Are you ready for the opportunity?

Are you ready
for the opportunity?
Become a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor
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 (“BAC”).
Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., and affiliated banks, members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of BAC.
Investment products:
Are Not FDIC Insured
Are Not Bank Guaranteed
May Lose Value
If your current career
isn’t taking you
where you want to be,
Merrill Lynch offers
you the opportunity
to change lives,
starting with your own.
opportunity
With Merrill Lynch you will have:
Independence*
Entrepreneurial
opportunity to build
and manage a business
Impact
The opportunity to make
a meaningful difference
in the lives of clients
Income
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.
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achievements
Our goal is to transfer your previous successes into
a career that will leverage your achievements in the
Practice Management Development (PMD) program.
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We’re seeking high achievers
Our ideal candidates have proven records of success in their careers and their lives—people
who possess the mind-set of a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor.
A background of accomplishment
Motivated self-starters
You will need drive, commitment and perseverance
to succeed. What you do not necessarily need is a
financial services background to become a Financial
Advisor. Only 15% of Advisors, industry-wide, started
as Advisors.1 And many of our most successful
Advisors have come from careers outside the financial
services industry, including:
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 global power of Merrill Lynch
and Bank of America to help clients achieve their goals.
How would you answer these questions:
∙∙Do you have 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
∙∙Sales professionals
∙∙Attorneys
∙∙Bankers
∙∙Entrepreneurs
∙∙Accountants
∙∙Insurance agents
∙∙Fundraisers
∙∙Community leaders
∙∙Educators
∙∙Military
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 have many of these characteristics, you should
consider the opportunity for a dynamic new career
path offering you rewards based on your success.
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You get top training and coaching
Merrill Lynch has been training Financial Advisors since 1946. We believe that our Practice
Management Development (PMD) training program is the most comprehensive in the industry,
helping you at every step along the way to become a successful Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor.
The PMD program is designed to develop the critical
skills and knowledge necessary for acquiring clients,
enhancing relationships, providing tailored solutions
and building a successful wealth management practice.
This invaluable resource helps you benefit from the
guidance and leadership that can put you on the
path toward becoming part of the next generation
of successful Financial Advisors.
∙∙Participants who find it challenging to build practices
A comprehensive, proven curriculum
are enrolled in a 90-day program that provides
highly personalized coaching to quickly break down
barriers to success.
∙∙Participants benefit from a curriculum designed
by a team of industry-leading learning professionals.
It is implemented at a local level by successful
Directors, practicing Financial Advisor mentors and
PMD Coordinators under the guidance of Market
PMD Managers, all of whom are dedicated to the
success of participants.
Valuable resources necessary for success
∙∙Customized Registration Exam Preparation includes
Series 7 and Series 66 exam preparation programs
that cater to your learning style.
∙∙The curriculum consists of proprietary Merrill Lynch
∙∙We provide turnkey marketing and business
content and includes customized courses and
solutions developed with industry leaders such
as Top Producer, Franklin Covey, the College of
Financial Planning and the American College
of Financial Planning.
development strategies for implementation that can
support accelerated development of your practice.
∙∙Learn how to use BofA Merrill Lynch Global
Research’s industry-leading research and analysis
and Merrill Lynch’s comprehensive investment
platform to deliver innovative client solutions.
∙∙All PMD participants will take advantage of intensive
training with Merrill Lynch Fast Start and Consultative
Sales Skills Programs—available only at Merrill Lynch.
A competitive base salary and
meaningful recognition
Coaching and mentoring
∙∙You will earn a competitive base salary as you
∙∙Market PMD Managers provide consistent program
earn registrations/licenses and build your business.
delivery for trainees. Wherever you are based, you
receive the same high level of training that would be
available in any other part of the country.
∙∙In addition to a competitive base salary,
Merrill Lynch’s pay for performance culture offers
bonus opportunities to reward success.
∙∙PMD Coordinators and practicing Financial Advisor
∙∙The Merrill Lynch PMD program offers multiple
mentors in local offices support and assist you in
launching your career through business and marketing
plan reviews, face-to-face and team meetings, and
assistance with client meetings.
recognition opportunities to attend the renowned
PMD Excellence Event, advanced training and
leadership opportunities for those interested in
becoming Firm leaders.
∙∙Our PMD Mentor program allows you to work with an
experienced Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor.2
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The PMD program may be for you
If you’re a high achiever with the Merrill Lynch mind-set, the structured and disciplined
PMD training program is the first phase toward embarking on a wealth management career
as a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor.
