Name: Matthew Gallo
Firm: Merrill Wealth Management
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
AUM: $1.1 billion
Forbes Rankings: Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State, Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Background: Matthew Gallo, 33, grew up in the Bay Area and attended Loyola Marymount University, deciding to major in economics thanks to his love of the stock market. He was exposed to the wealth management business from an early age, he recalls: His father was a financial advisor at Merrill and his Italian immigrant grandfather was an executive at Bank of America. Gallo was determined to follow in their footsteps so he interned at Merrill over the summers while in college, landing a job right out of college.
Building Relationships: “A client’s needs are never stagnant. Needs, values, laws, technology and resources all change, so it’s our job to keep up with that and provide the most thoughtful solutions to the families we serve,” says Gallo.
Competitive Edge: “It’s all about creating the ultimate client experience—and that means being the first phone call that a family makes when they are considering a financial decision,” says Gallo. “We have a rule on our team that we never let a phone call or an email go unanswered before the day is up.”
Investment Philosophy/Strategy: Gallo is also a big believer in alternative investments such as real estate and private equity in order to diversify client portfolios. When it comes to returns, he always reminds families to stay focused on the long term: “Markets in the short run are always unpredictable and if we bet on those outcomes that becomes gambling rather than investing.”
Best Advice: Gallo’s best tip for new advisors is to not be afraid to fail. “If a family is asking you about something you have no idea about, there is nothing wrong with saying ‘I’m not sure but let me get some info and come back to you,’” he says.
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