The Hetherington Group

Private Wealth Advisors
Learn more about an advisor's background on
FINRA's BrokerCheck

We help a select group of individuals and families manage and simplify their finances and investments. They face a range of opportunities as well as complexities. We offer a limited number of individuals and families boutique-like service, broad global resources and customized financial strategies to help simplify their lives so they can spend more time pursuing what matters most to them. We are experienced in addressing the unique challenges presented by newly acquired wealth.

Meet the Team

The private wealth advisors with Merrill Private Wealth Management are rigorously trained to help meet your specialized needs with relationships based on trust and personalized service.

Additional Resources

The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Private Wealth Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.

Jeffrey Wiedmann

Wealth Strategies Advisor

Bank of America, N.A.

Allyssa Dougiello

Wealth Management Banking Specialist

Merrill

Recognition

Merrill is proud of our advisors who’ve received recognition from financial industry publications or directly from Bank of America Corporation. We believe they are setting the standard for exemplary client service.

Brian J Hetherington

Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2024
Published on January 12, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.*

Barron's "Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State" 2017 - 2023
Published annually in February - March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of the prior year.

Barron's "Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams" 2021 - 2023
Published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.

Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" 2018 - 2023
Published annually Jan- April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.

Forbes "America's Top Wealth Advisors" 2018 - 2024
Published annually Aug - Oct. Rankings based on data as of Mar 31 - June 30 of current year.

Strategies designed to help you achieve your goals

As a client of Merrill Private Wealth Management, you have access to services and resources ordinarily reserved for the world’s largest institutions. We work with individuals, families spanning multiple generations, business owners and executives. Using a goals-based wealth management approach, we put our clients at the center of every personalized strategy.

Our Approach

The Hetherington Group

We are a 7-person wealth management advisory team with over 100 years of combined industry experience located in New Canaan, Connecticut. We serve affluent and ultra-affluent clients throughout the United States. Clients are drawn to our group because of our experience, knowledge, and responsiveness. We maintain strong, long-term relationships with clients who appreciate our analytical investment approach and high level of personalized client service.

We help a select group of individuals and families manage and simplify their finances and investments. They face a range of opportunities as well as complexities. We offer a limited number of individuals and families boutique-like service, broad global resources, and customized financial strategies to help simplify their lives so they can spend more time pursuing what matters most to them. We are experienced in addressing the unique challenges presented by newly acquired wealth.

Our Philosophy

We believe your unique goals should be at the center of all of your financial decisions and form the foundation of your financial strategy. Because significant wealth requires customized goals-based financial strategies, we believe in building lasting relationships with a limited number of clients, taking the time to understand your most important priorities for today, tomorrow and your long-term future. Our philosophy celebrates collaboration. Working with a team of specialists, we draw on the resources and insights of a global financial institution to create strategies that reflect your aspirations for yourself and current and future generations of your family. Finally, we believe that while significant wealth brings complex challenges, our experience, passion and perspectives can help you simplify your life.

Our Process

We help a select group of individuals and families manage the varied aspects of their finances and investments. We identify client goals, create an investment management strategy, allocate and manage assets, review performance and communicate progress. Our process is driven by a capital needs analysis, a dynamic and informed view of business cycle and a contrarian value investment discipline. We maintain a strong network of clients, colleagues, friends and advisors. We gain valuable insight and idea flow from this group. We draw heavily on the parallel processing power in this network to improve the quality of our decision making. The power of this network is our most valuable investment advantage. We are committed to working with clients and their external tax and legal advisors to deliver the best financial advice possible. We seek to streamline, organize and coordinate clients’ day to day financial lives.

Our Approach

Our approach combines goal-based planning with personalized investment management. Investment decisions are made within the context of specific goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. We work with clients to define their goals and measure progress against those goals.

Our service model is collaborative and client-focused. Clients appreciate the depth and coverage of our team structure. Each client associate and relationship manager is charged to have an ongoing, personal relationship with every client. We strive to simplify clients' financial lives, solve problems and communicate effectively.

