Gregory Kort

Helping Business Owners Navigate the Business Sale Process | 30+ Years Experience | Merrill

I work with business owners who are preparing for or actively navigating the sale of their company, providing steady guidance through each phase of the process. With more than **30 years of experience** working with business owners, families, and professionals, my role is to help bring clarity, structure, and perspective at a time when decisions are complex and timelines are moving quickly. I begin by understanding each client's goals—financial, personal, and family—and how the transaction fits into the broader context of their life beyond the business. From there, I help clients think through the financial implications of a sale before and during the transaction, working alongside their attorneys, accountants, and deal advisors to ensure decisions remain aligned as details evolve. Through Merrill and the capabilities of Bank of America, I help clients address the financial responsibilities that often accompany a business sale, including personal wealth planning, investment strategy, liquidity and concentration management, and banking considerations such as cash management, credit, and transition financing. Above all, my approach is shaped by experience. I focus on helping clients move through the sale process with confidence—so the value they've built over decades of ownership supports long‑term goals, family priorities, and a well‑planned next chapter after the sale.

My Approach: Guiding Business Owners Through the Business Sale Process | 30+ Years Experience | Merrill & Bank of America

My approach is to help business owners move through the business sale process with clarity and confidence by combining personal guidance with the full capabilities of Merrill and Bank of America. With more than 30 years of experience, I focus on helping owners understand how each financial decision fits into the larger picture—before, during, and after a transaction. Using the wealth management platform at Merrill, I help clients prepare personally for liquidity by addressing investment strategy, diversification, concentration risk, and long‑term planning well in advance of closing. As transaction details evolve, I serve as a steady point of coordination alongside attorneys, accountants, and deal teams to help ensure financial decisions remain aligned with personal and family goals. Through the banking capabilities of Bank of America, I help clients address the practical financial needs that often accompany a sale, including cash management, credit and lending solutions, and transition or bridge financing where appropriate. These tools allow clients to manage liquidity efficiently and maintain flexibility throughout the process. Rather than focusing solely on the transaction, my role is to guide clients through the entire transition—using experience, perspective, and the combined resources of Merrill and Bank of America to help turn business value into long‑term financial confidence and a well‑planned next chapter.

Merrill & Bank of America Capabilities

Selling a business involves far more than the transaction itself. Merrill and Bank of America provide a broad set of wealth and banking capabilities that support business owners **before, during, and after a sale**, helping ensure the financial outcome aligns with long‑term personal and family goals. ### **Pre‑Sale \& Personal Readiness** Through Merrill's wealth management platform, business owners can prepare personally for liquidity well before a transaction occurs. This includes: * Personal wealth planning tied to sale proceeds * Investment strategy and diversification planning * Concentration‑risk analysis related to business ownership * Scenario modeling to understand post‑sale financial outcomes This preparation helps owners clarify what they need from a sale and how the transaction fits into their long‑term financial picture. ### **During the Sale Process** As transaction details evolve, Merrill helps business owners stay financially organized and aligned by: * Coordinating alongside attorneys, accountants, and transaction advisors * Helping owners evaluate liquidity outcomes and timing of proceeds * Planning for short‑term cash needs and balance‑sheet transitions * Managing investment considerations as assets move from closely held business value to liquid wealth While Merrill does not execute the sale itself, the firm plays an important role in helping owners make informed decisions as the process unfolds. ### **Banking \& Credit Capabilities** Through Bank of America, clients have access to banking resources that often become critical during a business sale, including: * Cash management solutions for pre‑ and post‑close liquidity * Credit and lending solutions secured by personal or business assets * Transition or bridge financing when timing gaps arise * Ongoing personal and family banking support following a sale These tools help provide flexibility and continuity throughout the transition. ### **Post‑Sale Transition** After the transaction, Merrill focuses on helping business owners transition from ownership to personal wealth by: * Implementing long‑term investment and income strategies * Coordinating estate, legacy, and family planning considerations * Helping align financial resources with lifestyle, philanthropic, or next‑chapter goals *** ** * ** *** ### **How These Capabilities Work Together** The combination of Merrill's wealth management experience and Bank of America's banking capabilities allows business owners to approach a sale with **structure, flexibility, and confidence**—not just at closing, but well beyond it.

What I Focus On

I focus on helping business owners navigate the business sale process with clarity and confidence—especially during the periods when decisions feel complex, timelines are compressed, and the stakes are personal. With more than 30 years of experience, my primary focus areas include: * **Preparing owners for a sale** by helping them understand how a transaction fits into their broader financial, personal, and family goals * **Providing steady guidance during the sale process**, helping owners stay focused, organized, and aligned as details evolve * **Translating business value into personal wealth**, addressing liquidity, diversification, and long‑term planning needs * **Coordinating financial considerations alongside trusted advisors**, so decisions remain intentional rather than reactive * **Helping owners transition beyond the sale**, with a clear plan for life after ownership Supported by the resources of Merrill and the banking capabilities of Bank of America, my focus is not just on the transaction—but on guiding business owners through the entire process so what they've built supports their next chapter with confidence and purpose.

Personalized planning

**Helping you create a personalized plan** At Merrill, we go beyond the traditional role of an advisor. * Your goals, concerns and attitude about investing are the foundation of your plan. * We actively listen and provide personalized advice — ensuring we understand what matters most to you and your family. * We're committed to creating a personalized plan that evolves with you to help you live well today while preparing for the future.

Team and resources

**Giving you access to our teams and solutions** Your advisor is one part of an experienced team dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Acting as your single point of contact, your advisor provides personalized strategies and connects you with: * Bank of America specialists, such as mortgage or trust professionals * Timely insights from BofA Global Research1 to help you stay informed and navigate ever\-changing markets * A [full suite](https://www.ml.com/solutions/all.html) of Merrill investing and Bank of America banking solutions ^1^~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](http://www.sipc.org/), and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp.").~

Recognition