Merrill Lynch’s culture offers continual development opportunities to enhance your personal impact and 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*
∙∙A monthly performance hurdle, a rigorous curriculum and high expectations with a caring meritocracy
Five distinct stages
Training Stage†
First four months
∙∙ Orientation
∙∙ Series 7 and Series 66 registrations
∙∙ Investment process and Client Portfolio Solutions
∙∙ Activity-based goals for client acquisition
∙∙ Business development training
∙∙ Wealth Management Workstation essentials
∙∙ Salesforce CRM essentials
∙∙ Skill Assessment 1
Development Stage
Next three months
∙∙ Merrill Lynch production number assigned
∙∙ Client acquisition skills training
∙∙ Marketing strategy and resources
∙∙ Consultative sales skills training
∙∙ Activity-based sales training
∙∙ Wealth Management Process and Tools training
∙∙ Insurance license
∙∙ Skill Assessment 2
Stage 1*
Months 1 to 12
∙∙ Pipeline management
∙∙ Client Portfolio Solutions positioning
∙∙ Wealth Management Snapshot Tools
∙∙ Client Service Model training
∙∙ Client Review Center
∙∙ CFP® financial planning course
∙∙ CFP® investments course
∙∙ Optimal Practice Model introduction
∙∙ Skill Assessment 3
Stage 2
Months 13 to 24
∙∙ Advanced Client Service training
∙∙ Training on the functional roles of the Optimal
Practice Model
∙∙ Alternative investments
∙∙ Advanced Wealth Management Workstation training ∙∙ Skill Assessment 4
∙∙ Advanced Consultative Sales Skills training
Stage 3
Months 25 to 36
∙∙ Advanced training on the functional roles of the
Optimal Practice Model
∙∙ Personal and professional development
for peak performance
∙∙ Business plan review
∙∙ Program graduation
* 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.
†
Length may vary depending on participant’s level of registration and prior financial experience.
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Build your practice with a wide
range of resources
As a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor, you will have access to the deep resources and full
capabilities of both Merrill Lynch and Bank of America.
Your Merrill Lynch support team includes a group of specialists with expertise in banking, credit, retirement,
insurance and investments. Additionally, you will have access to the full capabilities of Bank of America and its
industry-leading banking services. Because of this combined support, we can offer you a range of strategies that
is unavailable from the competition.
Support from Merrill Lynch Financial Specialists
Wealth Management ∙ Retirement Solutions and Annuity ∙ Insurance ∙ Trust ∙ Portfolio Strategies
∙ Market-Linked Investments ∙ Alternative Investments3
Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor
Support from Bank of America Financial Specialists
Wealth Management Banking ∙ Commercial Bank ∙ Consumer and Small Business Bank
∙ Credit Card Division ∙ Home Loans ∙ Insurance
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Use innovative marketing materials
to support your business
Merrill Lynch offers targeted, preapproved, easy-to-use tools to help you build your business and
enhance all of your client relationships.
These marketing materials include fact sheets that provide a brief 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.
With MyMerrill.com®, clients know you are just one click away from their computer
or mobile digital device. They can also stay on top of their finances anytime,
anywhere, by accessing a full range of investment products, analyses and market
insights from their iPad®, iPhone®, AndroidTM and BlackBerry® devices.
Jane Sample
Pitch book presentation
Good [morning/afternoon/evening].
Thank you for coming. Some of you know me—and I’ve had the pleasure of being
your Financial Advisor for a number of years. But for those of you who don’t, let
me introduce myself. I’m [Name] with the [Name of team], and I’ve been in the
financial services industry for XX years, XX of them with Merrill Lynch.
E-newsletter
(Perspectives)
Professional Experience
Jane Sample adheres to a disciplined process that offers a consistent yet customized
wealth management experience. Before any financial decisions are made, she considers
your whole life, taking the time to fully understand who you are and what matters most
to you as an individual and as a business professional. With this intimate knowledge
about what you value most, Jane is able to help you establish objectives and develop an
appropriate strategy while recommending strategies that draw upon the breadth and
depth of Merrill Lynch to connect all the pieces of your financial life. Jane can conduct
regular reviews with you to help you monitor your progress toward reaching your
goals and keep your strategies consistent with any changes that may take place in
your life and/or business.
I’d like to begin by asking:
 How do you envision your legacy?
Jane has been a Financial Advisor for 22 years, joining Merrill Lynch in 2002. She is
a graduate of The College of New Jersey and serves on the board of the New Jersey
chapter of the American Cancer Society. Jane enjoys spending time with her husband
and three children.
 Do you wish to pass on your wealth to heirs?
