Three Merrill Lynch Financial Advisors Named As Best in Nation

Merrill Lynch wealth management advisers Kimberly Hammond, Brett Howell, and Craig Sharp have been recognized by the Financial Times as top financial advisors in the nation.

Hammond, Howell, and Sharp were named to the 2018 Financial Times annual “Top 401 Financial Advisors” list. The Financial Times Top 401 represents the best advisers who specialize in advising Defined Contribution plans offered by corporate, non-profit and government employers. Hammond is based in Muskegon. Howell and Sharp’s offices are in Grand Rapids.

Kimberly Hammond and her team combine their industry knowledge and capabilities to provide a full range of wealth management services to corporate executives and their families. During her 28-year tenure with Merrill Lynch, Kimberly has helped clients integrate their corporate benefits into a long-term financial strategy that focuses on risk management. This is the fourth year she has been recognized on the Financial Times Top 401 Advisors list. Hammond has a BA in economics from Michigan State University.

Craig Sharp focuses on advising individuals, non-profit organizations, foundations, and retirement plans on a wide range of investment management issues. As a founding partner of the Howell & Sharp Group, Craig helps clients develop wealth management strategies through a defined process that includes: goal definition, portfolio development, risk mitigation, performance measurement, income management, tax minimization and liability management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2000. Sharp has a BA from Hope College and two Masters Degrees from the University of Michigan.

Brett Howell is also a founding partner of the Howell & Sharp Group at Merrill Lynch. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2000, Brett has focused his efforts in the area of Retirement Planning for individuals as well as qualified and non-qualified retirement plans for corporations and non-profit organizations. In addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, Howell can draw from his experience to help clients pursue their objectives by building and managing custom investment strategies. Howell has a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Michigan State University.