2020. A panel of 15 judges made up of top names in the industry determined the WealthManagement.com 2020 Industry Awards Finalists. Winners will then be selected based on quantitative measures of their initiatives—such as scope, scale, adoption and feature set—along with qualitative measures such as innovation, creativity and new methods of delivery. Learn more at WealthManagement.com. Rankings and recognition from WealthManagement.com 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.
