The Montalto Group
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
63 Copps Hill Road
Floor Gr
Ridgefield, CT 06877
(800) 937.0831
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Mission Statement
Whatever your personal goals may be, we will work together with you, one-on-one, to develop a personalized financial strategy designed to help you pursue your long-term goals.
Welcome

With its deep financial experience and shared personal commitment to create positive client experiences, The Montalto Group serves an affluent clientele from across the US – media and marketing professionals, physicians, nurses, researchers and health care executives, C-suite executives, architects, attorneys, successful entrepreneurs, wealthy families and “independent-minded” retirees.

The Montalto Group spends time listening to clients, applying a goals-based approach in which it gains a genuine appreciation of each client’s motivations and aspirations. As part of the discovery process, areas that may need fine-tuning are identified – cash flow, insurance coverage, trust considerations and documentation, along with investments, retirement planning and estate planning strategies.

Recognition
James Montalto
Managing Director, Senior Financial Advisor
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2020
Forbes "America"s Top Wealth Advisors"
Show more recognition
The Montalto Group
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2024
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
About Us
Philosophy

We believe the best financial approach is the one that helps you pursue your goals. That's why, from the start, we talk about your aspirations and encourage you to ask questions about issues that matter most to you. Calculating how to manage future health care expenses? College on the horizon? Considering the sale of a business or purchase of a home? Preparing to pass your wealth to future generations? It all starts with a plan intended to help you manage, grow, and preserve your wealth today, while also considering the impact it can have for years to come. With access to the investment insights of Merrill and banking solutions from Bank of America, We will work with you to develop an approach designed to help address your financial needs.

Residents and Fellows One on Ones
Meet Our Team
James Montalto,

CPFA™

Managing Director, Senior Financial Advisor
203.894.7853
Lisa Cerbone Montalto,

CFP®, CIMA®, CPFA™, CPWA®, CRPC™

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
203.894.7852
Levar Brown,

CFP®, CPFA™, CRPC™

First Vice President, Resident Director - Wealth Management Advisor
888.483.6147
Seera Walter,

CRPC™

Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Specialist
203.894.7876
Antonette Y Garris
No Officer Title, Wealth Management Client Associate - RDA
203.894.7856
Ann M Avesato
No Officer Title, Wealth Management Client Associate
203.894.7855
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.
Lauren Cummings
Wealth Management Banking Specialist
Merrill
Alison Kaplan
Wealth Management Lending Officer
Bank of America, N.A.
NMLS #23044
David W. Waldo
Employee Benefits Specialist
Bank of America, N.A.
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.
Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and Certified Investment Management Analyst®, CPWA® and Certified Private Wealth Advisor®. Use of CIMA®, and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst®, CPWA® and/or Certified Private Wealth Advisor® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for certification.