Change lives. Beginning with yours. Become a Merrill Lynch financial advisor. Life s better when we re connected

Transcription

1 Change lives. Beginning with yours. Become a Merrill Lynch financial advisor. Life s better when we re connected

2 If you re successful and looking to maximize your potential, consider joining Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor. Choose a career path that offers you: Independence* Fulfillment Income Be an entrepreneur who builds and manages a business. Make a meaningful difference in the lives of clients. Receive a base salary plus an uncapped, unlimited annual income opportunity. * Intended within a cultural context. Merrill Lynch financial advisors are employees of Merrill Lynch and must adhere to all firm policies with regard to their business activities. May not be a trait for all team financial advisor career paths. The uncapped, unlimited annual income opportunity is for the Practice Management Development (PMD) advisor career path only. Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer and Member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation ( BofA Corp. ). Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of BofA Corp. Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured 2 Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

3 High achievers, please apply Our ideal candidates are already successful in their careers and their lives. A background of accomplishment Are you driven? Committed? If the answer is yes, you may be just what we re looking for. It s true that you ll need perseverance to succeed but what you don t necessarily need is a financial services background. We re searching for high achievers with a track record of continued success, in all industries and careers, such as: Sales and marketing Community leaders professionals Teachers and educators Attorneys Professional athletes Bankers Consultants Entrepreneurs Real estate agents Accountants and developers Insurance agents Risk managers Fundraisers Military personnel If you were a member of our country s armed forces, you could also be what we re looking for. Merrill Lynch actively works to attract, develop and retain veterans, reservists and military spouses because of the unique skills and experiences they bring to our organization. Their personal values align with our company s values of trusting the team, acting responsibly and realizing the power of our people. Our goal is to transfer your previous successes into a career that will leverage your past achievements. 3

4 Motivated self-starters Our highly entrepreneurial financial advisors enjoy taking the time to listen to and converse with clients about goals and objectives. They appreciate the opportunity to access the investment insights of Merrill Lynch and banking convenience of Bank of America to help clients live the life they want. Consider these questions: Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit?* Are you a leader in various areas of your life? Are you ready to take action when opportunity knocks? Are you creative and resourceful? Do you have clearly defined personal goals, not just work-related goals? Are you self-motivated and outgoing enough to network and acquire new clients? Are you decisive, even in complex situations? Do you have strong relationship-building skills? Are you committed to community involvement? Do you pride yourself on being resilient when facing new challenges? Do you have integrity and high ethical standards? Do you demonstrate a willingness to take action? Are you collaborative and do you bring out the best in others? If you answered yes to many of these questions, consider the opportunity for a dynamic new career path offering rewards based on your success. * May not be a trait for all team financial advisor career paths. 4

5 Stand out with the help of an industry leader Since 1946, we ve been training financial advisors using Merrill Lynch s comprehensive, specialized development program. The Practice Management Development (PMD) program is designed to develop the critical skills and knowledge necessary for building a successful wealth management practice acquiring clients, enhancing relationships, providing tailored strategies and more. A comprehensive, proven curriculum You benefit from a curriculum designed by a team of learning professionals, implemented at a local level by successful directors, practicing financial advisor mentors and PMD coordinators under the guidance of market PMD managers. It consists of proprietary Merrill Lynch content that includes customized courses and solutions developed with industry-leading vendors, and well-respected business performance improvement specialists and organizations. You ll take advantage of intensive training with Merrill Lynch Fast Start, a Goals-Based & Client Acquisition workshop, and the PMD Passport Online Training Program TM available only at Merrill Lynch. The PMD Fast Start program is designed to introduce you to the client acquisition strategies used by our firm s top advisors. You ll have access to an online community learning environment that allows you to work with your peers and a coach to develop a pipeline of contacts so you can build a network of qualified prospective clients, centers of influence and referral alliances. Through this online community, you ll be able to: Learn the client acquisition strategies used by Merrill Lynch s top advisors Exchange ideas with your peers regarding how you ll implement the strategies in your practice Ask questions of peers in your community Complete and post video recordings of weekly practice sessions and receive feedback from a coach or peers in your community Where Fast Start instructs you on how to prospect and gain an appointment, the Goals-Based & Client Acquisition workshop teaches you the next step. The two-day instructorled training session shows you how to lead meetings with prospective clients effectively and efficiently. The PMD Passport Online Training TM program is a unique, year-long skills enhancement program that helps financial advisors master strategic intent, mental awareness and total health alignment. The program is designed to support the highest success of new financial advisors via targeted monthly videos, simple one-page assignments and monthly live Q&A conference calls. The skills developed in this program are the passport to a productive and sustainable career as a Merrill Lynch financial advisor. 5

