Ernesto Hernandez

Advisor at Merrill

Updated today
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Firm

Merrill

Location

Guaynabo, PR 00968

Credentials

Series 66

Industry experience

12 years

About

Ernesto Hernandez is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining Merrill in 2014 as a member of Estarellas, Hernandez & Associates, he has provided personalized wealth management strategies tailored to the unique priorities of high-net-worth individuals, their families, and businesses. Ernesto leverages Merrill's investment insights and the banking services of Bank of America to address clients' financial lives comprehensively, including estate planning, investments, tax minimization, wealth transfer, and retirement income.

With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry starting in 2011, Ernesto specializes in integrating corporate benefit programs—such as equity compensation and deferred compensation plans—into long-term financial approaches for corporate executives. He and his team focus on disciplined, customized strategies to build, manage, and preserve wealth across generations. Ernesto holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ernesto graduated from Academia del Perpetuo Socorro in 2008. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys outdoor activities and sports including water skiing, snow skiing, soccer, golf, and travel. Ernesto emphasizes client collaboration and invites prospective clients to explore how his expertise can support their financial goals.

Client services

Based on Merrill

Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers Educational seminars or workshops
Performance measurement reports, allocation modeling, ips, research reports and services, see schedule d

Expertise

Wealth management Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Business exit / sale strategy General estate planning guidance General tax planning

Location

15 2 Nd St / 15 Calle 2

Guaynabo, PR 00968

Most active in

Florida · Texas

Work history

BANK of AMERICA, N.A.

2015 - Present (11 years)

Merrill

2014 - Present (12 years)

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Candida B

Series 63, Series 66

Guaynabo, PR

Merrill

Candida Bobonis Roig is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She began her career in the financial services sector in 1988 and has been affiliated with Merrill Lynch since 1996. Candida works alongside a team including financial advisors Dario Ochoa Garcia, Franco Fullana, and Miguel Velez, focusing on providing advisory services to successful individuals and families, including business owners, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and physicians. Candida holds the FINRA Series 7 and 63 registrations and is licensed in state variable life insurance and annuities. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, and holds an M.B.A. from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. She communicates professionally in both Spanish and English and is a member of organizations such as Para La Naturaleza. Outside of her professional role, Candida is involved in community initiatives including Fundación Síndrome Down and Para La Naturaleza. Her personal interests include boating, gardening, spending time with her family, and traveling.

Wealth management ESG / Sustainable investing General retirement planning Social Security optimization General tax planning

Natalie T

Series 66

Guaynabo, PR

Merrill

Natalie Theut Jimenez is an International Wealth Advisor with the Lilley & Theut Global Wealth Management Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been a financial services professional since 2015, specializing in connecting all aspects of clients' financial lives to help prioritize and pursue their most important goals. Natalie works closely with high net worth investors to understand their personal and professional priorities, customizing strategies across areas such as family wealth management, retirement planning, tax minimization, and investment strategy. Before her career in financial advisory, Natalie held academic positions as a math professor at Metropolitan University in San Juan and as an instructor in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez campus. She also gained experience as a Junior Engineer at Barret, Hale & Alamo. Natalie earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. She received her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation in 2020 and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. Natalie is involved with the Club De Leones de San Juan and has personal interests including adventure sports, hiking, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with her family.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Tax-loss harvesting Planning for children with special needs Women Professionals Women's Finance HENRY (High Earners, Not Rich Yet)

Alex G

Series 63, Series 65

Guaynabo, PR

Merrill

Alex Gierbolini is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in delivering a customized approach to wealth management, emphasizing a thorough analysis of clients' financial situations, needs, and goals. Alex integrates Merrill's investment insights and Bank of America's banking services to develop flexible strategies that adapt to evolving client circumstances and market conditions. With over 26 years of experience in financial advising, including 12 years at UBS before joining Merrill Lynch in 2012, Alex holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA) designation. He is registered to conduct business in California, Florida, and New York. Alex earned his bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Puerto Rico and communicates fluently in both English and Spanish. Alex is actively involved in his community as a former board member of the Baptist Health Foundation of Miami and currently serves on the board of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico. He also volunteers with the Pediatric Diabetes Foundation of Puerto Rico. Residing in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Alex enjoys fitness activities such as long-distance running and golf, and he lives with his wife and three children.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Executive Women Professionals

