The Phipps & Searing Group 

Professional Profile

OUR PHILOSOPHY

For over 43 years, The Phipps & Searing Group has been committed to delivering state-of-the-art wealth management advice and personalized, attentive client service. Our wealth management advisory practice is concentrated on the process of managing the six disciplines (F.L.E.R.R.T.), around the baseline of portfolio construction. The team strives to employ the unsurpassed resources and worldwide platform of Bank of America/Merrill Lynch and leverage them to the benefit of each client. We work closely with the Firm’s international network of specialists who provide research, analytics, and technical support so that The Phipps & Searing Group can offer full lifecycle holistic wealth management to clients. Integration of the relationships between our clients’ legal and tax advisors is crucial, with the goal to work as one team on behalf of our clients. Our team serves a variety of uniquely successful individuals including successful entrepreneurs, physicians, healthcare professionals, and small to medium size family owned businesses. We are proud of the solid relationships we have developed over the years, particularly with our clients’ families as we are currently advising many of our clients’ third generation family members.

A PRACTICAL APPROACH

Our approach to wealth management is disciplined, practical, and depends heavily on client-centric relationships. The initial steps are to ask questions and understand what is most important to you, your family, and your business. And, like a physician, we do a complete financial “H&P” (history and physical). After rigorous analysis and testing, the results are then integrated into each of the six distinct disciplines below that our 43 years of experience shows us are necessary for our client’s success. A diagnosis is then developed and monitored thoroughly after implementation.

F inancial Guidance
L egacy Implementation
E state Coordination
R isk Management
R etirement Planning/ Income Strategies
T ax Minimization/Asset Protection

Jeffrey P. Phipps, Sr., AWMA®,
First Vice President – Wealth Management
Wealth Management Advisor

Jeffrey Phipps Sr. is the Lead Wealth Management Advisor of The Phipps & Searing Group. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he worked with Janney Montgomery Scott and Morgan Stanley. He has been in the financial services industry since 1970. Jeff earned the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor designation from The College of Financial Planning studied at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with his prior firm. Jeff is a graduate and holds an MBA from the University of Nebraska. He holds Series 8, 24, 63 and 65 registrations supervised by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Jeff is the Official Wealth Management Advisor to the Florida Neurosurgical Society, Florida Society of Clinical Oncology as well as a Director of Palm Beach County Medical Society’s Service Board.

He is a board member of the Economic Development Research Institute of Palm Beach County and is a member of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Inc. Florida residents for 31 years, Jeff and his wife, Linda, reside in Palm Beach County. They have two children and five grandchildren.

Bruce R. Searing, CRPC®,
Senior Vice President – Wealth Management
Senior Financial Advisor

With over 30 years of experience, Bruce is dedicated to providing clients with the finest individually tailored approach to financial and investment strategies. At the heart of Bruce’s philosophy is a passion to build enduring client relationships through his commitment to providing outstanding guidance and service, while centering the entire process on the need for discipline.

Bruce joined Merrill Lynch in 2009 as First Vice President-Investments. He has been employed in the financial services industry since 1982 when he began his career on Wall Street with EF Hutton. He has also worked with UBS and Smith Barney. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Resource Economics and hold Series 7, 63, 65 registrations supervised by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Bruce serves clients throughout the country with a concentration in California, Florida and the northeastern states. Throughout his career, Bruce has focused on corporate and personal retirement planning and portfolio construction utilizing equity instruments, fixed income instruments, and mutual funds. Bruce leads an active South Florida lifestyle enjoying cycling, tennis, and fine dinning.

Jeffrey P. Phipps II, CRPC®,
Vice President
Wealth Management Advisor

Jeffrey Phipps II has been a Wealth Management Advisor for more than 19 years. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2008 as a wealth management advisor after working with both Janney Montgomery Scott and Morgan Stanley.

Jeff co-directs the Phipps & Searing Group’s client relationships along with the formulation of wealth management strategies. He is particularly proud of the multiple-generation relationships he has developed with clients of The Phipps & Searing Group. Jeff, a Florida resident for 33 years, graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. degree in Economics and holds Series 7, 63, 65 registrations supervised by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Jeff also holds a Florida resident agent’s license in life insurance and variable annuities and is a Charter Retirement Planning Counselor, CRPC®.

After the closing bell, he is involved with community activities and regularly volunteers his time to and is a board member for child-focused charitable organizations. Jeff and his wife, Suzanne, a news anchor for a local television station, live in Delray Beach with their daughter and son.

Kyle M. Scholl, CFP®
Financial Advisor

Kyle joined Merrill Lynch in January 2008. He is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and Kyle is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. He holds Series 7 and Series 66 registrations supervised by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and also holds a Florida resident agent’s license in life insurance and variable annuities.

Kyle specializes in helping The Phipps & Searing Group’s clients create and maintain a personalized long term wealth management plan strategically catered to individual needs and life goals.

Kyle resides in Boca Raton and is a Native Floridian. He enjoys the outdoors and spends his free time volunteering on restoration projects for Coastal Mangroves and The Florida Everglades.

Barbara R. Taylor
Registered Senior Client Associate

Barbara joined Merrill Lynch in 1996. She has been employed in the financial services industry since 1988. She is a graduate of Lake Worth Christian high School and holds the Series 7 & 66 registrations supervised by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Barbara’s focus and role is efficiently handling all administrative needs for our clients. Her approach is proactive and completely focused on any need or concern for our clients and their families with a commitment to excellence.

Jeannette H. Fette
Client Associate

Client Associate, joined Merrill Lynch in 2006. She has been employed in the financial services industry since 1995. She graduated from Florissant Valley Community College with an Associates Degree in Business Administration. Jeannette also holds the Series 7 registration supervised by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Jeannette takes pride in providing superior support to The Phipps & Searing Group’s clients and ensures prompt professional service that exceeds expectations.