6 In September 2014, Merrill Lynch s Practice Management Development program won a gold medal for Best Onboarding Program for the second consecutive year in the 2014 Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Sales and Marketing Awards. The Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards Program covers functional areas that are responsible for driving performance within an organization. The Practice Management Development program at Merrill Lynch is a brilliantly conceived and executed development program that marries the expertise of industry-leading professionals with internal specialists to satisfy all facets of a program participant s development. The PMD program really stands out among sales onboarding programs for its design, its efficiency and its stellar results for both program participants and the company. Rachel Cooke, COO of Brandon Hall Group and head of the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards 6

7 Access to top ideas from the industry The Optimal Practice Model is a multifaceted program that came about by analyzing the practices of many of the industry s top financial advisors and the activities that make those advisors successful. It helps Merrill Lynch advisors focus on an integrated set of disciplines so they can deliver a higher-quality and more consistent client experience while building their own practice. The Optimal Practice Model gives you access to a single and consistent framework that helps you build your business, maximize your strengths and tap into the great resources available to you. You can be supported through the entire process, starting with an in-depth self-assessment, in-person training, action planning and coaching. A competitive base salary and meaningful recognition You ll earn a competitive base salary as you acquire registrations/licenses and build your business or grow within your team s business. Our pay-for-performance culture offers bonus opportunities to reward success. Top performers will have the chance to attend the renowned PMD Excellence Event and to pursue other recognition opportunities in advanced training and firm leadership. Collaboration through teaming Most program participants begin by joining a team of experienced financial advisors. When formed properly, advisor teams help you give clients an enhanced experience; build your practice with more assets and production credits (PCs); focus on your areas of strength while you spend more time doing the things you love to do; and make work/lifestyle improvements. Advisor teams provide exceptional mentoring opportunities, an excellent way to attract high-net-worth prospects and the chance to gain credibility with centers of influence like CPAs and estate attorneys. Teams enhance the client experience by: Improving client contact and coverage Increasing the breadth of client relationships through advisor specialization Deepening client relationships through further client profiling, brainstorming and collaborating about a client s situation and financial strategy Events happening within Merrill Lynch and the industry are driving the trend to form teams: It s a more competitive marketplace, and clients are interested in being served by teams with more specialization, knowledge and services There s a need for more thoughtful succession planning Clearly defined roles and responsibilities lead to efficient business models Higher fiduciary standards demand standardized client communications, meetings and documentation 7

8 Come to a firm that supports you At Merrill Lynch, wealth management is, and will always be, the core of what we do. Because the firm was built on putting clients needs first, you can count on having the resources to help clients succeed. And in doing so, you ll succeed. Merrill Lynch s culture offers continual opportunities to help develop your wealth management practice. The PMD program includes: Investment, sales and business management training and development Coaching and mentoring from industry leaders A rewarding compensation structure that includes salary, bonuses and incentive payouts* Here backed by the leadership, support and one of the broadest platforms of products and services in the business you ll help clients change their lives. Coaching and mentoring Your efforts will be supported by PMD coordinators and advisor mentors 1 in local offices. If needed, you ll be enrolled in a 90-day program of personalized coaching that helps you quickly break down barriers and build your business. Valuable resources We ll help you prepare for Series 7 and Series 66 exams. You ll be able to take advantage of turnkey marketing and business development strategies so you can get your business up and running quickly. You ll help clients support their personal goals using industry-leading research and analysis and Merrill Lynch s comprehensive investment platform. Affinity groups and a commitment to diversity We recognize that it s the power of our people and our differences that makes us a stronger company. We re proud to be committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining top diverse talent from across the globe. By joining one or more of our affinity groups, you ll have an opportunity to develop leadership skills and connect with people across the business and around the world. Choose from groups based on age, ethnicity, lifestyle and professional goals. With more than 200 chapters worldwide and over 65,000 active members, our employee networks build meaningful connections between our organization and the communities in which we live and work. We re proud and honored to receive recognition for these programs: In February 2014, our Ally Program, in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees, was recognized as Program of the Year by the National Business Inclusion Consortium. In 2014, we were named one of Working Mother magazine s 100 Best Companies for working moms for the 26th consecutive year. In addition to an affinity group for working mothers, our benefits include health insurance, work-from-home benefits, 12 weeks paid maternity leave, 14 weeks additional unpaid leave with job security, a childcare referral resource and more. * Full salary through month 12 of Stage 1, reduced quarterly thereafter. Starting salary correlates to performance hurdle path. Additional awards are based on meeting performance hurdle and actual production numbers. This applies to the Practice Management Development (PMD) advisor career path only. 8

