SBR Group
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
200 E Franklin St
Monterey CA 93940
(831) 264.9273
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Our highly credentialed team brings deep knowledge and strategic guidance to successful entrepreneurs and business owners — helping them turn hard-earned success into lasting financial security through thoughtful retirement planning.
SBR Group
Welcome

At The SBR Group, we focus on serving business owners, agricultural executives, farmers, physicians, attorneys, and their families across Salinas, Carmel, Gilroy, and Central California. Our clients share an entrepreneurial mindset and look to us for professional, proactive guidance as they transition from building wealth to enjoying it in retirement.
We focus on the intersection of business and personal financial planning. Many clients rely on us for retirement planning, 401(k) and defined benefit plan services, and tailored strategies designed to preserve assets, generate consistent cash flow, and optimize for tax efficiency. We currently assist more than 100 business owners with plan design and implementation.
With over 70 years of combined experience and industry credentials including CPFA®, C(k)P®, and CFP® certifications, we bring a planning-based approach to investment management and retirement strategies. We ask the right questions to help clients define the purpose of their wealth and align their financial plans with their goals for the future.
Our multi-generational team is structured to support clients and their families across all stages of life. We measure our success not just by the assets we oversee, but by the impact we make on the lives we serve.

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About Us
Guidance You Can Build On

At The SBR Group, we believe wealth is about more than numbers — it's about building a life, a legacy, and a future. Our role is to help entrepreneurs and their families protect what they've built, enjoy what they've earned, and pass on what matters most.

Proactive Advice, Personal Service

We don't wait for challenges to arise — we anticipate them. Through proactive, planning-driven advice, we help you stay ahead of decisions and opportunities, with the confidence to move forward.

A 360° View of Your Financial World

When you work with us, you can expect:

  • A comprehensive view of your financial life, including investments, liabilities, tax exposure, insurance needs, Social Security, and estate planning strategies.
  • Clear, straightforward advice to help make complex decisions simpler.
  • Streamlined access to Merrill's deep investment resources and the full banking services of Bank of America, N.A.
  • Family-focused planning to support wealth transfer, teach sound financial habits to the next generation, and help secure your family's future.
Planning Across Generations

We're here to help you do more than preserve your wealth — we're here to help you create a life filled with impact, meaning, and memories.

*Merrill Life Agency's California License Number 0522776

Meet Our Team
Richard Soares,

CFP®, CPFA®

Senior Vice President, Senior Consultant
831.264.9425
Craig Brinton,

CFP®, CPFA®

Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor
831.574.9449
Matthew Ryan,

CPFA®, CRPC™

First Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor
831.264.9271
Gloria Saisho
Officer, Wealth Management Client Associate
831.264.9273
Lorena E Nitzschke
Officer, Wealth Management Client Associate
831.264.9170
HARLON  JOHNSON
HARLON JOHNSON
Officer, Wealth Management Client Associate
831.264.9464
Additional Resources
The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.
Yeraldy Hurtado
Wealth Management Banking Specialist
Merrill
David Rubalcava
Wealth Strategies Advisor
Shanan Resop
Wealth Management Lending Officer
Bank of America, N.A.
NMLS #633098
About Merrill

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.

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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and the CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, CRPC™, and the CRPC™ logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.