We Serve Clients By: Being Strategic Thinkers That Help Get Things Done The families we serve are predominantly self-made people from varied backgrounds and share at least one important characteristic -- they are all too busy to do it themselves. We use our ability to anticipate potential upcoming circumstances, identify issues they hadn't thought about, provide proper advice and work hard to get things done so they can go on with their lives. Providing A Tailored Approach and Innovative Strategies Our process goes beyond just investing. We devote a great deal of time to quantify each individual's risk tolerance. We focus on outcome-based objectives to help build a path toward accomplishing your personalized goals. Additionally, we offer customized banking, including credit and lending solutions, with alternative sources of collateral, through Bank of America. Connectivity And Unmatched Access to Resources We deliver the proper resources, as needed, from relationships built throughout the years. We have a network of experienced in-house and third-party strategists, analysts, investment bankers, family office service providers, family education and philanthropy advisors; as well as trust, estate and legacy planning professionals. We offer clients a breadth of strategies, premier customer service and financial tools based on their unique circumstances. No matter what your goals may be, we begin by defining and prioritizing your financial goals based on the following seven areas: Health: Managing healthcare expenses now and in the future Home: Upsizing, downsizing, remodeling or buying a vacation home Family: Take care of your family and other people in your life Leisure: Spending your free time in meaningful ways Giving: Volunteering, mentoring others and giving to charities Work: Working in retirement, selling or starting a business Finance: Bringing it all together by defining your financial goals We also draw on our industry knowledge and experience to offer advice and guidance for strategies around the following: Risk management Trust and estate planning services Wealth management Providing access to Bank of America for credit and banking needs Biography Mike Barakat joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2012. His focus is on developing strategies and providing advice for individuals, their families and their businesses by understanding their short- and long-term financial objectives. By understanding their goals, Mike is able to provide tailored strategies to help them accomplish their goals in the most efficient manner. Mike primarily works with private equity and financial services partners, corporate executives and medical professionals. Mike holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is member of the CFA® Society of Chicago. He is a graduate of Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, holding degrees in Finance and Accounting. Mike is an avid Chicago and Hoosiers sports fan. He grew up locally in Naperville, IL and currently resides in the River North neighborhood with his wife, Deanna, his son, Adam and his daughter, Leila.     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.