Patrick Foran
Your Financial Journey
You might have noticed that oceans and markets are scary. Calm one day and a wild ride the next.
What do you need before it gets rough?
Be prepared, have a plan and a skilled navigator onboard.
If you are navigating a life transition, or want control of your long-term financial journey, let's build a plan to pursue your goals. To help achieve a smooth financial journey, the plan we create will account for potential setbacks and choices you might make, such as retirement age.
Below, you can discover information on my process that enables clients and I to get underway with confidence. One may not know all the ways Merrill and I help clients.
Meet Patrick
I love being a Merrill Financial Advisor. Waking up knowing "today I will get to help good people do great things."
As a young man, I had the honor of attending and graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
I was trained to be a life saver, sailor, and navigator. I’m glad we learned to navigate the world using paper – charts so big they needed a special table. Using small-scale charts to see the whole trip, and large-scale charts for each part of the journey, gave us the big picture, details on the best route, and the dangers to be avoided.
Now, in the world of screens, I keep the big picture in mind when looking at a phone screen to navigate a road trip, or computer screens to select a client’s asset allocations so they reach their long-term goals.
After serving in the Coast Guard as a Navigator on a buoytender and then Planner in an Aids to Navigation Office, one thing was obvious. Being a “buoy guru” was not impressing civilian employers. I changed course. Invested in myself. Earned a Duke MBA. After MBA graduation I worked for a railroad, a medical device company, and then in MBA admissions. While working for the University of Florida, I earned my 3rd degree, a UF Master of Health Administration.
I loved working for MBA Programs because I got to be part of helping good people, get better, have great careers. Career goals are part of life goals. People work for money and for meaning. The best careers have both. I have both as a Merrill Financial Advisor.
Beyond work-work, I am an advocate for civic participation, physical fitness, and fun. My community involvement includes The Chamber of Commerce, VFW, Gator Booster Clubs, and rolling in parades on the Boatbike. I use healthy eating, cardio, and weight training as tools to build the energy needed to remain a resource to my family, clients, and community.
I look forward to helping you get underway, on the way, to reach your goals.
1st Appointment – I learn about your math and meaning. Where you are. Where you want to go.
Math - I gather your financials, assets, and liabilities (balance sheet), cash flow and spending (income statement), and potential financial changes. I'll ask about your comfort with investment risk, so your plan aligns with your preferences.
Meaning – I learn about your goals, even those without a dollar value. Goals with dollar values include travel, retirement age, retirement income, funding education, buying a home, creating a legacy, and a goal I have opposing feelings about, sinking money into a boat.
Though 1st Appointments normally run an hour, I block out an hour and a half, just in case. In-person is preferable, if not possible, we can meet via phone, Webex, or Zoom.
2nd Appointment – I present your plan. The math to reach your meaning. The path to get there.
The plan presented will provide a clear course to pursue your goals.
The plan will explain the math on where you stand in relation to your goals and recommendations to improve the math of your future outcomes. We will utilize Merrill's Chief Investment Office's Capital Market Assumptions to help project your future wealth.
Though 2nd Appointments normally run about 45 minutes, I block out more time if needed because your plan is important. In-person is best, but we can meet via phone, Webex, or Zoom.
*Note – When things are complex, appointments can be extended, or additional appointments added.
*The Chief Investment Office (CIO) provides thought leadership on wealth management, investment strategy and global markets; portfolio management solutions; due diligence; and solutions oversight and data analytics. CIO viewpoints are developed for Bank of America Private Bank, a division of Bank of America, N.A., ("Bank of America") and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S" or "Merrill"), a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp.").
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.
