Chen & Associates

Investments

Our team brings decades of hands on investment experience across the capital markets. We are supported by the firm's industry leading research capabilities, alongside a team of highly skilled due diligence professionals. Our process starts with the families we work with at the center \- after carefully evaluating your overall financial picture, we will create a tailored strategy designed to help you pursue your goals. Our platform gives us access to some of the world's leading investment managers together with our own internal research based strategies. Throughout the process as well as part of our ongoing relationship, we will coordinate with your personal tax and estate planning professionals to help ensure your financial strategy is fully aligned with tax minimization considerations. We believe in education and transparency \- with your investment performance, capital preservation, and legacy top of mind, we will regularly review your investments and priorities to help ensure they remain aligned with your goals as well as for future generations. \*Institutional Investor magazine announced BofA Global Research as one of the Top Global Research Firms in 2023 based on surveys held throughout the year. The magazine creates rankings of the top research analysts in a wide variety of specializations, drawn from the choices of portfolio managers and other investment professionals at more than 1,000 firms. BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc ("BofAS") and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker\-dealer, [Member SIPC](http://www.sipc.org/), and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. [Learn more about the methodology at Institutional Investor](https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/section/research/top\-global\-research\-firms/2023). Rankings and recognition from Institutional Investor 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.

Focus On

We believe that financial success can be achieved when you're able to make decisions with your wealth that take into account trade\-offs that can help you reach personally meaningful goals. Whether you're planning your retirement, saving to buy a home or funding a child's education, the process begins by getting to know you and how you feel about the following: • **Health**: Managing healthcare expenses, now and in the future • **Home**: Upsizing, downsizing, remodeling or buying a vacation home • **Family**: Taking care of your family and other people in your life • **Leisure**: Spending your free time in meaningful ways • **Giving**: Volunteering, mentoring others and giving to charities • **Work**: Working in retirement, selling or starting a business • **Finance**: Bringing it all together and defining your financial goals Success will be measured by the amount of progress you are making toward reaching your goals and making thoughtfully\-considered adjustments as life events and conditions warrant.

Business Owners

With a combined 35 years of industry experience advising a range of corporations, endowments, entrepreneurs and business\-owners, our team has a deep understanding of the critical role having a well\-designed and organized retirement and succession plan can play in attracting and retaining the best employees, meeting fidicuary obligations, and supporting employees, managers and leadership with their own respective career and retirement goals alongside your business. With that in mind, we can help address various aspects of defined\-benefit and defined\-contribution plan design and implementation: **Assessment** \- we can work with you to understand and evaluate your business requirements and assess the various options for plans and programs that may be appropriate for your own organization **Investment Analysis and Menu Selection** \- we can assist in developing a structure for maintaining and reviewing an investment menu for your program **Employee Education** \- we can help conduct enrollment meetings, educational sessions and 1\-on\-1 meetings to help ensure your employees and leadership are supported

Personalized planning

**Helping you create a personalized plan** At Merrill, we go beyond the traditional role of an advisor. * Your goals, concerns and attitude about investing are the foundation of your plan. * We actively listen and provide personalized advice — ensuring we understand what matters most to you and your family. * We're committed to creating a personalized plan that evolves with you to help you live well today while preparing for the future.

Team and resources

**Giving you access to our teams and solutions** Your advisor is one part of an experienced team dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Acting as your single point of contact, your advisor provides personalized strategies and connects you with: * Bank of America specialists, such as mortgage or trust professionals * Timely insights from BofA Global Research1 to help you stay informed and navigate ever\-changing markets * A [full suite](https://www.ml.com/solutions/all.html) of Merrill investing and Bank of America banking solutions ^1^~BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS") and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker\-dealer, [Member SIPC](http://www.sipc.org/), and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp.").~

Recognition