Darren Schwartz

Darren Schwartz works with individuals, families, and business owners to help grow, preserve, and transfer wealth through thoughtful, tax-aware financial planning and investment management. His approach is centered on building durable, long-term strategies that align investment decisions with each client’s broader financial and personal goals.

Darren takes a highly collaborative approach, working closely with clients and their outside professionals—including CPAs and attorneys—to develop coordinated plans that integrate portfolio management, cash-flow planning, trust and estate considerations, and risk management. Through Merrill, his clients have access to institutional-caliber investment management, customized municipal bond portfolios, tax-managed equity strategies, and comprehensive banking and lending solutions.

Since 2003, Darren has helped clients navigate changing markets, liquidity events, and major life transitions. He joined the Merrill Private Wealth Management Group in 2008 and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, CRPC™ and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor®, CPFA® designations.

Darren has been recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State Wealth Advisor in 2023, 2024, and 2025 (Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year).

He holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations, as well as Life and Health Insurance licenses.

A native of Southern California, Darren lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and two children.
*Any information presented in connection with BofA Global Research is general in nature and is not intended to provide personal investment advice. The information does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person who may receive it. Investors should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized. 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, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. BofA Global Research does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision.

*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, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Learn more about the methodology at Institutional Investor. 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.

*Merrill Life Agency's California License Number 0522776

*Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK^® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). SHOOK’s rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client’s experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.
I follow the deep-seated Merrill tradition of participating in the communities we serve. This drives my interest in spending time volunteering with organizations in our community.