PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Mellany Bagtas is a Financial Advisor in the Poughkeepsie, NY office who is a CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM)certificant, a designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning.

Mellany's goal is to be the very best in her field by working with families, individual investors and business owners in the development of their long-term financial strategies.

Having access to an array of specialists, Mellany advises clients on wealth accumulation, preservation and transfer through the creation of individually customized wealth management strategies utilizing a defined process. This process includes portfolio development, education planning, liability management, tax minimization, and asset protection with a specific emphasis on helping to assure a lifetime retirement income stream.

Mellany knows the accumulation and preservation of wealth present different challenges and opportunities to each of the clients with whom she works. Each family and business owner has unique financial circumstances requiring individualized attention. Mellany works closely with her clients' other trusted advisors including attorneys and accountants to address her clients' tax, trust, philanthropic and estate issues – including wealth transfer strategies – to truly be an “essential partner”.

Because there are many areas of financial interest to her clients, Mellany takes the time necessary to listen to and educate families and business owners about their choices and assist them in making thoughtful decisions appropriate for their current needs and aspirations.

Before joining Merrill Lynch, Mellany was a Banker at JP Morgan Chase. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mount Saint Mary College with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Mellany currently serves on the board of St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital Foundation.

Mellany enjoys spending time with her husband Jake and two boys, Paolo and Miguel.