Michael Chrys

Michael has been in the securities business since 1981. He currently holds the position of Managing Director and Merrill Institutional Consultant professional at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has earned this position because of his outstanding service to his clients as well as his extensive knowledge of the financial markets.

Michael has been recognized over the years by making it onto over a dozen “top advisor” lists.
He was named to the Barron’s "Top 1,200 Financial Advisors" list, in 2025 for the 9th consecutive year ¹⁽*Published on March 7, 2025. Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2024)  and “Top 100 Institutional Consulting Teams" list as a member of the Chrys Group from 2021-2025. ² (*published annually in April. Rankings based on data as of December 31).
In 2015 and 2016 Michael was included in Barron's National ranking of "Top 30 Institutional Consultants”³ (*published annually in April. Ranking based on data as of December 31 of prior year) and named to
Financial Times "Top 400 Financial Advisers" (FT 400) list in 2019.⁴ (*published on April 18, 2019. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2018)
From 2021-2025 Michael was also named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors”⁵ (*Published annually Jan- April.  Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year.)
Most recently, Michael was named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list 2026 and 2025 (*Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year*)* as a member of the Chrys Group.⁶

His main focus and proficiency has been consulting to institutional accounts, primarily Taft Hartley pension, welfare, and annuity funds. Utilizing his extensive training and ERISA experience, with the help of our Consulting Services Group, Mike is able to provide access to investment policy statement services, as well as successfully find the country’s top money managers and oversee these managers and accounts on a regular basis. Mr. Chrys also services the financial needs of several foundations, corporations and high net worth individuals.

Michael earned the designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) in 2000, awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute™, in conjunction with the prestigious Wharton Business School at University of Pennsylvania. Ongoing educational classes and industry conferences are attended annually by Mr. Chrys.

Michael holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University. FINRA registrations held include Series 7, 63, 66, 3, 9 and 10 as well as the NYS Life & Health Insurance License. Mr. Chrys also maintains an Instrument Multi-Engine Private Pilots’ License.

*Merrill Institutional Consulting™ (MIC) is part of Global Wealth and Investment Management (GWIM), the wealth and investment management division of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”), and offers products and services for the benefit of institutional and ultra‐high net worth clients through dually registered representatives of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S“ or “Merrill”) who can provide brokerage and investment advisory services. The nature and degree of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and clients’ rights and MLPF&S’s obligations will differ depending upon the products and services actually provided. Banking products, services and activities are offered by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. MLPF&S and Bank of America, N.A. are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation.
MLPF&S is a dually registered broker‐dealer and investment adviser and Member SIPC. MLPF&S makes available investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of BofA Corp.

1 Source: Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor.

2 Source: 2025 Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” list. Opinions are Barron’s who evaluated advisors with a minimum of seven years financial services experience and employed at their current firm for at least one year. Ranking spots determined by each state's population and wealth. Other quantitative and qualitative measures include assets under management, revenues generated for the firm, quality of practice, regulatory records, internal company documents and 100-plus points of advisor-provided data. Rankings do not reflect any one client's experience, endorse any advisor and do not guarantee future investment success. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
³Source: The Barron’s “Top 50 Institutional Consultants” list, published annually in April. Ranking based on data as of December 31 of prior year. The Barron’s “Top 50 Institutional Consultants” ranking evaluated advisors on a range of criteria, including institutional investment assets overseen by the advisor and his/her team, the revenue generated by those assets, the number of clients served, and the number of team members and their regulatory records. Also considered were the advanced professional designations and accomplishment represented on the team. Barron’s does not receive compensation from advisors, participating firms and their affiliates, or the media in exchange for rankings. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Barron’s is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
⁴Source: Financial Times “400 Top Financial Advisers” list, published on April 18, 2019. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2018.
The Financial Times “400 Top Financial Advisers” (FT 400) list is an independent listing produced by the Financial Times. The FT 400 is based on data gathered from firms and verified by broker-dealer home offices, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each adviser’s performance in six primary areas, including assets under management, asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials and accessibility as identified by the FT. Neither the brokerages nor the advisers pay a fee to the Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 400. Rankings and recognition from Financial Times are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the adviser.
⁵Source: *2025 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). SHOOK’s rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client's experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

6 Source:  Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.* 
Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams”
*Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Forbes are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor.