John Paffendorf Jr.
Advisor at Merrill
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Some details may be added by the advisor after claiming their profile. Refreshed daily • Updated today.
Advisor at Merrill
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Some details may be added by the advisor after claiming their profile. Refreshed daily • Updated today.
Location
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Credentials
Series 66
Industry experience
24 years
John Paffendorf is a Private Wealth Manager at Merrill Private Wealth Management. He advises a select group of ultra-affluent clients, designing tailored strategies to assist them in navigating significant financial decisions. His expertise includes investment management, pre- and post-liquidity event strategy, trust and estate planning services, customized credit and lending, and philanthropy. John has a strong background in managing equity strategies, equity security analysis, and concentrated equity risk management.
Prior to joining Merrill, John was a Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley and also worked as a Senior Vice President in the Private Wealth Management Group at UBS, where he focused extensively on families that had sold major assets. Within Merrill, he is a specially qualified Senior Portfolio Manager, authorized to build and manage personalized investment strategies that may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment options. His role includes the discretionary management of client assets and collaboration with other Merrill Advisors.
John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Idaho. He holds the professional designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Banking products and services he provides are offered through Bank of America, N.A.
Based on Merrill
$0 - $2,000,000: 1.10% (for Managed Strategy with MFSA under $2 million) $2,000,000+: 1.00% (for Managed Strategy with MFSA at and above $2 million)
Account minimum: $2,000,000 minimum to qualify for Premium Access Strategy per SEC data and Merrill brochure context; no other firm-wide minimum clearly stated
2049 Century Park E, Pbig Century City
Los Angeles, CA 90067
California · Texas
Bank Of America, N.a.
2015 - Present (11 years)
Merrill
2015 - Present (11 years)
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Is active or affiliated with:
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Is not active or affiliated with:
Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through — whether you ultimately need an advisor or not.
Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly — so you can choose with confidence.
Warmer provides personalized recommendations and introductions to independent fiduciary advisors. We do not supervise advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
Each advisor listed on our site is an independent fiduciary responsible for their own advice. Warmer may receive fees from advisors for participation or referrals; these fees are paid by advisors and do not affect the fees clients pay for advisory services.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Please review an advisor's Form ADV and do your own diligence before entering into an advisory relationship.
By using our service, you agree to Warmer's Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement and Privacy Policy. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. ("Warmer")