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Advisor Development Program - Financial Solutions Advisor Trainee-Belmont/Oconto Financial Center

Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

The Merrill Returning Talent Program

Do you have a sales background or have you owned your own business?  Are you competitive, a quick study and eager to learn more about investment management?  Have you taken a career break and are you looking to return to the corporate world in an entrepreneurial role?  Would you like to explore a career as a financial advisor? 

The Merrill Returning Talent Advisor Development Program is a hiring initiative and training program geared towards professionals who have taken a career break for at least one year and who are looking to rejoin the corporate workforce. The program is designed to empower returnees by providing the tools and support to successfully reintegrate into the corporate world while developing the expertise to build and grow as a financial advisor.

Returning Talent Program Overview

  • The program will include professional licensing, on-the-job learning experiences in our financial centers and Merrill office complexes, professional skills training, and hands on support from our teams to support re-entry into the workforce. 
  • The program utilizes knowledge/activity-based training modules and national and local leader/peer coaching to teach banking fundamentals.
  • Mentorship as well as peer and professional networking opportunities offered throughout the program

The job description is as follows:

As an Advisor Development Program Financial Solutions Advisor Stage I (ADP FSA I), your journey begins obtaining your Securities Industry licenses, where you receive dedicated study time for your Securities Industry Essentials [SIE], Series 7 and Series 66 Exams. Once you obtain your licenses, you will be taught the foundational skills needed to be an advisor – from acquiring, building and managing client relationships to considering a client’s complex financial picture and guiding them with advice and solutions to help them live their best financial lives, all while humanizing financial interactions. Once you have reached your key milestones, you will begin working in a financial center where you will help to deliver Bank of America’s core banking, investment solutions and approach to client care. We will equip you with everything you need as you move through the stages of development.
 

Once you have demonstrated success as a licensed ADP Financial Solutions Advisor Stage I, you will typically progress onto the next stage of ADP as a Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor (MFSA). In that role you will transition to a local Merrill Wealth Management office and continue to practice the skills you’ve learned in ADP by beginning to build a new portfolio of affluent and high net worth clients. As a successful MFSA, you will then have the opportunity to progress further within ADP with the ultimate aim of becoming a core Merrill Financial Advisor. The Academy will support you along the way with dedicated programs, tools and resources throughout your career journey.

This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act requirements, all employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Since your position requires SAFE Act registration, you will be required to register and to submit to the required SAFE Act background check and registration process. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in your immediate termination.

Required skills:
• Sets and accomplishes goals, achieving whatever you put your mind to.
• Is comfortable in a sales role, finding ways to nurture strong relationships with prospective clients.
• Communicates clearly and confidently with clients from all walks of life.
• Works well with others and collaborates productively to get things done.
• Can manage complexity, prioritize tasks and execute in a fast-paced environment.
• Likes to learn on your feet, adapting to new information and seeking the right solutions for clients.
• Efficiently manages your time and capacity.
• Is thorough and will incorporate relevant regulatory due diligence into daily to-do’s and long-term strategies for clients.

Desired skills:
• Strong computer skills with an ability to multitask in a demanding environment.
• A bachelor’s degree, or 1-2 years’ experience working in the financial service industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded.
• Experience assessing client needs, identifying/recommending
solutions, and building/managing client relationships.

Shift:

1st shift (United States of America)

Hours Per Week: 

40

Learn more about this role

[Music in background throughout]

 

[Bank of America® logo shown periodically throughout]

 

At Bank of America, I get to make a difference every day.

 

On screen copy:

Advisor Training Programs

 

On screen disclosure:

Please see important information at the end of this video.

 

As an Advisor, my job is to advise my clients on their investment goals and match them with the right portfolio and specialists to help them pursue those goals.

 

On screen copy:

Advise clients on their investment goals in order to pursue those goals

 

I interact with clients from all walks of life, from small-business owners developing a financial plan to new parents looking to start saving money for their child’s college education. I match my knowledge of financial markets and investment products with clients’ individual investment needs.

 

A key part of my role is accomplishing performance goals through consultative, needs-based analysis and organized follow-up with my clients.

 

On screen copy:

Accomplishing performance goals through needs-based analysis and client follow-up

 

When I first started, I had a lot to learn about the investment world and compliance standards but I was equipped with the tools and training I needed to succeed.

 

In my last job, I worked mostly on my own. Here, I get to work in a team environment every day.

 

On screen copy:

Team environment

 

I even get some of my best referrals from my teammates. And since I work with people in so many different departments, I’m able to build connections and learn more about other roles. Everyone here is really supportive of your career growth.

 

I meet with my manager on a regular basis to talk about my goals, and she gives me advice for how to make them a reality.

 

On screen copy:

Regular meetings with your manager to make your goals a reality

 

As an Advisor, you will participate in the award-winning Academy at Bank of America.

 

On screen copy:

Trained by the award-winning Academy at Bank of America

Brandon Hall Gold Award for “Learning and Development”

 

From my first day to today, the Academy has equipped me with all the resources I needed to be successful in acquiring my Security Licenses. I was provided with dedicated study time, training, and support

 

On screen copy:

While studying for Security Licenses, the Academy at Bank of America provides:

●      Dedicated study time

●      Training

●      Support

 

while I obtained my Securities Industry Essentials, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses.

 

On screen copy:

●      Securities Industry Essentials

●      Series 7

●      Series 66

 

I’m hoping to move into a leadership role in the future and I feel I’ll be able to make this a reality, thanks to my manager and the people around me.

 

And it’s that kind of support that makes it so easy to support my clients every day. We all have goals. Pursue yours at Bank of America and Merrill.

 

On screen copy:

Bank of America® logo

Learn more: bankofamerica.com/Careers

 

On screen disclosures:

Bank of America and its affiliates consider for employment and hire qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote the concept of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and municipal laws.

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

 

Investment products:

Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

 

©2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

[End of transcript]

MAP-7261961 Exp-5/19/26

Full time

JR-24046830

Manages People: No

Travel: Yes, 5% of the time

Illinois pay and benefits information

Illinois pay range:

$28.85 - $32.00 hourly pay, offers to be determined based on experience, education and skill set.

Predictable pay

This role is compensated with a base salary and is not incentive eligible.

Benefits

This role is currently benefits eligible. We provide industry-leading benefits, access to paid time off, resources and support to our employees so they can make a genuine impact and contribute to the sustainable growth of our business and the communities we serve.

Street Address

Primary Location:
7225 W Belmont Ave, IL, Chicago, 60634