9 Choose one of three paths to become a Merrill Lynch financial advisor Regardless of the role you eventually assume, you ll access the deep resources and full capabilities of both Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. Team Financial Advisor Play an integral role on a larger team You ll play a specific role in either business development, planning, investments and financing, business management or relationship management contributing to the overall efforts of the team. You ll take advantage of an accelerated curriculum (one year shorter than the standard PMD program), and after six months of service, you ll have the opportunity to grow within your team. PMD Financial Advisor Help clients pursue their goals As a PMD financial advisor, your support team includes a group of specialists with experience in banking, credit, retirement, insurance and investments, including access to the full capabilities of Bank of America and its innovative banking services. This combined support will help clients pursue their financial goals. Bank Team Financial Advisor Provide clients access to the full breadth of firm resources After a length of service (LOS) of six months, you ll have the potential opportunity to work in a Bank of America financial center as a PMD financial advisor. You ll be able to build your team s book of business with preferred and affluent clients who already have a banking relationship, but who may be looking for the investment insights and customized strategies you can provide. 9

10 Engage clients with a goals-based approach Clients want you to do more than just help them invest. They want you to help them pursue what s personally meaningful to them. That s why Merrill Lynch has designed a comprehensive and powerful approach for you to use when you work with clients: Goals-Based Wealth Management (GBWM). Using GBWM, you can guide clients toward more appropriate investment decisions. You can uncover clients concerns and priorities, develop portfolios that align their resources with what they want to achieve, and track their progress toward goals over time. GBWM, which you can apply to all age groups and levels of affluence, follows three principles: Focus on client goals. Help clients manage their wealth so they can pursue what s important to them. Customize to client priorities. Choose the approach that s most compatible with each client s unique investment personality, circumstances and life priorities. Optimize client resources. Develop portfolios that align with clients investment personality, life priorities and goals. Benefits of a goals-based approach Clients and their needs continue to be complex. The GBWM framework offers you a way to: 1. Get to know client from a demographic, financial and behavioral perspective. 2. Help client identify concerns and define goals. Distinguish key elements of each goal: target value, time horizon, risk tolerance and priority. 3. Assess ability to fund goals. Run what-if scenarios and, if necessary, help client refine goals. 4. Work with client to implement goals-based investments and solutions. 5. Course correct and rebalance, as needed. 5 Review progress to goals 1 2 Assess situation 4 Implement goals-based solutions Articulate needs and goals 3 Define and refine approach 10

11 Promote your business with innovative marketing tools You can build your advisory practice and enhance all your client relationships using targeted, preapproved, easy-to-use marketing materials. These marketing tools include fact sheets that give an overview of you and your background; a Web page that showcases your professional information; a monthly e-newsletter with timely financial articles; a presentation library to help you prepare for client and prospect meetings; and a variety of other resources. Also, the Merrill Lynch LinkedIn for Advisors program is a compliant way for you to build your online brand, generate introductions and uncover valuable business opportunities. With MyMerrill.com, clients know you re just one click away from their computer or mobile device and can stay on top of their finances anytime, anywhere. Pitchbook presentation Fact sheet E-newsletter (Perspectives) MyMerrill.com LinkedIn page Web page (FA.com) 11

12 Join us In June 2013, Bank of America was named a 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recipient, the highest recognition given to companies for support of their employees who serve in the U.S. National Guard and Reserve. Freedom Award winners are recognized for their implementation of formal policies and informal initiatives that go above and beyond in assisting and encouraging National Guard and Reserve service. Merrill Lynch has ranked No. 1 for the seventh consecutive year since 2009 on the Barron s Top 1,200 Advisors: Stateby-State list. In total, 293 Merrill Lynch advisors were included this year: 205 financial advisors and 88 private wealth advisors. Thirteen advisors were top in their state. 2 Merrill Lynch ranked first in number of advisors on Barron s 2014 Top 100 Women Financial Advisors list. Seventeen financial advisors and 10 private wealth advisors appeared on the list. 3 To learn more about how you can become a Merrill Lynch financial advisor, visit ML.com/careers. Bank of America and its affiliates consider for employment and hire qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirm in policy and practice to support and promote the concept of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and municipal laws. 1 PMD participants are eligible to work with a mentor once they earn their production number and enter the development stage. PMD participants who were LOS month 8 or below in January 2012 are also eligible to work with a mentor. PMDs on registered teams are not eligible to have a compensated mentor. 2 Source: Barron s America s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State list, February 23, Advisors considered for the America s Top 1,200 Advisors: State-by-State 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. 3 Source: Barron s magazine, June 9, 2014, America s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors list. Advisors considered for the America s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors 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. Bank of America, the Bull Symbol, Life s better when we re connected, Merrill Lynch, MyMerrill.com and Optimal Practice Model are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. Apple, the Apple logo and ipad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Barron s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. ART44FCP BRO PM /2015