Michael R. Karam

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CRD#: 5845148

Professional summary

Being a previously registered professional could mean that this person is no longer operating under the supervision of the SEC or FINRA.

That means that the Securities and Exchange Commission may not be able to oversee the services that this specific professional is providing.

Michael Richard Karam was a registered financial professional .

Michael is a previously registered financial professional and started their career in finance in 2023. Michael had worked at 1 firm and has passed the SIE and Series 14 exams.

Question & Answer

Are you a "fiduciary"?

Aliases

None

Other business activities

Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.

The advisor shows no other business activity.

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary)

The CRS(Customer Relationship Summary) document is not provided.

Certified licenses

Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®

None

Experience

Past

November 29, 2023 - April 21, 2025

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

CRD#: 7691

PENNINGTON, NJ

Primary Firm SEC Registration

This SEC-registered firm can serve clients nationwide. Some states may require the firm to submit a notice filing if the firm has more than 5 clients or a physical office there. You can view these state-level filings under the section titled "State Registrations and Notice Filings".

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH | MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED | MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INC.

CRD#: 7691 / SEC#: 801-14235, 8-7221

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - SEC (12/8/1978 Approved)

Broker-Dealer Firm Regulated by FINRA (New York district office)

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.

Visual representation of state registrations

This advisor is not registered in any state.

Don't see your state listed? The advisor may still be able to work with you under the federal De Minimis Rule, which allows up to five investment advisory clients in a state without registration. Some states, like TX, LA, NE, and NH, may still require registration or notice filing. Contact the advisor or their firm to confirm their investment advisory availability in your state.

Exams

General Industry/Product Exam

SIE

Date: 11/4/2023

Securities Industry Essentials Examination

Principal/Supervisory Exam

Series 14

Date: 11/29/2023

Compliance Officer Examination

Current Firm

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH | MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED | MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INC.

CRD#: 7691 / SEC#: 801-14235, 8-7221

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - SEC (12/8/1978 Approved)

Broker-Dealer Firm Regulated by FINRA (New York district office)

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Contact information

Main Address

One Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036

Mailing Address

150 N College St Nc1-028-29-04, Charlotte, NC 28255

Phone number

(800) 637-7455

Established

Delaware since 11/10/1958

Firm type

Corporation

Fiscal year end

December

Firm Size

Large

# of Employees

33,689

SEC notice filing (49 States and Territories)

FINRA licenses (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / SEC)

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / FINRA)

Latest Form ADV

Part 2 Brochures

MERRILL GUIDED INVESTING BROCHURE (11/14/2025)

MERRILL PERSONAL RETIREMENT STRATEGY (11/14/2025)

MERRILL GUIDED INVESTING WITH ADVISOR BROCHURE (11/14/2025)

MERRILL SMALL BUSINESS 401(K) ADVISORY SERVICE (11/10/2025)

MAA MLPFS 2A FOR SELECT PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH FIDUCIARY ADVISORY SERVICES (3/21/2025)

ADVICE ACCESS BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH MANAGED ACCOUNT SERVICE BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH STRATEGIC PORTFOLIO ADVISOR SERVICE BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

MERRILL EDGE ADVISORY ACCOUNT BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT ADVISORY PROGRAM BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT CONSULTING (3/21/2025)

Direct owners and executive officers

Name	Position	CRD#
BAC NORTH AMERICA HOLDING COMPANY	SHAREHOLDER
AXELROD, SUSAN F	CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER	6949587
FAHMY, NANCY MONIR	DIRECTOR	2689751
GELLENE, MATTHEW THOMAS	DIRECTOR	1977160
HANS, LINDSAY DENARDO	STATE DESIGNATED PRINCIPAL & DIRECTOR	4429443
HEATON, DAVID CARLETON JR	CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER	5972432
MOONEY, SARA RATHBONE	CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER	7616382
SABBIA, LORNA ROSE	DIRECTOR	1873495
SANTANNA, VINCENT C.	CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER & FINOP	5290525
SCHIMPF, ERIC A	DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, STATE DESIGNATED PRINCIPAL	2494318

Regulatory assets under management

Total Number of Accounts	3,085,811
AUM (Assets Under Management)	$ 1,511,090,925,436

Disclosures

Regulatory Event	610
Civil Event	4
Arbitration	878

Accountant surprise examination report

Filing Date	Form ADV-E Cover	Form ADV-E Report
11/25/2024	Cover Page	Report
08/24/2023	Cover Page	Report
01/27/2023	Cover Page	Report

Red Flags

Disclosures can be potential red flags, including customer disputes, regulatory fines, employer terminations, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or certain criminal activities.

Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.

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Michael R. Karam

Professional summary

Question & Answer

Aliases

Other business activities

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary)

Certified licenses

Experience

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

Primary Firm SEC Registration

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Exams

SIE

Date: 11/4/2023

Series 14

Date: 11/29/2023

Current Firm

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

Contact information

SEC notice filing (49 States and Territories)

FINRA licenses (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Part 2 Brochures

Direct owners and executive officers

Regulatory assets under management

Disclosures

Accountant surprise examination report

Red Flags

Company Information

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

TRUST BUT VERIFY

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