Client Associate, Lynchburg VA

About Merrill Wealth Management

Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. It is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world, focused on goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals.

Merrill's Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team. Teams have access to Merrill's investment insights along with the banking convenience of Bank of America.

Merrill is committed to an in-office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development, with flexibility based on role responsibilities and business needs.

The Advisor Development Program

The Advisor Development Program is designed for people who want to transition into a career as a Financial Advisor. The Wealth Management Client Associate (WMCA - ADP) role is an entry role in the program, with the end goal of becoming a full-scale Financial Advisor at Merrill. In this role you provide client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs).

You will begin by earning your Securities Industry licenses, with dedicated study time for the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7, and Series 66 exams. The SIE, Series 7 and Series 66 must be obtained within 120 days (63 and 65 are accepted in place of 66 if previously held). After licensing, you will learn the foundational skills needed for the WMCA - ADP role.

Once you reach key milestones, including proficiency in your current role and completion of experiential activities showing your ability to become an advisor, you will move into the next stage as a Financial Advisor trainee. You will build a book of business, complete dedicated training, and work in a Merrill office acquiring and managing client relationships. Completing your trainee performance requirements leads to becoming a Merrill Financial Advisor, with support from dedicated programs, tools, and resources.

Key Responsibilities

As a WMCA - ADP, you will serve as the most frequent point of contact within Merrill for FAs' clients and act as a resource for the FAs on your team. Your work supports enterprise strategic objectives, operational excellence, and client advocacy.

• Partner with Financial Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision Managers on client servicing, risk, investments, and banking products
• Provide excellent client service by educating clients on the bank's service and banking offerings
• Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of client materials and follow up on all client and FA requests
• Help ensure practices align with bank policies and procedures to support operational excellence and manage risk
• Identify, deepen, and maintain client relationships by promoting banking into day-to-day practices and communicating outputs to the FA
• Provide business growth support, including business development, investment solutions, and business management support to multiple FAs

Progressive Roles

• Develop a book of business to meet and exceed performance goals
• Prioritize and source prospective clients, use referrals, assess needs, and refer clients to internal specialists
• Recommend investment products suited to each prospect's objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences
• Balance investment growth, referrals, client follow up, prospecting, compliance, and personal development
• Organize and manage time, people, and budget to run a productive practice
• Seek specialist expertise where appropriate to build planning and investment strategies
• Complete mandated training, assessments, performance goals, and continuing education

What We'll Help You With

• Build a successful career at Bank of America through training and onboarding programs
• Get training and one-on-one coaching from the Academy at Bank of America and local leadership
• Grow your business knowledge using a consultative approach to identify client needs and solutions
• Provide end-to-end advice, deliver client reviews and presentations, and recommend strategies for financial goals
• Collaborate with core banking and investment partners to meet clients' financial needs

This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. You must register with the federal registry system, submit to the required background check, and remain in good standing. Failure to obtain or maintain registration may result in immediate termination.

Shift: 1st shift. Hours per week: 37.5.