Merrill Private Wealth Management

Tune out the noise: Wealth planning for the year ahead

Hear from a panel of experts as they explore how rising interest rates, high inflation and increased volatility are impacting the economy, how family dynamics are changing estate planning and hear some actionable strategies for investors to consider in 2023.

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Transier Green Richesin

Private Wealth Advisors

Meet the Team
Our Approach
Articles
Our Vision
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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.

Melissa is a Managing Director, a Private Wealth Advisor, and a founder of the Transier & Green team at Merrill Private Wealth Management in Dallas. Melissa provides advice, guidance and sustained leadership to a select group of accomplished clients, overseeing various aspects of their financial affairs. Clients look to Melissa for high level strategy and, importantly, laser focused execution and continued tracking and reassessment, relying on the knowledge and insight she has gained from more than 30 years in investment banking and wealth management. She has worked with ultra high net worth individuals and families who find themselves in life transitions, such as the sale of a business, an inheritance or a death or divorce. These events cause change and Melissa appreciates the stresses that clients experience and takes the time to help them navigate these obstacles and enable them to enjoy what is important to them.

As a veteran Advisor, Melissa is adept at identifying the nuances of each client’s unique situation, illustrating clear alternatives to pursue their objectives, defining a path forward and then executing. She has long-term relationships that enable her to enlist resources for collaboration on potential solutions so that clients can focus on their personal and professional priorities. Melissa has broad experience in customized investment management, tax-minimization strategies, trust and estate planning services, philanthropy and the regulatory requirements imposed on corporate insiders.

Melissa has worked in investment banking and wealth management since 1991. After graduating from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, she began her career in the Financial Analyst program in the investment banking group at The First Boston Corporation and later moved with her team to Morgan Stanley, focusing on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Following completion of her three year program, she formed a money management firm and trust company, Founders Trust Company, with her former SMU finance professor. When Founders was sold to Norwest Bank (which later became Wells Fargo), Melissa continued her investments career by joining JP Morgan Private Bank. She ultimately met her current business partner, Chris Green, in 1998 and together formed a long lasting partnership that began at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (and was purchased by CS First Boston). After CS First Boston divested of their wealth management business, Melissa and her team joined Citi Family Office for five years before joining Merrill Private Wealth Management in 2009.

Committed to the belief that learning never stops, Melissa earned the designations of Chartered Financial Analyst, Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst professional. On a personal level, Melissa and her husband enjoy traveling, hiking and playing golf in beautiful places such as Pebble Beach and New Zealand. She also enjoys adventure travel and has bungee jumped and flown a glider in New Zealand and gone heli-skiing in Canada.

*Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

*Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Melissa Transier, CDFA , CEPA , CFA

Managing Director

Private Wealth Advisor

214.303.5867

Chris is a Private Wealth Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Private Wealth Management and has advised accomplished families and individuals, corporate executives, family offices and foundations since 1997. His core competencies include customized investment management, tax minimization strategies, trust and estate planning services and philanthropy. He draws upon a broad range of investment capabilities, including equities, fixed income, alternative investments and structured investments, offering a disciplined approach designed to help multiple generations grow, preserve and transfer their wealth more effectively. He has specific knowledge in advising corporate insiders and holders of concentrated positions of restricted stock as he is well educated and experienced in the filing requirements of Rule 144, Section 16 and Rule 10b5-1.

Chris began his career at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ) in 1997 where he met his business partner, Melissa Transier, in 1998 and together formed a long lasting partnership. After DLJ was purchased by CS First Boston and ultimately divested of their wealth management business, Chris and his team joined Citi Family Office for five years before joining Merrill Private Wealth Management in 2009. Chris received his B.A. and his M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.

Committed to professional excellence, Chris earned the designation of Certified Exit Planning Advisor to assist business owners. On a personal level, Chris and his wife Kara live in Dallas with their four children Chris Jr., Walker, McKenna and Mia along with their furry child, Abbey. Chris enjoys playing golf, traveling and spending time with his family.

*Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

*Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment’s investment objectives will be achieved.

*Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, or U.S. Trust Company of Delaware. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

Chris W. Green, CEPA

Senior Vice President

Private Wealth Advisor

214.303.5866

Greg Richesin is a Managing Director and Private Wealth Manager with Merrill Private Wealth Management in Dallas. Greg works closely with an accomplished clientele, helping them preserve, grow, and transfer their wealth more effectively. He has particular depth catering to the distinctive needs of law firm partners, as well as entrepreneurs and senior executives.