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 Are you interested in preserving a legacy of giving and community
involvement?
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volortie volorper.
These are some of the questions that have brought many of you here today.
I’m certain that by the time we’re through, you will understand more about the
types of things you should keep in mind concerning establishing a Florida
domicile, and how I, as a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor, can help you address
your wealth management needs.
Web page (FA.com)
MyMerrill.com
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volut dolore tio ex el ute conumsa ndreet lorem iureet wissit praesed tismodiatie do
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andipit il eraestie magna consecte eum dolor si.
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Custom materials
The Custom Marketing Solutions (CMS) program creates marketing
materials designed to help you tell your story and stand out among
competitors through personalized messages customized to fit you
and your practice.
You can choose from a menu of items including brochures, Web sites
and other marketing materials. Various levels of customization are
available for purchase.
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Fact sheet
Jane Sample, CFP®, ChFC®
Vice President
Financial Advisor
1700 Merrill Lynch Drive
Pennington, NJ 000000
(000) 000-0000
(000) 000-0000
[email protected]
www.fa.ml.com/jane_sample
Access best-of-class research
The knowledge and experience you gain as a
Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor are enhanced by the
thought leadership and innovative strategic thinking
of some of the brightest minds in the industry.
∙∙ Ranked #1 in 2011 Global Research Team Survey
∙∙ Ranked #1 in 2012 All-Asia Research Team Survey;
Top Asia Brokerage
The BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research platform
offers you access to high-quality investment ideas.
Approximately 775 analysts4 in more than 20 countries
focus their efforts on these primary disciplines:
∙∙ Ranked #2 in 2012 All-Japan Research Team Survey
∙∙ Ranked #2 in 2012 All-China Research Team Survey
∙∙ Ranked #2 in 2012 All-Europe Research Team Survey
∙∙Equities
∙∙Credit
∙∙Rates and currencies
∙∙GEM fixed income
∙∙Macro (economics, strategy and commodities)
∙∙ Ranked #2 in 2012 All-Emerging Markets Equity & Fixed
Income Research Team Survey
∙∙ Ranked #2 in 2011 All-Latin America Research Team Survey
∙∙ Ranked #2 in 2011 All-America Equity Research Team Survey
∙∙ Ranked #1 Global Broker (June 2012)
∙∙ Ranked #1 in U.S. and Europe (June 2012)
∙∙ Ranked #2 in Asia (June 2012)
This extensive Global Research covers:
∙∙More than 3,350 stocks
∙∙Currencies across more than 60 countries
∙∙More than 940 corporate bond issuers
∙∙More than 20 commodities
∙∙More than 5,000 fixed-income bond indexes,
Thomson Reuters Extel (June 2012)
∙∙ Ranked #1 Pan-European firm for Equity Sectors Research
(second consecutive year)
∙∙ Ranked #1 Pan-European firm for Derivatives Research
(second consecutive year)
500 investable commodity indexes and over
100 theme- and sector-based equity and equity
derivative indexes
∙∙ Ranked #2 Pan-European firm for Equity and Equity-Linked
Research (second consecutive year)
∙∙ 7 Equity Analysts and 5 Equity teams ranked in overall
top 25 leaderboard
All data as of June 29, 2012.
∙∙ Ranked #1 in the 2012 Asia Best Stock Picking
analyst survey
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Join an industry leader
∙∙#1 Global Wealth Manager
∙∙#1 in U.S. Affluent/High Net Worth Lending
∙∙#1 Specialty Asset Manager
∙∙Led the annual list of Top 1,000 Advisors
∙∙Most Financial Advisors with the No. 1 ranking
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and Deposits6
∙∙#1 in Personal Trust Assets
in their state9
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opportunity
To learn more about Merrill Lynch’s PMD program,
visit http://facareers.ml.com.
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The Cerulli Edge, Advisor Edition, 3Q 2010.
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.
3
Alternative investments may not be suitable for certain investors and are available only to qualified purchasers.
4
Headcount includes publishing and non-publishing analysts.
5
Scorpio Benchmarking Report, 2012.
6
Bank of America Investor Day Conference, March 8, 2011.
7
FDIC, March 31, 2011. Includes managed and unmanaged Personal Trust Assets. Ranking excludes competitors not required to file with FDIC.
8
$12B in Oil & Gas, Farm & Ranch and Timber assets under management, November, 2011.
9
Barron’s, 2012.
The Bull Symbol, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and The Power of the Right Advisor are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.
Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
BlackBerry, RIM, Research In Motion and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. Used under
license from Research In Motion Limited.
iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
CFP is a certification mark owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and is awarded to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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