How My Fortune 100 Company Helped Me Grow From a Part-Time Teller to a Financial Advisor

When she was in college, Ashley Chen started her journey with Bank of America as a part-time teller (now called a relationship banker). Chen liked that she was able to work for a Fortune 100 company with great benefits while still having the flexibility to continue her education. And this ended up only being the start of her time with the company! Chen’s manager eventually offered her a full-time position and, flash forward 15 years, she has climbed in her career to become a financial advisor through the Advisor Development Program (ADP).

“During my 15 years here at the Bank, I’ve been in many roles in the Financial Center that equipped me with the skills and knowledge I needed to make me an attractive candidate for other career opportunities,” Chen says. “I was able to learn and grow my financial services knowledge and began to realize that I wanted a more entrepreneurial career path.”

That’s why she was so intrigued by the Advisor Development Program. And, thanks to the support and experience she’d received at Bank of America, Chen felt ready to take this leap. So, Chen applied for the Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor (MFSA) role, and tells us that Merrill was there to help her take this next step. Since then, Chen says that her career has “just taken off from there.”

Here, she caught up with us about her career jump. 

To start, what appealed to you about the Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor (MFSA) role?

I was ready to be a Financial Advisor and take a more entrepreneurial approach to my work. I was able to build and own my own book of clients. With Merrill, I was able to build on my skills with support for obtaining my licenses and collaboration with my team.

Can you tell us more about how Merrill supported you as you entered into and grew within the MFSA role?

I learned so much as a MFSA and was provided with so many resources and tools. This includes financial market research and being able to learn from Senior financial advisors, mentors, and the natural engagement that I had with my team. There was always someone there to talk to and who would join me in client meetings and just share their experiences. They also provided Client leads that allowed me to start building my own book of business, which was a new experience for me. 

Everyone here at Merrill has helped me. For example, managers are happy to help sit in the client meeting with us to help onboard a new client. I felt fully supported.

What are your favorite things about your MFSA job?

On a professional basis, I really enjoy engaging with my clients and helping them reach their goals. This includes working with clients new to investing to ultra-high net worth clients. On the personal side, I’m able to better integrate being a mom with having a career. I have flexibility of not being stuck in a nine-to-five role. I have better control and can prioritize my day-to-day needs.

Finally, what’s your best advice for other women who are considering a career as a Financial Advisor or in Financial Service?

This is a people business where being able to genuinely listen is so very important, along with being able to prioritize and multitask. For a lot of women, these are strengths that we don’t often view as valuable. 

If you have an interest in financial planning, look at organizations that will appreciate your skills and provide resources to help you grow your career. One key thing is support in getting your licenses. Sometimes it is overwhelming when the market is volatile, but it’s worth it, and I have my own book of business and a career that I want.