Advisor Development Program - Financial Solutions Advisor Trainee (Centralized): Columbus, OH

Bank of America • Upper Arlington, OH

1d • $29 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

Merrill Wealth Management is seeking a Financial Solutions Advisor within the centralized segment of its Advisor Development Program. This role is designed for individuals aspiring to become financial advisors, starting with a structured program to obtain Securities Industry licenses (SIE, Series 7, and Series 66). The program provides dedicated classes and personalized support for these exams. Upon licensure, trainees will acquire foundational advisor skills, including client acquisition, relationship building, and managing client relationships. They will learn to analyze clients' complex financial situations and provide advice and solutions to help them achieve their financial goals, emphasizing humanized financial interactions. As a Financial Solutions Advisor in the centralized segment, the role involves being a phone-based licensed advisor who offers holistic financial advice and guidance. This includes identifying a broad range of product and service solutions for clients' investment, savings, and liability management needs. Advisors are expected to demonstrate knowledge of investments and financial markets and apply key principles tailored to individual client investment needs, while also integrating Merrill and Bank of America products and services where appropriate. The program is structured to equip individuals with the necessary training and guidance to progress into a Merrill Financial Advisor role. This stage involves working with affluent and high net worth clients, identifying their needs, developing relationships, reviewing investment goals, and preparing aligned investment recommendations. Successful performance as an FSA typically leads to advancement to a Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor (MFSA) within the Advisor Development Program. The Academy provides continuous support, tools, and resources throughout this career journey. Merrill emphasizes an in-office culture with specific attendance requirements, balanced with appropriate flexibility. The company values diversity, fostering a culture-driven, resilient, and results-focused work community. It is committed to responsible growth, supporting communities, providing continuous training, and advancing tools and technology to meet evolving client needs.

Requirements

• Confidence working in a sales role.
• Ability to build strong client relationships through effective communication and collaboration.
• Proactive mindset and effective time management.
• Results-driven mindset and prioritization of client interests.
• Ability to identify appropriate client solutions through application of learnings and new information.
• Ability to apply relevant regulatory due diligence in daily activities and creating long-term client strategies.
• Obtain SIE within 60 days of being hired.
• Obtain Series 7 & 66 within 120 days (Series 63 & 65 accepted in lieu of 66).
• Subject to SAFE Act registration requirements, including background check and registration process.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of financial services industry or sales experience.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new technology or applications.
• Ability to execute multiple tasks simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Obtain Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7, and Series 66 licenses.
• Acquire, build, and manage client relationships.
• Consider clients' complex financial pictures and guide them with advice and solutions.
• Humanize financial interactions.
• Provide holistic financial advice and guidance to clients.
• Identify broader product and service solutions for investment, savings, and liability management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of investments and financial markets.
• Apply key principles appropriate to individual client's investment needs.
• Align Merrill and Bank of America products and services.
• Work with affluent and high net worth clients.
• Identify client needs, develop relationships, review investment goals, and prepare investment recommendations.
• Use a defined consultative approach to identify client needs and appropriate solutions.
• Provide end-to-end comprehensive advice and deliver client reviews/presentations.
• Recommend strategies to help clients achieve financial goals and life priorities.
• Collaborate with core banking and investment partners.
• Connect clients to all solutions provided through Bank of America and Merrill.
• Manage a portfolio of clients with exceptional client care.
• Apply relevant regulatory due diligence in daily activities and long-term client strategies.

Benefits

• Unlimited potential for financial growth.
• A strong referral base from across the business.
• Managing a portfolio of clients by providing exceptional client care with industry leading products, services, and education.
• Robust marketing support.
• Ongoing professional development.
• Opportunities to connect with experts including small business consultants, mortgage lenders and investment advisors.
• World-class training and on-boarding programs.
• One-on-one coaching from Academy managers.
• Competitive benefits.
• Access to paid time off.
• Resources and support to employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees