Advisor Development Program Client Associate
Company: Bank of America
Location: Grand Rapids
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description: Advisor Development Program Client Associate
Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive
wealth management and investment products and services for
individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management
is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world
specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning
for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through
investment advice and guidance. Merrill’s Financial Advisors and
Wealth Management Client Associates help pursue the life they
envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team
committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency.
Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the
investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience
of Bank of America. Merrill is committed to an in-office culture
with specific requirements for office-based attendance and which
allows for an appropriate level of flexibility for our teammates
and businesses based on role-specific considerations. At Merrill,
we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value diversity
in our thoughts, business, and within our employees. Our Wealth
Management team represents an array of different backgrounds and
bring their unique perspectives, ideas and experiences, helping to
create a work community that is culture driven, resilient, results
focused and effective. The Advisor Development Program is designed
for individuals excited to make a career transition and follow
their passion of becoming a Financial Advisor. Job Description: The
Wealth Management Client Associate – Advisor Development Program
(WMCA - ADP) role is an entry role into our Advisor Development
Program where the destination role is becoming a full-scale
Financial Advisor at Merrill. This progression role is responsible
for providing client service support to Financial Advisors (FAs).
As a WMCA - ADP your journey begins by obtaining your Securities
Industry licenses, where you will receive dedicated study time for
your Securities Industry Essentials [SIE], Series 7, and Series 66
Exams. Your SIE, Series 7 & 66 must be obtained within 120 days;
(63 & 65 accepted, in lieu of 66, if previously held). Once you
obtain your licenses, you will be taught the foundational skills
needed to be a WMCA - ADP. This job is responsible for providing
client service support to multiple FAs. Key responsibilities
include supporting enterprise strategic objectives, operational
excellence goals, and client advocacy within the FA’s business,
while customizing solutions based on their specific needs. Job
expectations include serving as the most frequent point of contact
within Merrill to address all service needs of their clients and
acting as a resource for FAs on the team. Once you have reached
your key milestones, including proficiency in your current role and
the completion of experiential activities showcasing your ability
to become an advisor, you will then progress into the next stage of
the Advisor Development Program, beginning building a book of
business as a Financial Advisor trainee. You will complete
dedicated training preparing you for this role and once complete
you will continue to work in a Merrill office where you will be
acquiring, building, and managing client relationships while
considering a client’s complex financial picture and guiding them
with advice and solutions. Once you complete your performance
requirements as a Financial Advisor trainee you will reach the
ultimate destination of becoming a Merrill Financial Advisor. You
will be supported along the way with dedicated programs, tools, and
resources throughout your career journey. The Advisor Development
Program consists of progressive roles to ultimately become a
Merrill Financial Advisor. Our progressive roles in the Advisor
Development Program engage in: Developing a book of business in
order to meet and exceed established performance hurdles
Effectively prioritizing and sourcing prospective clients,
capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring
customers to the appropriate internal specialists, and executing
highly customized solutions to meet client needs Recommending
investment products and services that are suitable for prospects
based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile
and preferences Balancing investment growth, referral activities,
customer follow up, prospect building, administrative compliance
and personal growth and development according to both a day-to-day
and longer-term planning Organizing and managing resources (time,
people, budget) to run a productive practice Seeking the expertise
of specialists, where appropriate, to identify planning and
investment strategies for a client Completing mandated training,
assessments, performance goals and continuing education
requirements We’ll help you Build a successful career at Bank of
America through world-class training and on-boarding programs that
set you up for success. Get training and one-on-one coaching from
our-award winning Academy at Bank of America and local leadership
who are invested in your success. Grow your business knowledge by
using a defined consultative approach to systematically identify
client needs and appropriate solutions. Provide end-to-end
comprehensive advice , deliver client reviews/presentations with
confidence and recommend strategies to help achieve their financial
goals and life priorities. Collaborate with core banking and
investment partners. Connect to all the solutions we provide
through Bank of America and Merrill to meet virtually all their
financial needs. Required Qualifications: Displays confidence
working as a self-starter in a sales role Builds strong client
relationships through effective communication and collaboration
Displays a proactive mindset and effective time management
Demonstrates a results-driven growth mindset and prioritizes client
interests Identifies appropriate client solutions through
application of learnings and new information Exceptional
interpersonal and relationship building skills Effective
communication skills (written and verbal) Proven ability to quickly
build trust and credibility Proven ability to assess needs of and
recommend appropriate solutions Proven ability to work both
collaboratively on a team with key partners and independently
Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding
Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven ability to source clients
through extensive prospecting and networking Strong follow-through
skills Computer/technical literacy and proficiency in applications
such as Microsoft Suite Desired Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree
and/or a minimum of one year of work experience Learns and adapts
to new technology or applications Executes multiple tasks
simultaneously Job Responsibilities: Partners with Financial
Advisors, Client Relationship Managers, and Market Supervision
Managers on all aspects of client servicing, risk, investments, and
banking products, while receiving appropriate guidance and
escalating issues as needed Provides excellent Client Service to
the bank's clients through educating them on all of the bank's
service and banking offerings Ensures timeliness, accuracy, and
completeness in client materials and follows up on all client and
Financial Advisor (FA) requests Assists with ensuring practices are
in alignment with the bank's policies and procedures to support
operational excellence, protect the bank's clients, and manage risk
Identifies, deepens, and maintains client relationships through
emphasizing the bank's offerings and promoting incorporation of
banking into day-to-day practices, while communicating outputs to
the FA Performs general business growth support functions aligned
to the role of the Client Associate or Wealth Management Client
Associate, providing business development, investment solutions,
and/or business management support to multiple FAs Skills : Account
Management Client Management Customer and Client Focus Issue
Management Oral Communications Business Development Client
Solutions Advisory Pipeline Management Prioritization Trade
Operations Management Administrative Services Client Investments
Management Emotional Intelligence Referral Identification Written
Communications 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. Shift:
1st shift (United States of America) Hours Per Week: 37.5
Keywords: Bank of America, Portage , Advisor Development Program Client Associate, Accounting, Auditing , Grand Rapids, Michigan
