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1.1 Based on 101 reviews

Merrill Lynch is one of the world's leading financial management and advisory companies, providing financial advice and investment banking services....

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101 Reviews

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Philcracker15
I was defrauded by Ethan Ladd, Merrill Lynch, Kavanagh Hurst

I was defrauded by Ethan Ladd, CFP at Kavanagh Hurst and Associates wealth Management of 27 Main St Andover Mass. Bernard Kavanagh also betrayed his Fiduciary responsibility to me in the Forgery and Fraud scheme. James M Connors of Merrill Lynch 100 Federal St Boston Mass has also betrayed his Fiduciary responsibilities to me in this same Fraud Scheme. Ethan Ladd forged signatures and initials digitally on Subscription Agreements that I never saw and purchased extremely risky non publicly traded REITs with my money in my name. These Reits have extremely high commission rates paid to the broker that sells them. Ethan Ladd was self dealing and unjustly enriching himself in violation of Security Exchange Regulations and rules.These Reits have Gated my funds and Starwood Reit is a completely worthless financial instrument.These Fraudsters stole about $47,000 of my life savings ,initially and I have clawed back about $15,000 so far. I have filed complaints with the SEC, CFP Board of Standards, Finra, and several other Regulatory Agencys. Ethan Ladd, James Connors, Bernard Kavanagh, and also Lawrence Hurst are nothing more than criminals and I would never let any of them anywhere near my money. It was a huge mistake to trust Merrill Lynch and Kavanagh Hurst and Associates.

1
Date of experience: Mar 21, 2025
Emerald
Absolute lack of transparency about fees and poor service

I have an Individual Investment Account. 3 years ago, Merrill Lynch withdrew all money from my Benefits Online account. No letter, no warning. The balance was zeroed out. I was frantic that I got defrauded by someone. I rang - from Europe where I live, 8 hrs ahead time difference. I spent 2 hrs being transfered from pillar to post or listening to their automated voice service before I was forced to open another account to get my vanishing money back. No warning of any charges. Months later, I found I was charged an annual fee (65 USD). Also, no options to trade online anymore, or wire money out. No SMS notifications or authorisation codes available to my non-US mobile number either. To do anything, I had to ring USA number, from overseas, at my night hours. I have no idea what I was paying the annual fee for.Eventually I decided to sell the stock and wire money back to Europe. It took several calls, several hours, and several people to talk to. First money transfer ordered. All data correct. Money gone out of my account on the following day. Transfer fee (30 USD) taken of my account, too. I got wire notification. Money was due to reach the destination 3 days later as per the transfer confirmation.A week later, money still had not arrived at its destination. It was returned to my Merrill acocunt, short of 32 USD. No notification, no charge showing to explain the shortage of the refund. I only realised when I looked at my monthly statement.I rang again, spent 1 hr trying to get through the automatic voice service. Eventually, got through. A consultant was unable to explain why the transfer was returned. All data was correct. Nothing missing. We tried another destination account. At the end of the proces, I was told I cannot have USD wired outside of the US. Merrill insisted on currency conversion, additional fees, and not the currency I wanted. Apparently, this is due to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Act that prevent international transfers in USD and insists on currency conversion, at least so I was told.Why I was not told that a week earlier. I would have saved 30 USD for wire transfer that was never meant to be successful, and additional 32 USD fee for it to be returned. The consultant was guessing this was returned due to USD currency being wired out.I am losing my will to live, dealing with Merrill Lynch costs me my health, makes me cry, not to mention exhausted having to spend hours on Skype with Merrill Lynch after my working day instead of relax and rest. Had it not been for Skype, the phone calls would also cost me a fortune.

1
Date of experience: Mar 03, 2025
I had an old account of about 50.00

I had an old account of about 50.00. They told me the check was in the mail and to wait 7-10 business days. I called February 24th and they said 7-14 days. I called there at 8am today Thursday February 27th and first the guy transferred me to another team member. These people never introduced themselves on the other team. I waited 40 minutes as the guy supposedly stopped a check then proceed to tell me since their fee is 75.00 there really was never a check. A bunch of bullshit and I was never told about the fee and only that the check was coming. They are liars and thieves. Had terrible time closing my husbands account with them as I had to notary 4 times at the branch at Somerville. It was terrible. Do not do business with them as they are crooks and cannot say a straight thing.

