Steven Hanwacker is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in Global Wealth Management, working with high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as small to medium-sized institutions, pensions, retirement plans, endowments, and family foundations. His clients often include corporate executives, hedge-fund principals, private-equity partners, investment bankers, entrepreneurs, accountants, and consultants. Steven and his team collaborate closely with internal specialists to address a wide range of financial needs and coordinate efforts with clients' external tax and legal advisors.
Steven has been with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management since 2004. He holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC™), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). He began his career as an options trader after earning a bachelor's degree from Villanova University's College of Commerce and Finance. His background provides him with expertise in managing transitions such as business sales, stock option realizations, mergers and acquisitions, and retirement planning.
Steven resides on Long Island with his wife and three sons. An accomplished surfer since childhood, he often draws parallels between surfing and wealth management, emphasizing that experience and time are essential to building meaningful advisory relationships. He values long-term collaboration with clients to help them navigate significant life milestones through personalized financial strategies.