Sean Kienzle,
Senior Vice President, Financial AdvisorNMLS #584574
Sean Kienzle is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of industry experience, he serves a diverse and dynamic clientele, focused primarily on high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families who are focused on asset preservation and legacy planning. An efficient and creative problem solver, he is dedicated to helping them optimize their wealth and addressing their often-sophisticated financial situations.
Additionally, Sean enjoys working with young professionals and their families who are building towards high levels of wealth and may not have the time, desire, or experience to properly plan and manage certain aspects of their financial lives. His caring, patient, and uniquely personalized approach seeks to educate clients so they can advance their financial objectives.
Analytically adept, Sean supports clients in making informed, objective decisions about their wealth, such as the timing of retirement, the sustainability of their spending, or the transfer of their legacy to successive generations. He integrates the extensive tools, technology, and research available through Merrill®, as well as the collaborative efforts of specialists throughout the firm, and clients’ attorneys, accountants, and other key professionals, to create customized solutions for clients and their families.
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Sean graduated from the University of Michigan with a dual major in economics and psychology. After graduation, Sean spent a year in Breckenridge, Colorado, before moving to Chicago in 2006 to begin his career as a Licensed Preferred Banker with Fifth Third Bank. In 2011, Sean was recruited to the Private Client Group at PNC Bank and became a licensed Financial Advisor in 2013. He transitioned to JP Morgan Private Bank as Private Banker in 2014 and joined Merrill as a Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor in 2020. He holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation.
Sean, his wife, and son reside in Lincoln Park (Chicago). In his spare time, he enjoys the arts, the outdoors, and sports. He is a member of Executives’ Club of Chicago and The Arts Club of Chicago. Passionate about volunteerism, Sean supports local organizations including Chicago Coalition for Family Building (Board Member), Future Founders, After School Matters, and Braven. He is a former associate board member of Literacy Chicago and the AIDS foundation of Chicago.
What type of clients do you work with?
Through my personal practice and trusted associates, I cover the entire wealth spectrum. The net worth of the clients I work with has steadily grown during my career, so I know the unique concerns that arise at all levels of wealth. I would welcome an introductory conversation to get to know your needs and how my team can best help.
My core personal clients tend to be successful families with, or building towards, high levels of wealth. My high and ultra-high net worth acumen helps them build & maintain their assets, address trust & estate planning, optimize for taxes, borrow effectively, and achieve their goals.
How and why did you become a financial advisor?
I love building relationships and advising passionate, successful people. This career allows me to do both, since it requires great people skills as well as the technical skills to execute. Getting to truly know my clients and help them achieve what's important to them puts a smile on my face every day.
My dad gave me a copy of the Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money & Investing when I was 14, and I read it cover to cover. I was hooked. My life and career path since then have been focused on this profession. I double majored in Economics and Psychology, which is a great mix for this career. I have spent over 16 years in financial advising, helping clients and honing my skills & experience.
What are your goals for when working with your clients?
My goals are my clients' goals. The most important service I provide them is to help discover what their goals are and how to best achieve them. That's why personalized wealth management is so important to my practice.
I have done my job when I create confidence for my clients, who know they have a thoughtful plan in place and a trusted advisor helping them make the right decisions.
What are the most frequent questions your clients ask?
"Am I doing the right things to make sure my family is going to be OK?" is by far the biggest question I hear. Answering this with planning and execution is the core of my practice.
Some other common questions I help answer are:
"Do I have enough to retire?"
"Are you a fiduciary?" & "How are you compensated?"
"How can I optimize taxes, now and for my heirs?"
"What Trust & Estate planning strategies should we be considering?"
"How can we best support our loved ones and charities, while making sure we still have enough?"
"What's the best way to pay for my child/grandchild's education?"
What do you think personally distinguishes you as an advisor?
I am honest, knowledgeable, and comprehensive. My practice is focused on advice, not sales, and we believe in delivering concierge service to our clients.
Dreaming of an early retirement? We'll help you understand what may be achievable
During this event, we will discuss:
- How to identify & prioritize your retirement goals and, importantly, evaluate if you have the financial resources to provide for them.
- Common retirement risks such as longevity, healthcare costs, withdrawal rates, investment & inflation risks – and ways you can manage these risks.
- Accessing retirement assets early, including from IRAs or qualified retirement plans like a 401(k).
- Unique and creative strategies that could help you retire earlier by saving & spending more effectively.
Dreaming of an early retirement? We'll help you understand what may be achievable
During this event, we will discuss:
- How to identify & prioritize your retirement goals and, importantly, evaluate if you have the financial resources to provide for them.
- Common retirement risks such as longevity, healthcare costs, withdrawal rates, investment & inflation risks – and ways you can manage these risks.
- Accessing retirement assets early, including from IRAs or qualified retirement plans like a 401(k).
- Unique and creative strategies that could help you retire earlier by saving & spending more effectively.
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.