Our Range of Services

Our team provides knowledge, advice and strategies for a range of wealth management needs:
  • Goal-based planning
  • Digital Banking
  • Long-term portfolio strategies
  • Family Wealth Planning and Dynamics
  • Trust and estate-planning strategy
  • Wealth Structuring
  • Credit and lending services from Bank of America, N.A.
  • Concentrated and restricted stock services
  • Philanthropy


*Banking products and services provided by Bank of America, N.A.

Our Accolades

  • Barron's—Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams, 2021-2023 (*Published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year)
  • Forbes—Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2018-2023 (*Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year)
  • Forbes—America's Top 250 Wealth Advisors, 2017-2022 (*Published annually Aug – Oct. Rankings based on data as of Mar 31 – June 30 of current year)
  • Forbes—America's Top Advisors, 2016 (*Published annually Aug – Oct. Rankings based on data as of Mar 31 – June 30 of current year)
  • Barron’s—Top 100 Advisors in America, 2009-2010 (*Published annually Mar – April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year)
  • Barron’s—America’s Top 1200 Financial Advisors, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (*Published annually in March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year)
  • Financial Times—FT 400, 2014 and 2017 (*Published annually Mar – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year)

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams” list, published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.
The Barron’s “Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams” list is a ranking of wealth management teams that specialize in serving individuals and families. The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, the regulatory records and credentials of their members and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The Barron’s “Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and who 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 Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron’s and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

*Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.
Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to measure best practices; also considered are: client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

*Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Wealth Advisors” list, published annually Aug - Oct. Rankings based on data as of Mar 31 - June 30 of current year.
Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. America’s Top Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of Forbes and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Rankings and recognition from Forbes are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” list, published annually Mar – April. Rankings based on data as of December 31 of prior year.
The Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and who 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. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron’s and not representative nor indicative of any one client’s experience, future performance, or investment outcome and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

*Source: The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State” list, published annually in March. Rankings based on data as of September 30 of prior year.
The Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and who have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. This is a list of the top advisors in each state, with the number of ranking spots determined by each state’s population and wealth. Other quantitative and qualitative measures include assets under management, revenues generated by advisors for their firms, and the quality of the advisors’ practices, regulatory records, internal company documents, and 100-plus points of data provided by the advisors themselves. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

*Source: Financial Times “400 Top Financial Advisers” list, published annually Mar - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.
The Financial Times “400 Top Financial Advisers” (FT 400) list is an independent listing produced annually by Ignites Research, a division of Money-Media, Inc., on behalf of the Financial Times. The FT 400 is based on data gathered from advisers, broker-dealer home offices, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each adviser’s status in six primary areas: assets under management (AUM), asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials and online accessibility. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of this adviser’s future performance. Neither the brokerages nor the advisers pay a fee to the Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 400. Rankings and recognition from the Financial Times are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the adviser. All rights reserved.

A Commitment to Service

Merrill Private Wealth Management is committed to providing a select group of clients with highly personalized one-on-one service. When you work with us, our knowledgeable, rigorously trained private wealth advisors will gain a deep understanding of your goals, help you develop a multigenerational wealth strategy, and help you update your strategy as needed. We are committed to providing you access to the investment insights of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America, and Merrill will continue to invest in client tools and new technology to enhance your overall experience as you and your private wealth advisor pursue what’s most important to you.

Let's have a conversation

Your dedicated Merrill Private Wealth Management team is ready to help you pursue what’s most important to you.

Our Vision

For clients of substantial means, Merrill Private Wealth Management provides an experience that is both powerful and personal. We are dedicated to helping you pursue your goals for today while developing an approach designed to support your family members for the years to come.

Your private wealth advisor and team of specialists work with a limited number of clients, enabling them to focus their time, training and passion on helping you simplify your personal and business finances and prepare your next generation.

Boutique-like service with the access to the investment resources of Merrill and banking convenience of Bank of America

We combine the personalized attention and feel of a smaller firm with the power and insights of a global financial institution, creating financial strategies tailored to your unique situation.

A relentless commitment to transparency and customized strategies

As our client, know we are working in your best interests, providing goals-based financial strategies designed to anticipate and help meet your evolving financial needs.