Michael Hollihan brings his experiences as an international financial advisor to an affluent clientele residing domestically and abroad. Michael has a disciplined approach and familiarity with opportunities in emerging markets with a focus on successful business owners and religious institutions.

“My education and work experience have taught me to read a company’s balance sheet, for example, and identify needs of debt or capital financing. This can prove especially valuable to business owners,” Michael explains. “I also call upon Bank of America on behalf of entrepreneurs seeking financing in capital markets to assist client's goals. Business owners’ personal wealth can be tied to their business and I need to help them manage both.”

Michael’s career took him from The Central Bank of Ecuador to an asset management firm prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2002. During that time, Michael gained extensive knowledge in the areas of global fixed Income and high yield debt, currencies, commodities, and alternative investments* in emerging markets.

Beyond managing clients’ portfolios, Michael helps clients explore their goals for succession planning and optimizing intergenerational wealth. In this respect, Michael collaborates with specialists at Merrill and with clients’ other advisors (including tax and legal professionals).

“I also remind clients that financial decisions they make now can affect family members for years to come,” That’s why I insist on talking with both spouses when discussing their financial goals. This breadth and depth of service is how I help clients grow enterprises and their personal wealth throughout the course of our relationship. Engaging with clients and appreciating what holds meaning in their lives are critical to managing intergenerational wealth and personal expectations,” Michael adds. “Clients deserve my best efforts and that requires putting my extensive experience to work for them.”

|Born and raised in Ecuador, Michael has held senior positions at The Central Bank of Ecuador and was the Principal at an asset management company in Miami that catered to wealthy individuals and banks, with a primary focus on emerging market, high yield debt. He joined Merrill in 2002.

Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Wisconsin and continued his studies in Economics at The University of South Carolina. Michael is fluent in English, Spanish, and German. Michael resides in Manhattan with his wife, Adriana.

* 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.
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.