A professionally managed portfolio at a low cost
Get more than just automated investing; with Merrill Guided Investing**, you get advice and a portfolio monitored and rebalanced by Merrill professionals 1,2 — all at a cost that may surprise you.
Your goals, our investment strategies
Tell us about yourself and your goals, and get investment strategies aligned to your needs, with the flexibility to evolve as your life changes. Footnote 2
Keep your goals on track.
Your personalized dashboard allows you to monitor your portfolio’s performance, make updates, and add new goals whenever you like. Get more than just automated investing — get the digital advice and strategies to help you meet your goals.
Socially-responsible portfolios
Make an impact on your world with the option to invest in sustainable portfolios. Note seven is aligned with your values.
INVESTING AND BANKING CONNECTED
Your Merrill Investment and Bank of America® bank accounts are accessible through a seamless experience with a single login.
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT MERRILL GUIDED INVESTING
How do I know if Merrill Guided Investing is right for me?
Merrill Guided Investing may be right for you if:
- You’re looking for an investment advisory program with a low fee for your goal online through a professionally managed portfolio vs. doing it yourself.
- You want an investment strategy built and managed by investment professionals in portfolio construction and investment selection by the Chief Investment Office (“CIO”).
* The Chief Investment Office (CIO) develops the investment strategies for Merrill Guided Investing and Merrill Guided Investing with the Advisor, including providing its recommendations for ETFs, mutual funds, and related asset allocations. Managed Account Advisors LLC (MAA), Merrill’s affiliate, is the overlay portfolio manager responsible for implementing the Merrill Guided Investing strategies for client accounts, including facilitating the purchase & sale of ETFs and mutual funds in client accounts and updating account asset allocations when the CIO’s recommendations change while also implementing any applicable individual client or firm restriction(s).
What types of accounts can I open?
You can open the following product/account types or convert existing accounts to Merrill Guiding Investing: Individual, Joint, and Custodial (UTMA/UGMA) CMAs, Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs. You can also roll over a 401(k) or employer-sponsored retirement plan. Consider your choices and learn if a rollover may be right for you. Footnote 8 Clients with existing trusts may convert them into Merrill Guiding Investing but currently cannot open new Merrill Guided Investing trust accounts. Please contact us or open an account for any other type of account.
Is there a minimum to open a Merrill Guided Investing account?
Yes. There is a $1,000 investment minimum for growth-focused strategies or a $50,000 investment minimum for income-focused strategies for each Guided Investing account. Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor has a $20,000 investment minimum for growth-focused strategies or a $50,000 investment minimum for income-focused strategies.
What are the costs for a Merrill Guided Investing account?
Merrill Guided Investing carries a low 0.45% annual program feeFootnote 5, and Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor has a 0.85% yearly program fee. Footnote 4 Program fees are charged monthly. With Merrill Guided Investing, if your account balance at the end of the month is $1,000, then next month’s fee would be less than $1. With Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor, if your account balance at the end of the month is $20,000, then next month’s fee will be less than $15. This amount will vary monthly based on your month-end account balance. Other fees may apply. Footnote *
There are no trading commissions when our portfolio managers buy or sell ETFs in your account’s portfolio. However, third parties charge exchange fees, such as a transaction fee of between $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of the principal for sell orders. In addition, costs are associated with investing in ETFs, which are listed in each ETF prospectus under “Expenses and Charges.”
For more details on the fee, please review the Program Brochure (PDF).
* Other fees may apply. ETF sales are subject to a transaction fee of between $0.01 and $0.03 per $1,000 principal. There are costs associated with owning ETFs and mutual funds. To learn more about pricing, visit our Pricing page.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
How is Merrill Guided Investing different from robo advisors that make purely computer-driven investment decisions and other online investing programs?
What information is used to provide a recommended investment strategy?
First, you’ll select a goal and answer some questions online about how much you want to invest and when you think you’ll need to access your funds. Next, you’ll answer questions to determine the risk tolerance for your goal. Finally, you’ll review the recommended strategy based on your provided information. If you enroll in Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor, you’ll meet with your advisor to discuss your recommended portfolio and further refine your goal(s). If you choose to invest in the recommended strategy, you can then go ahead and open your account.
Does my Merrill Guided Investing account balance count toward my Bank of America Preferred Rewards tier requirement?
Yes. Clients enrolled in Preferred Rewards receive a discount off the Merrill Guided Investing program’s annual asset-based fee of 0.45% and the Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor and Merrill Edge Advisory Account programs’ asset-based yearly fee of 0.85% for any of their accounts enrolled in the respective advisory programs. Preferred Rewards-enrolled clients receive a discount of 0.05% off of the annual rate for the Gold tier, 0.10% for the Platinum tier, or 0.15% for the Platinum Honors tier based on their Preferred Rewards tier effective at the time the applicable advisory program fee is calculated. It may take up to 30 calendar days for changes to your Preferred Rewards status or tier to be associated with and effective for your accounts in the advisory programs. Footnote
6 This fee is charged monthly in advance. In addition to the annual program fee, the expenses of the investments will vary based on the specific funds within each portfolio. Actual fund expenses will vary; please refer to each fund’s prospectus. ETF sales are subject to a transaction fee of between $0.01 and $0.03 per $1,000 principal. There are costs associated with owning ETFs and mutual funds. To learn more about pricing, visit merrilledge.com/pricing.
How and when is my account rebalanced?
Merrill Guided Investing strategies are actively managed and are not rebalanced on timed intervals or periods. Merrill may update your strategy’s allocation based on overall market conditions and potential opportunities to lower or take on more risk.
Like all securities, the value of the ETFs and mutual funds in your account will rise and fall over time. Our portfolio managers * will monitor your account for any changes from your strategy’s target asset allocation and rebalance your account as needed. Your account may also be rebalanced due to contribution withdrawals or other assets flowing into or out of your account.
Additionally, Merrill Guided Investing requires clients to complete a periodic review to confirm that their portfolio is still aligned with their goals. If your recommendation changes and you accept the change, your portfolio will automatically adjust to the new recommendation.
* The Chief Investment Office (CIO) develops the investment strategies for Merrill Guided Investing and Merrill Guided Investing with the Advisor, including its recommendations for ETFs, mutual funds, and related asset allocations. Managed Account Advisors LLC (MAA), Merrill’s affiliate, is the overlay portfolio manager responsible for implementing the Merrill Guided Investing strategies for client accounts, including facilitating the purchase & sale of ETFs and mutual funds in client accounts and updating account asset allocations when the CIO’s recommendations change while also implementing any applicable individual client or firm restriction(s).