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The Hill Country Group
607 W 3rd Street
Austin TX 78701
(512) 397.1844
(512) 397.1844
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Mission Statement
Shift the paradigm around financial planning and redefine wealth management.
Welcome
Delivering Merrill's global footprint through a boutique culture, The Hill Country Group at Merrill lives out our mission every day, to shift the paradigm around financial planning and redefine wealth management. Our team has over 100 years of experience with the world's top financial institutions, including JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, UBS, Fidelity, US Bank, Edward Jones, Morgan Stanley, and now Merrill. Utilizing the best-practices from each, we crafted a top-down, process-driven system that fuels our proactive approach to financial planning, implementation, ongoing service and support.
Supporting a strong retirement plan and helping to keep it on track
The retirement and financial needs of your employees, as well as the responsibility those needs create for you as an employer, are important to you. We offer the solutions your employees may need to help pursue their financial goals and maintain financial wellness. Our array of resources and experience is designed to help meet your employees’ financial needs in ways that make sense for your company — strategically, operationally and financially. You and your employees will have a team of experienced and passionate advocates for financial wellness on your side. Our team will make your priorities their own so you can focus more on your business.
For Plan Sponsors
Your role as a plan sponsor is more challenging than ever, and it’s not something to face alone. We bring the resources and thought leadership from Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates to bear in helping you provide a strong, healthy and fully compliant program that runs smoothly, engages your employees and makes your job easier. We can help you focus on the areas that may be helpful to plan success, including Fiduciary Advisory Services 1 and Education and Plan Services 2 appropriate for your plan.
Fiduciary Advisory Services1
Through Fiduciary Advisory Services, we can help you design and maintain an investment menu.
Investment Policy Statement (IPS)3
Comprehensive due diligence processes to identify appropriate investments
Proactive delivery – online and by your designated advisor – of investment performance reporting every quarter
Report providing fund analysis and market trends.
1 Fiduciary Advisory Services is an investment advisory program sponsored by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”). Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory and other services. There are important differences between brokerage and investment advisory services, including the type of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences, particularly when determining which service or services to select. Please refer to the Fiduciary Advisory Services Brochure for information on the program including a description of the series and related fees.
2 Education and Plan Services are non-fiduciary services required for Advisor Alliance clients and optional for MLII clients.
3 IPS service is not available for FAS Discretionary. The plan sponsor is responsible for the approval and final adoption of the IPS.
Recognition
Dustin Elliott
Managing Director, Senior Financial Advisor
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2024
(Published on April 3, 2024. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2023.)
Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State", 2022
(Published on August 3, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.)
Show More Recognitions
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors", 2024
(Published on April 3, 2024. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2023.)
Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State", 2022
(Published on August 3, 2022. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2022.)
Forbes "America's Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors", 2021
(Published on September 21, 2021. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2021.)
Show more recognition
The Hill Country Group
Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams", 2023-2024
(Published annually in January. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of prior year.)
About Us
Time, Talent and Treasure
THCG was built with intention from the ground up, seeking out first round draft picks to lead each critical discipline in a holistic wealth managment framework. Our clients benefit from the collaboration across the verticals, with the following team members leading:
- Dustin - Team Lead, Asset Allocation & Credit
- Andrew - Implementation & Insurance
- David - Institutions & Endowments (401k, Stock Plans, Corp Benefits)
- Alex - M&A, Entrepreneurship, Pre & Post Transaction Planning
- Katelyn - Financial Planning & Chief of Staff
- Abby - Private Alternatives & Marketing
- Hannah - Brand Management, Events & Client Service
- Mandy - Wealth Structure, Estate Planning & Client Service
- Ana - Client Solutions
- Arun - Next Gen
The Wealth Management industry has gone through a number of major paradigm shifts in the 21st century including the rise of financial planning, the shift from brokerage to advisory business, active management via mutual funds to passive indexing through ETFs. Today, our team continues to harness change:
- Direct indexing with tax-loss harvesting can add after tax alpha annually while reducing concentration risk and mitigating significant future taxable events
- There is a reverse shift in the race to IPO – as today more companies source capital and growth from the private markets – and access to those markets through cutting edge alternatives platform and dedicated resource is critical
- Artificial Intelligence has very much arrived, albeit in the early innings, and we believe will provide never before seen real time potential solutions for teams who embrace it at the few firms who have the capacity, resources and commitment to develop and implement safely and effectively
- Individual financial consultants reacting to client requests have given way to strategic wealth management teams proactively serving multi-generational families
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.
Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.
Meet Our Team
Additional Resources
The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.
Daniel Scalley
Wealth Strategist
Merrill
J.T. Kirtley
Structured Credit Executive
Bank of America, N.A.
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Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and Certified Investment Management Analyst®. Use of CIMA®, and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and the CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor and CTFA are sponsored by the ABA Institute of Certified Bankers.
