Broughton Ward

Private Wealth Advisors
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We are different than most advisors. We manage portfolios in-house. We combine the experience of our 15-member team with the resources of a global institution to help make portfolio management, wealth planning, and financial coordination easy, understandable, and gratifying.

Our Videos

Insights, observations, and ideas to help you in your pursuit of your financial goals.

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Watch my video to see how my team and I can help you preserve and grow your legacy.

Ideas and Insights to guide you on your financial journey

Watch my video to see how my team and I can help you achieve your financial goals for your business and your family.

Learn about our practice and the resources we offer to support you on your financial journey.

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.

Upcoming Events

Monthly Market Update

MN

April 2nd, 2024|5:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST

Please join us for our Monthly Market Update where Hudie Broughton will moderate a conversation between Senior Portfolio Manager Walter Broughton and Senior Investment Manager Steve Farrell as they discuss current market conditions and how we're navigating them. Link below for the WebEx Broadcast.

*A Senior Portfolio Manager can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis his own Personalized or Defined Strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. A Senior Portfolio Manager may make their strategies available to clients working with other Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors.

WebEx Link:
https://goto.webex.com/goto/onstage/g.php?MTID=eccb7c569817e45bcc8b9ec7827798938 

    Monthly Market Update

    MN

    April 3rd, 2024|10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST

    Please join us for our Monthly Market Update where Hudie Broughton will moderate a conversation between Senior Portfolio Manager Walter Broughton and Senior Investment Manager Steve Farrell as they discuss current market conditions and how we're navigating them. Link below for the WebEx Broadcast.

    *A Senior Portfolio Manager can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis his own Personalized or Defined Strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. A Senior Portfolio Manager may make their strategies available to clients working with other Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors.

    WebEx Link:
    https://goto.webex.com/goto/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2ee7c3028be27af1d2020ada53081866 

      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. We take understanding a step further with a toolkit that allows us to quantify, analyze and project your financial goals under different scenarios to help you better plan for retirement, an IPO or liquidity event, or for how wealth might impact your loved ones. 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.

      Broughton Ward

      Broughton Ward is a 15-person Private Wealth Management team headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our team has over 175 years of combined experience at Merrill and we have client relationships dating back over 50 years with the firm. Our founding partners, Theresa Ward and Walter Broughton, each have over 30 years of experience at Merrill and have structured the team for success beyond their tenure.

      Our team holds a variety of credentials, including 4 members that hold the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation and 3 members that hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification. We are one of less than 100 Global Institutional Consultant teams at the firm, experienced in working with institutional clients with more than $50M in assets. Currently we oversee more than $2 billion on behalf of clients*. We were nationally ranked #33 on the 2022 Forbes "Top Wealth Management Teams High Net Worth" list (Published November 8, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022) and #2 on the 2023 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list (Published January 12, 2023. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022).”


      Members of our team have been recognized in recent years by reputable publishings, including:

      -Forbes “America’s Best in State Wealth Advisors” (Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year)
      -“America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors Best in State” (Published annually in February. Rankings based on data as of Sept 30
      of prior year)
      -“America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best in State” (Published annually Aug – Sept. Rankings based on data as of March 31
      of current year)

      While we value credentials and accolades, we know the most important aspect of any successful relationship is trust. We take the trust our clients put in us extremely seriously, that’s why we treat our clients like family. We believe our commitment to trust is why we have client relationships dating back over five decades.





      *As of 06/30/2023

      **Global Institutional Consulting, operating under the name “Bank of America,” is a business offering products and services for the benefit of institutional and ultra‐high net worth clients and is part of Global Wealth and Investment Management (GWIM), the wealth and investment management division of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). Global Institutional Consultants mentioned herein are registered representatives with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S“ or “Merrill”) and may assist you with investment products and services. The nature and degree of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and clients’ rights and Merrill’s obligations will differ depending upon the products and services actually provided. Banking activities may be performed by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Brokerage and investment advisory services are provided by wholly owned non-bank affiliates of BofA Corp., including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”), a dually registered broker-dealer and investment adviser and Member SIPC. MLPF&S makes available investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of BofA Corp. Investment products:| Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |

      Active Portfolios Designed for Performance, Risk Management, and Your Best Interest

      We are active investment managers who use a value-oriented, quantitative approach to dynamically diversify portfolios across a range of asset classes. We constantly evaluate global markets’ changing opportunities and challenges with the goal of maximizing returns while minimizing volatility for our clients. This focus on risk-adjusted returns underlies our proprietary investment portfolios, which we can match to a range of objectives, risk tolerances, time horizons, tax sensitivities, and liquidity needs.

      We believe our quantitatively driven investment process differentiates us from many other financial advisors. Our investment decisions take into account our teams’ decades of accumulated knowledge and the latest market research, technology and analytical tools. Our proprietary portfolios are managed to a fiduciary standard, meaning our clients’ best interest always come first. 

      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.

      Technology Entrepreneur

      As a technology entrepreneur, you focus relentlessly on what’s next. Yet as you look ahead to each new venture or cutting-edge innovation, it’s important to maintain the financial foundation that helps power your success and helps you take advantage of potential opportunities as they arise. We have experience helping entrepreneurs and business owners balance their personal lives with their life’s work. We understand the challenges you face every day, whether managing your newly achieved success or gaining access to the liquidity you need as seed capital or for personal expenses. 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.

      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 rising 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.

      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.

      Private Equity and Hedge Fund Principals

      Your investment expertise as a hedge fund or private equity principal has likely resulted in substantial personal success. We have experience working with a select group of individuals in your industry. Drawing on our extensive capabilities and the broad resources of a global institution, we work to help you coordinate and manage your finances with the aim of simplifying the complexities of your financial life, including wealth transfer advice and guidance from Merrill and access to the banking convenience of Bank of America for your banking, lending and trust needs. We also provide access to Bank of America for your working capital needs in support of the day-to-day needs of your business.

      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.

      Global Institutional Consultant

      Through Bank of America Global Institutional Consulting, we offer a range of investment strategies to help manage the assets for nonprofit organizations, foundations, endowments, and corporate retirement and pension plans. The strategies and level of involvement depend on your needs and preferences, including traditional consulting, client-directed implementation or full, discretionary, Outsourced CIO services. Global Institutional Consultants work with your CFO, board of directors and investment committee to develop a tailored investment strategy that is consistent with your culture, goals, preferences and risk profile.

      "Bank of America" is a marketing name used by several Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”) businesses, including, but not limited to, the Retirement Services business and Global Institutional Consulting, which offers products and services for the benefit of institutional and ultra-high net worth clients.

      Global Institutional Consulting is part of the Global Wealth & Investment Management business of BofA Corp. Institutional Investments & Philanthropic Solutions (“II&PS”) is part of Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Trust and fiduciary services and other banking products are provided by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America, N.A. Global Institutional Consultants mentioned herein are registered representatives with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) and may assist you with investment products and services. The nature and degree of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and clients’ rights and Merrill’s obligations will differ depending upon the products and services actually provided.

      Banking activities may be performed by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Brokerage and investment advisory services are provided by wholly owned non-bank affiliates of BofA Corp., including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser and Member SIPC.

      Investment products:
      | Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
      MLPF&S makes available investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by
      companies that are affiliates of BofA Corp.

      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.