Eric Hutz

Eric Hutz is a Senior Financial Advisor and Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Since beginning his career in 1999 in retail banking, he has held nearly every frontline and leadership role—from Teller to Branch Manager—developing a deep understanding of client needs, lending, and long‑term financial planning. His background includes loan origination, small business banking, and private client advisory, providing him with a well‑rounded perspective on both personal and business finances.
Eric became a Financial Advisor in 2014, serving the South San Diego market and eventually expanding his practice to support clients across California and throughout the country. He is known for his attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the genuine care he brings to every client relationship. Eric takes the time to understand each client’s goals, builds financial strategies tailored to their lifestyle, and helps them pursue both financial and personal aspirations. His philosophy is grounded in compassion, relatability, strategic insight, and a non‑judgmental approach, viewing financial planning as a collaborative, long‑term journey.
Committed to professional excellence, Eric has earned several industry credentials, including:
Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, CPFA® – NAPA, September 2025
Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA) – Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, October 2025
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) – Exit Planning Institute, April 2023
Senior Portfolio Advisor in the Investment Advisory Program– Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, May 2021
A San Diego native, Eric grew up in a military family with a Navy father and a mother who spent more than two decades in retail. He is a graduate of San Diego High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, San Diego.
Eric lives in Chula Vista with his wife, Ana, and their two children, Nicolas and Victoria. Outside of work, he enjoys practicing yoga at his wife’s fitness studio, discovering new dining spots around San Diego, traveling internationally, and spending meaningful time with his family.

^{*A Senior Portfolio Advisor can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis custom investment strategies, selecting from a wide range of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios and third-party investment strategies.}