1
Date of experience: Feb 27, 2025
Recently tried to open a Merrill Edge…

Recently tried to open a Merrill Edge SDI account. Online application process went well. Very straightforward. Then I received an email saying they needed to clarify some information provided, this was expected. They requested I send them copies of my SSN card, DL and proof of address with utility bill. I fully understand the requirements of AML/CIP regulations and the need to confirm one’s identity. That said I also understand the implications of having copies of my identity docs being kept by a third party and having their systems hacked. U.S. regulations DO NOT require that copies of identity docs be acquired and kept by financial institutions. Just that the be presented and reviewed for confirmation. Knowing this I requested that I could go into a branch to have the docs confirmed. Merrill’s response was NOT TO RESPOND. It’s unfortunate when institutions like Bank of America/Merrill get to the point where they’ve forgotten how to deliver on good customer service. I know I’m just a grain of sand on the beach to Merrill but they should try to do better.

2
Date of experience: Feb 09, 2025
Cheryl A.
Holding our money hostage

My daughter has money that was in a custodial account until she was 21. She’s now 23 and we’ve been trying to get her money out for 9 months. Numerous phone calls, HOURS on hold and we still don’t have her money. They sent checks to the wrong addresses (none related to my daughter) THREE different times. They accidentally closed her account. They finally got it open and then they couldn’t/wouldn’t wire the money to her. We’ve filed an official complaint but the incompetence is unreal. 9 months and this still isn’t resolved. Would NEVER use them again.

1
Date of experience: Jan 21, 2025
Derwin Butler
Professional Advice, Rollover immediately, Merrill Lynch is crap Merrill Lynch is Horrible and Expen

I contacted you to update my personal information since everytime I went to do it online , you kept on trying to upsell me on fee based products. I manage my own Portfolio. You then put a lock on my account, and force me to contact you. I contacted you to update my information, and spoke with a customer service representative. I then proceeded to notify your customer service agent that I will be processing a rollover request from Merrill Lynch, Bank of America to a new IRS.Lo and behold, when I went ahead to do that via direct transfer, roll over, you all sold my portfolio, cut a check and marked it as an early distribution with Federal tax withholding, subject to early distribution penalty. Just FYI, I know exactly what I was doing, because I'm not financially illiterate, and I understand the tax consequence since I work in Tax!I will be submitting my complaint to consumer affairs, BBB, and any other public facing source available. Additionally, since you sold my asset and marked as a distribution subject to early withdrawal penalties, I'm also going to be contacting CFPB and my attorney in for Negligence! If the institution processes the transaction without proper consent, it may fall under "negligent banking practices" or even "fraudulent withdrawal." If this happens, the account holder may have legal grounds to dispute the transaction under Regulation E (for electronic transactions) or Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Article 4 (for checks).

1
Date of experience: Jan 13, 2025
Charlton Wright
My mother died over 2 years ago

My mother died over 2 years ago. I still have not received my share of the funds from that account. Numerous phone calls and written correspondence. Every time there is a different excuse. They are incredibly dishonest.

1
Date of experience: Jan 07, 2025
RB38
Merrill Lynch is the most incompetent…

Merrill Lynch is the most incompetent financial services institution I have ever dealt with. I am an executor for my mother's estate. It's been 5 months since her passing and her estate still has not been settled despite the existence of clear beneficiary designations. They cannot provide any explanation as to why the funds have not been distributed nor when they will be. 3 other financial institutions completed all disbursements Within 1 month.

1
Date of experience: Dec 24, 2024
Connor Lewis
I have a 401K account with Merrill…

I have a 401K account with Merrill Lynch and they have horrible customer service, lock my online account for no reason and when I asked my daughter to call the customer service to unlock the account, they hanged on my daughter because they said she can't be my representative, so rude and does not care about customer at all

1
Date of experience: Dec 07, 2024
Billy Parker
I started an IRA account over 30 years…

I started an IRA account over 30 years ago. I have more money now than when I retired. I can't say enough as to how pleased I am with their financial experts. Great people to work with.

5
Date of experience: Dec 06, 2024

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  • Merrill Lynch is one of the world's leading financial management and advisory
    companies, providing financial advice and investment banking services.

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