Paul Lambert is a Managing Director and the Head of Strategy and Business Development at Bates Group. A 30-year financial services veteran at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Paul was most recently President of Bank of America, Chicago Market and Merrill Lynch Division Executive spanning 14 midwestern states with 2,500 advisors across 110 offices. In those positions, Paul successfully shaped strategy, served clients across the entire company, improved revenue and financial performance, fostered a well-supervised business that prided itself on strong compliance, and drove record employee engagement.
Previous roles for Paul included Regional Managing Director leading the firm’s ultra-high net worth business in the Midwest and Director of the Merrill Lynch New York Capital Complex based in Albany, New York where he earned special recognition as one of the Capital Region’s “Best Places to Work” in 2005 and 2006, as well as the 2007 Capital Region Human Resources Association “Spectrum Award” for promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace. Paul also held many national strategy, leadership, and coaching roles.
Paul joined Merrill Lynch in 1992 as a Financial Advisor in the Rochester, New York office where he founded and grew a wealth management business to a team of six associates working with more than 400 HNW clients and $200 million plus in assets. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science/Finance from SUNY Geneseo as well as Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Chartered Retirement Planning Consultant (CRPC) designations. He maintains Series 3, 7, 8, 31, 63, and 65 licenses.
Outside of work, he has served on the Board of Trustees for the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Community Trust, Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and Albany Medical Center. He also helped develop and launch We Rise Together, an initiative to promote an equitable and just recovery post-pandemic.
Paul's Top Areas of Expertise
- Branch Management
- Investment Management
- Duties/Responsibilities; WM Delivery, Recruiting, Complaint Resolution
Paul is a consultant and subject matter expert in these Practice Areas and Services:
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Securities and Financial Services Litigation & Consulting
- Retail Securities
Credentials
EXPERIENCE
Bates Group, Managing Director, Head of Strategy and Business Development, 2022 – Present
Capital Preferences, Senior Advisor, 2024 – present
Bank of Americal Merrill Lynch, 2011 - 2022; Bank of America Chicago Market President, 2017 – 2022 ; Merrill Lynch Midwest Division Executive, 2011 – 2022
Bank of America - Merrill Private Wealth Management, Midwest Regional Managing Director, 2007 – 2011
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, 2001 - 2007; Market Executive Director – Merrill New York Capital Complex, 2004 – 2007; Associate Director – Paramus Complex, Regional Sales Manager – NYC Metro Region, 2001 - 2004
Merrill Lynch, 1992 - 2001; Resident Director, 1999 – 2001, Wealth Management Advisor, Assistant Vice President, Sales Manager, 1992 – 1999
MT&T Bank, Credit Counselor, 1990 – 1992
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science (BS), Management Science and Finance, State University of New York
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/LICENSING
- Securities Exams; FINRA Series 3, 7, 8, 31, 63, and 65; Life & Health.
- Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)
- Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC)
- Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; National Coach, Advisor, and Leader