Merrill income falls, headcount flat as guardian BofA’s earnings surge

Merrill Wealth Administration had a blended earnings report Tuesday within the wake of longtime president Andy Sieg’s latest departure, regardless of guardian Financial institution of America’s sturdy quarter. 

Income and earnings at Merrill and sister unit Financial institution of America Personal Financial institution had been down each quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year for the primary three months of 2023, though the mixed items added a quarterly report of round 14,500 internet new households. The financial institution attributed the decreases to market declines that had been partially offset by larger internet curiosity revenue, a Merrill assertion stated. 

Advisor headcount throughout the financial institution’s strains of enterprise additionally stalled and logged a small decline, regardless of the financial institution hiring over internet new 800 advisors in the course of the prior two quarters. 

Merrill canceled its customary quarterly earnings name for reporters, which is often held individually from the guardian financial institution’s earnings name on the identical day. Up to now, former president Sieg would subject reporter questions in the course of the calls. 

Sieg left Merrill on March 30 for rival Citigroup, the place he’ll change into the top of Citi International Wealth. He’s changed by Eric Schimpf and Lindsay Hans, who’re the brand new presidents and co-heads of Merrill Wealth Administration. 

“As we transfer ahead, we’re excited to have Eric Schimpf and Lindsay Hans lead this enterprise,” Financial institution of America chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan stated on an earnings name Tuesday. “They will work intently with Katy Knox [the president of the Private Bank] to drive our world wealth and funding administration enterprise throughout the corporate.” Moynihan added that the three wealth heads anticipated to enhance operational effectivity by investing extra into digital merchandise for advisors and shoppers. 

Mother or father firm Financial institution of America had sturdy ends in its first-quarter earnings, with earnings of $8.2 billion exhibiting a acquire of 15% over the previous quarter and the identical on the year-ago quarter’s $7.1 billion. 

Income firmwide was $26.3 billion for the quarter, up 7% over the previous quarter’s $24.5 billion and up 13% 12 months over 12 months. 

Financial institution of America beat Wall Avenue analysts’ expectations with earnings per share of $0.94, 15% above the consensus of $0.82. 

To see the principle takeaways from Merrill’s first-quarter earnings, scroll down the slideshow. For protection of the agency’s fourth-quarter earnings, click on right here. For a take a look at the outcomes from the third quarter, click on right here.