Greg works with a limited number of clients, allowing him to have a significant impact on the individuals and families he serves. His approach reflects his core beliefs: work hard, put clients’ interests first, and make clients’ lives easier. Clients look to him to create a valuable resource—more time in their lives to pursue their work or family commitments. Greg, in turn, directs a more purposeful approach to each client’s finances, uncovering possible efficiencies, anticipating key decision points, and unwinding the complexities that substantial wealth can entail.

Greg’s areas of focus include tailored portfolio design, cash-flow management, pre- and post-liquidity-event planning, trust and estate planning services, and charitable giving. Client referrals are his primary source of new relationships, an honor that spurs his continuing efforts to deliver a preeminent client experience.

Prior to joining Merrill Private Wealth Management, Greg served as a Director and Team Leader/Private Banker with the Law Firm Group at Citi Private Bank in Dallas. In this capacity, he worked closely with senior partners to address multiple aspects of their personal wealth, including long-term strategy, retirement planning, investing, and generational wealth-transfer. He also facilitated commercial banking opportunities, broadening the scope of resources at a client’s disposal. Greg began his career in the financial industry in 1996. He earned his B.A. from Augusta State University.

Greg and his wife reside in Dallas with their two young children.

*Trust and fiduciary services are provided by Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Gregory Brett Richesin

Managing Director

Private Wealth Manager

214.303.5861

Laura K. Martin-Bernard

Senior Private Wealth Client Associate

214.303.5879

Christopher Roney McBee

Registered Private Wealth Client Associate

214.303.5863

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.

Robin Catlin

Wealth Strategist

Merrill

Iran Harvell

Wealth Strategist

Merrill

Timothy J Bennett

Division Structured Credit Executive

Bank of America, N.A.

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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

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.

Intergenerational Family Wealth

As a family that spans multiple generations, you have needs that go beyond preserving assets, tax minimization strategies and designating heirs. Your goals also likely include passing on values and helping the next generation become effective stewards. We can help with personalized wealth transfer strategies, family wealth education and developing and implementing philanthropic visions. In working with you to create an approach that reflects your family’s intentions and helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, we proceed in a manner that recognizes the complexities of your life challenges and the unique nature of your goals. Our extensive experience working with other families of significant wealth helps us to see and share best practices to help you achieve them.

Company Founders, Private Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

When you have built your own business, your personal finances and the life of your company are closely intertwined. You may be thinking about how to invest in your company’s growth while also deciding how best to use your personal assets. Helping ensure the future of your business likely involves employee benefits, retirement plans and succession planning. Helping secure your family’s legacy could entail wealth transfer strategies, trusts and philanthropy. Whatever your specific needs, we at Merrill Private Wealth Management can help entrepreneurs and business owners balance their personal financial lives with their life’s work. We are dedicated in providing the experience and resources to help support your ongoing success.

Corporate Executives

We understand the complexities that come with your executive position and the extreme demands on your time. We can help you develop a customized strategy that your finances and compensation require. We can help with risk management strategies for your concentrated stock position while navigating complex SEC rules, trading restrictions and reporting requirements. If you’ve just been promoted and would like help evaluating your new compensation plan, or if you’re looking to develop a long-term financial strategy for you and your family — designed to enable you to live life as you want it, with reliable access to cash — we can help simplify your financial life, as well as develop new strategies as your career and goals evolve.

Foundations and Endowments

An investment portfolio tailored to your needs is crucial to advancing your organization’s mission and carrying on its important work. We have extensive experience working with endowments and foundations and have a keen understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of board and committee members for investment management and financial oversight. The strategies we construct are carefully designed to help promote stability, efficiency and growth under a variety of market conditions. We also offer advice on board governance and reporting, and help in meeting regulatory and operating challenges. We provide access to the customized services your organization needs with discretion and skill.

Family Offices

As private wealth advisors with Merrill Private Wealth Management, we work with prominent families to help them manage the ongoing complexities they face. Our deep experience with family offices enables us to tailor a range of services to help meet your specific needs. We can provide access to Merrill for investment and wealth management strategies, and to Bank of America for governance, asset custody and administration, as well as assisting in the financial education of younger family members. In working with you to create and implement plans reflecting your specific intentions, our goal is to help your family enterprise succeed, and that your knowledge and values are passed along to the next generation. Together, we will focus on strategies that recognize the unique nature of your family’s mission, history and goals.

What Differentiates Us

We appreciate that every client is unique 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 the future.

Families like yours with significant wealth face multiple demands and competing priorities such as maintaining your current lifestyle, preparing the rising generation, seeking meaningful philanthropic opportunities, and taking advantage of new tax laws, all while keeping your capital prudently invested. We pride ourselves on being the right team for an impressive circle of discerning, self-made individuals and generations of their families.

