Bill Applegate has been helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate financial decisions since 2001. He joined Merrill in 2017 as a Financial Advisor, bringing more than two decades of industry experience to his clients.
A graduate of the University of Southern California, Bill earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and participated in USC's Entrepreneur Program, gaining valuable insight into both personal and business financial planning.
Bill is passionate about helping clients define what matters most and develop strategies designed to align their financial resources with their goals. He leverages the extensive capabilities of Merrill together with the banking and lending resources of Bank of America to deliver a comprehensive wealth management experience.
A Newport Beach native, Bill remains actively involved in the local community and supports organizations including Hoag Hospital and The Living Desert. Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, hiking, playing guitar, and exploring the outdoors with his dog, Bella.
Our team operates as a concierge wealth management practice — a five-person team that oversees entrusted assets for a select group of clients across 20 states, with one defining principle: every client relationship receives the attention it actually requires.
We serve business owners, law firm partners, corporate executives, and financially independent women who have built real wealth and want an advisor who engages with their situation at the level it deserves. Not a quarterly call and a model portfolio — but a team that knows your full financial picture, coordinates across every dimension of it, and is available when decisions need to be made.
We focus on the planning decisions that sit alongside the portfolio — equity compensation strategy, business transition planning, retirement income for a single income stream, estate planning strategies that reflect how clients actually live. The investment account is one part of the picture. We work with all of it. More importantly, the clients who have been with us the longest tell us the same thing: they wished they had started the conversation sooner.
If you are wondering whether our team is the right fit, the easiest way to find out is a 30-minute conversation. Use the Contact Us button above to reach us directly.
Serving clients nationwide from our Newport Beach office.
(949) 721-6168 | William.Applegate@ml.com
Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life
The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.
