Merrill Lynch Reviews

Pros

there is currently good management in place

Cons

It is a big company that is owned by a bank

Pros

entrepeurial, good name brand for Merrill Lynch, unlimited potential income

Cons

two distinct cultures requires more work

Pros

The stress is ok, not crazy. People are all very nice, especially managers.

Cons

Compensation is not as good as other comparable places.

Advice to Senior Management

Hire more senior people.

Pros

It is a place that gives you a chance to grow. Very supporting staff that helps you learn the trade.

Cons

As an inten in wealth management, I had to make many cold calls. However; this is the most important part in finding new clients.

Advice to Senior Management

Have the interns do more portfolio managment. Otherwise, I think this is a really great internship to start off with.

Pros

When I worked there as an intern, I received some of the best knowledge and advise than ever before. They train you on how to work within a fast-pace office environment as well as teach you about the everyday task they do. My managers personally evaluated my strengths and weaknesses and explained to me how to get better.

Cons

The only con that I would have for this company or specific branch is that they do not participate in paid internships. However, they did offer me the opportunity to continue work there either as a FA trainee or continue my internship for longer.

Advice to Senior Management

Overall my experience at ML was great. I was able to make great networking relationships and learn more than any classroom could have taught me.

Pros

The support and training are considered the industry best. Complete support is provided in the 4 month training phase. You then are evaluated over a 3 month stage 2 assessment before moving into a 36 month "build your business" phase.

Cons

As an F.A. for Merrill Lynch, which is different from the advisors working in the B of A branches with Merrill Edge, the expectation for success is going to greater. So it may be advisable to work within realistic goals and not get ahead of ones self

Advice to Senior Management

Even though I am still going through the process of obtaining an F.A. position, the prospects look hopefull and encouraging given the support the company provides to really achieve success.

Pros

Large, well run company with plenty of opportunity. I was in the broker training program that required you to study and pass your brokerage exams. Within a couple months you were given a production number and expected to find new clients. Your performance was based solely on your production. If you were able to transition family, friends, acquaintances into accounts, you then were expected to go out and continually find new clientele. A successful broker had 30-50 million dollars under management within 3-5 years.

Cons

You can easily get lost in the vastness of the organization. Plenty of rules and regulations to be mindful of (red tape). You needed to find new clients and perform up to their standards or you were soon left behind.

Advice to Senior Management

The success rate in the broker training program is very low. The quality of people entering your program is reasonably high.

Pros

It was an internship that I did. Team was small, was nervous at first, but got adjusted really well. Everyone was very helpful.

Cons

It did not have a proper educational program. CIGNA I know for a fact has a program for students that has a more proper scheduled program.

Advice to Senior Management

Have a more scheduled program as a form of training. You will get your money's worth for, company projects will be more productive

Pros

Great company, lot to learn and open to new younger talent. Always a plus for interns and recent college grads.

Cons

Declining name after being acquired by Bank of America, and too many locations ... almost like you're competing with yourself.

Pros

good benefits, good evnirnment for nice place

Cons

a lot of pressure, not always a team environment

Advice to Senior Management

more team roll