Transier & Green (“TG”) knows the value of being nimble in order to adjust to the changes that life inevitably deals each family over time. We consider the optimal relationship between advisor and client is not exclusively rooted in the financial metrics of investments, but rather is blended with an understanding of what matters most to clients on a personal level.

We take pride in the fact that we are constantly seeking out new information and methods to better benefit you, the client. To illustrate, Transier & Green are both Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA) designees. We have a profound understanding of not only what is required to facilitate a successful transition, but also the knowledge and tools to help you better position your business before the transition begins, resulting in maximum value. We want to help you to pursue superior outcomes in any way we can.

Put simply – we strive to make life easier for you and your family from the moment we meet and for generations after.

Our Investment Approach

We’ve helped people like you many times before, so we know what you should consider, and what you should avoid. We ask the questions that you wouldn’t know to ask. Our goal is to help you capitalize on the advantages and avoid the consequences of managing your hard-earned wealth. Moreover, to prepare you for the change both financially and mentally as you enter the next stage of your life.

Our investment approach includes:

Designing efficient portfolios that maximize return for a given level of risk
Tracking risk through a range of measures including volatility, downside volatility, value-at-risk, peak-to-trough drawdown, downside market capture and scenario analysis
Maximizing after-tax returns through strategic asset allocation, tactical overlay and manager selection
Promoting diversification across size, style, geography, manager and asset class
Examining upcoming economic themes, macro market movements, and correlation statistics to enhance portfolio performance
Considering hedge funds and private equity as potential portfolio components
Re-evaluating the portfolio regularly in order to identify gaps and rebalance allocations

*Some or all alternative investments may not be in the best interests for certain investors. Certain alternative investments carry significant risk and are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as mutual funds and other traditional investments. For these reasons, access to alternative investments may be limited to investors who are designated as sophisticated, high-net-worth investors.

Our Range of Services

Our holistic approach goes beyond traditional banking and investments to help clients with what matters most to them and their families including:

Wealth preservation and transfer strategies
Pre-transaction planning: outright sale, recap or IPO
Implementing Investment Policy Statements
Determining an appropriate asset allocation: an important early step in the investment process
Investment management: traditional and alternative investment selection
Liquidity and cash management
Banking and Lending Solutions (i.e. Cash Management, Securities Based Lending, Home, Yacht, Aircraft and Art Financing)
Tailored lending and liability management
Hedging and monetization of concentrated equity and stock option positions
Philanthropy: integrated charitable plans, family foundations and donor advised funds
Client education: financial boot camps, tailored programs and individual access to specialists

We recognize the value of 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.

Some or all alternative investments may not be in the best interests for certain investors. Certain alternative investments carry significant risk and are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as mutual funds and other traditional investments. For these reasons, access to alternative investments may be limited to investors who are designated as sophisticated, high-net-worth investors.

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

Multi Generational Focus

Given the heritage of TG and the generations of clients we serve, it’s natural for us to view financial matters from a multi-generational perspective. We appreciate that your story is distinct; we’ve been privileged to help other successful families, each with a unique history and family dynamic. We’ll help you cement the vision and values that have been the foundation of your success, fostering a “ripple effect” on succeeding generations.

We take the time to educate your children and grandchildren about the privileges and responsibilities that accompany significant wealth. Family values are not simply about money; they are about individuals coming together. We work with you and your loved ones to develop the habits and mindsets that can help families grow, preserve, and pass on wealth effectively. Discussions are centered on a family’s collective vision, goals and legacy for their wealth. We have extensive experience in facilitating family meetings, mentoring rising generations, and building communication within families. These practices can have a significant impact on a family’s long-term outlook, cohesiveness, and harmony.

Studies suggest that only 30% of all family-owned businesses survive into the second generation; unfortunately only 12% survive into the third generation; with only 3% operating into the fourth generation and beyond. We strive to help clients forge a different path by introducing best practices from other families who have learned to successfully navigate and grow wealth for multiple generations. Their insights will help you weigh your options, reduce stress and amplify positive outcomes for you and the people you love.

Though the allocation of multigenerational wealth is critical, through experience, we have found that it is also important to remind clients to leave memories, not just money – that it’s important to find joy along the path to meaningful outcomes. In these conversations, we ask what clients would define as their life’s most rewarding moments to date. We then identify ways to preserve these memories, not only to remind future generations where they came from, but also as a means to push each generation to be better than the last.

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.

Who We Work With
What Differentiates Us
Our Approach
Our Range of Services
Multi Generational Focus
A Commitment to Service

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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.

Transier Green Richesin

Private Wealth Advisors