Franco F

Series 63, Series 65

Guaynabo, PR

Merrill

Franco Fullana is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a partner in The Bobonis, Ochoa and Fullana Group. He has been with Merrill Lynch since November 2010 and began his career in wealth management in 2000. Franco focuses on serving high net worth clients, including physicians, attorneys, engineers, business owners, and families with inherited wealth, helping them diversify their portfolios across asset classes and international markets. Franco's approach integrates investment strategies with tax planning and estate planning, often collaborating with attorneys and CPAs to set up trusts, wills, or LLCs tailored to clients' needs. He emphasizes the importance of diversification and leverages Merrill Lynch's global research and proprietary model portfolios while customizing solutions with professional managers. Franco holds a Bachelor's Degree from Universidad de PR Recinto Mayaguez and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is fluent in Spanish and English. Outside of his professional life, Franco and his wife Melissa are parents to two daughters. They enjoy spending time at their country house with family and friends. Franco has interests in Puerto Rican cuisine, cooking, travel, and boating.

Wealth management Multi-state taxation Business ownership considerations General estate planning guidance Trust structures (GRAT, IDGT, revocable) Doctor or Medical Professional Attorney Engineering Professional Founder/Business Owner Established Professionals Women Professionals

Dario O

Series 63, Series 65

Guaynabo, PR

Merrill

Dario Ochoa is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over two decades of experience in banking and wealth management. He serves as a partner of The Bobonis, Ochoa and Fullana Group, where he focuses on developing individualized wealth management strategies and portfolio asset allocations for his clients. His expertise includes managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. Dario works closely with clients such as physicians, entrepreneurs, former business owners, and second-generation wealth recipients, including guidance for U.S.-based investors relocating to Puerto Rico. Dario leverages a combination of his extensive investment knowledge and the firm’s global research and technology to offer customized portfolio management. He is a qualified Portfolio Manager who builds and manages personalized strategies incorporating individual securities, proprietary Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment solutions, frequently managing these on a discretionary basis through the firm's Investment Advisory Program. He also collaborates with clients’ legal and accounting professionals to facilitate trust, will, and LLC formations when appropriate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dario enjoys traveling, golfing, reading, and spending time watching baseball and soccer matches with his family.

Wealth management General retirement planning Inheritance planning Business ownership considerations Entity structure planning (LLC, S-Corp)

Lizzette B

Series 63, Series 66

Guaynabo, PR

Merrill

Lizzette Bobonis Roig is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been in the financial services sector since 1988 and joined Merrill Lynch in 1996. In her role, she focuses on serving high-net-worth individuals and corporations, assisting them in achieving their personal and financial goals through tailored investment strategies and portfolio management. Lizzette holds the FINRA Series 7 and 63 registrations and is licensed in state variable life insurance and annuities. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Puerto Rico in 1988 and a Master's degree from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. Lizzette is fluent in both Spanish and English and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. She is part of The Bobonis, Ochoa & Fullana Group, working alongside a team that emphasizes client service and long-term wealth management. Beyond her professional career, Lizzette is involved with community organizations such as Fundacion Syndrome Down and Para La Naturaleza. She resides in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with her spouse David and their adult twins. Her personal interests include boating, gardening, cooking, music, traveling, and organizing community service projects related to her children's school.

Wealth management Annuities Social Security optimization ESG / Sustainable investing Attorney Doctor or Medical Professional Founder/Business Owner Intergenerational Families Values-based investing SRI/ESG (Socially Responsible Investing/Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance)
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