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PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP: UNITED STATESComprehensive Wealth Management
With more financial challenges and opportunities facing individuals, their families and businesses than ever before, the financial services firm that delivers the highest level of performance, service and a complete array of financial solutions - within a long-lasting relationship of trust - will achieve preeminence.
WINNING INVESTORS' CONFIDENCE
The U.S. Private Client Group is the leading provider of wealth management services. Our Financial Consultants (FCs) and sophisticated online capabilities focus unmatched resources on the needs of private investors, offering sound financial advice and meaningful solutions to simplify and enhance their lives.
Our success in winning investors' confidence is evidenced by the sophistication of the individuals and families who have entrusted their wealth to us: We have nearly $1 trillion in assets from households with accounts of at least $1 million. According to the Spectrem Group, among the 70% of households with investable assets of $5 million or more that use a professional advisor, Merrill Lynch is the preferred provider. What's more, high-net-worth households are projected to grow substantially over the next five years - providing an outstanding opportunity to capitalize on our unique position in offering prestigious private banking services together with the resources of a capital markets powerhouse.
SHARPENING OUR CLIENT FOCUS
Recognizing that various client groups have different
financial needs, in 2000 we took steps to focus more
intently on the distinctive needs of our constituencies.
For our wealthiest clients, our Financial Consultants -
now 16,000 strong in 800 communities, the largest advisor network of its kind - offer a broad range of programs
addressing both sides of the balance sheet. Building on
our commitment to open architecture, investment
options include hedge funds, private equity and other
sophisticated alternatives from best-in-class providers.
We offer discretionary asset management through
Merrill Lynch Investment Managers as well as some of
the best third-party portfolio managers. Qualified clients
also have access to personal loans, business financing,
cash management, insurance and retirement services.
And our estate planning, philanthropy, trusts and other
family services satisfy complex needs across generations.
The Merrill Lynch Financial Advisory Center SM , with 24-hour telephone access to investment professionals, provides advice and execution services for a growing number of investors. And clients, including self-directed investors, who wish to manage all or a portion of their financial activities online can do so through Merrill Lynch OnLine SM and Merrill Lynch Direct SM . These award-winning portals contain Merrill Lynch's acclaimed research, financial products from our firm and other best-in-class providers, the full range of trading, portfolio modeling and account management tools.
COMBINING HUMAN EXPERTISE AND TECHNOLOGICAL EXCELLENCE
In many ways, new technologies have enhanced our ability to serve our clients. Our "Merrill Anywhere" strategy extends client service beyond brick-and-mortar branches, onto the Internet and, ultimately, through the wireless devices that will help drive our future growth. For Financial Consultants, next-generation workstations provide more and faster ways to gather information and provide recommendations. And, our firm has new abilities to analyze client interactions across multiple contact points.Yet, as critical as technology has become, we understand that our success depends on people - the Financial Consultants and client service representatives who personify Merrill Lynch. We have programs in place to help FCs provide consultative, solutions-based service at its most sophisticated level.
By combining technology with professional expertise, we can enhance the client experience for everyone - regardless of the complexity of their finances. Ultimately, by giving clients a choice in the ways they do business with us, we will be better able to help private investors confront financial challenges and seize opportunities as they pursue their financial goals.
