The Warren Group

Who We Work With

We partner with a select group of individuals and families who value thoughtful advice, long\-term relationships, and a disciplined approach to managing complexity. Our clients often come to us at pivotal moments, seeking a trusted team to help guide important financial decisions and align their wealth with what matters most. ***Business Owners \& Entrepreneurs*** We guide and advise business owners at every stage—from growth and expansion to succession and exit planning. Whether preparing for a liquidity event, the sale of the business itself, or managing wealth after a sale, we help navigate the unique challenges that come with building and transitioning a business, leveraging our investment bank's capabilities and key partnerships. ***Multi\-Generational Family Offices*** We support families in preserving and transferring wealth across generations. Through thoughtful planning and ongoing guidance, we help align financial strategies with family values, legacy goals, and long\-term stewardship. ***Liquidity Event Clients (Pre\- \& Post\-Sale)*** We provide comprehensive guidance before and after major liquidity events. From pre\-transaction planning to post\-sale wealth structuring, we help clients make informed decisions during these critical transitions. ***Private Wealth \& Ultra\-High\-Net\-Worth Clients*** Through our Private Wealth capabilities, we deliver highly customized strategies for clients with complex financial needs. By leveraging a team of specialists and the resources of a global institution, we address investment management, wealth transfer, and advanced planning considerations with a coordinated approach.

Capabilities

*A thoughtful approach for founders, executives, and family offices navigating major liquidity events, private companies, and wealth that spans generations.* **Executive \& Liquidity Event Strategies** *The Private\-to\-Public Transition:* Going public is more than a milestone. It is a pivotal wealth\-planning opportunity. We help executives navigate lock\-up periods, implement 10b5\-1 plans, and optimize equity compensation strategies, transforming concentrated holdings into a diversified foundation designed to support both current goals and future generations. *Managing Concentrated Positions:* A single stock position can be both a cornerstone of wealth and a source of risk. We help manage that concentration with precision, employing tax\-efficient diversification, exchange funds, and sophisticated hedging strategies to help build a more resilient portfolio. *Selling a Private Company:* The value of a business sale is often determined long before the transaction closes. Working closely with our investment banking partners, we help business owners prepare for, execute, and close the sale of their business while coordinating estate and tax planning strategies, including specialized expertise in Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS), to help maximize after\-tax outcomes and preserve wealth across generations. **Capital Solutions** *Capital Formation \& Financing:* As your business evolves, access to capital can be just as important as operational performance. We help business owners navigate debt and equity financing, working capital solutions, and corporate credit facilities, aligning business objectives with personal and family wealth goals. **Wealth Structure \& Access** *Family Office Services:* From investment management and estate planning services to philanthropy and family governance, we help oversee every aspect of your financial life through a cohesive, tailored strategy. *Custom Lending \& Liquidity:* Access flexible financing options from Bank of America designed to meet your unique needs, including securities\-based lending, unsecured lines of credit, customized mortgage solutions, and specialized financing strategies. *Access to Private Market Opportunities:* Eligible qualified clients may have the opportunity to invest in select late\-stage private companies through Bank of America's Private Market Opportunities (PMO) platform, providing access to unique investment opportunities. ~Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.~ ~Some or all alternative investments may not be in the best interests for certain investors. Certain alternative investments carry significant risk and are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as mutual funds and other traditional investments. For these reasons, access to alternative investments may be limited to investors who are designated as sophisticated, high\-net\-worth investors.~ ~Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner \& Smith Incorporated ("Merrill") offers M\&A solutions for midsize companies with $2 million+ of trailing EBITDA. Investment banking boutiques in the Private Sales Referral Network are registered broker\-dealers with the SEC. Each operates independently, is not an agent of Bank of America, N.A or Merrill, and will be the exclusive provider of investment banking services.~

How We Work

Every client situation is unique, which is why we begin with listening and understanding. Our disciplined four\-step process allows us to build lasting relationships and deliver customized strategies that evolve alongside your life and financial goals. **1. Understand** We begin by gaining a thorough understanding of your family, business interests, financial circumstances, goals, and concerns. Through meaningful conversations, we seek to understand what matters most to you, both today and for future generations, so that every recommendation is aligned with your unique priorities. **2. Coordinate** We take a collaborative, white\-glove approach to wealth management by working closely with you and your trusted professionals, including attorneys, accountants, and other advisors. By bringing the right resources and expertise together, we help ensure important financial, tax, estate, and investment decisions are coordinated and aligned with your overall strategy. **3. Implement** Based on our understanding of your objectives, we develop and execute a customized wealth strategy tailored to your needs. Whether the focus is investment management, retirement planning, business transitions, philanthropy, or legacy planning, we help put a thoughtful and actionable plan into place. **4. Review** We believe wealth management is an ongoing process, not a one\-time event. We regularly monitor progress, evaluate changes in your circumstances, and assess evolving market conditions. Through proactive communication and periodic reviews, we make adjustments as needed to help keep you on track toward your long\-term goals.

Insight

**Insight** In a life with significant wealth, the financial decisions you make can often have a cascading effect — impacting you, your family, your business and even the greater community. We understand the nuances of these challenges and can help give you the insight you need to navigate important conversations and make more informed decisions. * Access [information and ideas](https://www.pbig.ml.com/latest\-thinking/research\-insights.html) to help you pursue your goals * Tap into the knowledge of specialists who work closely with your Merrill Private Wealth advisor

Simplicity

**Simplicity** Wealth should liberate you, freeing you to pursue passions and interests. Managing the ever\-increasing complexity of your financial life, however, can quickly become all\-consuming. At Merrill, we work to help transform the way you interact with your wealth by distilling that complexity into clear findings and thoughtful guidance, grounded in a personalized plan. What's more, as a Merrill Private Wealth Management client, you have access to a [full range of solutions and services](https://www.pbig.ml.com/solutions.html) designed to help you address the challenges and opportunities significant wealth can bring.

Perspective

**Perspective** Considerable wealth requires a much longer\-term vision — a commitment to maintaining your wealth throughout your lifetime and for generations to come. We're familiar with the demands that kind of time horizon puts on your needs. With our diverse knowledge and experience, we can help safeguard you against reactionary thinking while identifying opportunities in the future. Plus, as a client, you have access to our dedicated Private Wealth Services, including: * [Merrill Center for Family Wealth](https://www.pbig.ml.com/solutions/merrill\-center\-for\-family\-wealth.html)^®^ * [Strategic Wealth Advisory Group](https://www.pbig.ml.com/solutions/strategic\-wealth\-advisory\-group.html) * [Family Office Services](https://www.pbig.ml.com/solutions/family\-office.html)

Recognition