Casey Franz Named to Lead Digital Strategy at Merrill Lynch

Merrill Lynch has named Casey Franz as its new head of platforms and capabilities.

Franz will lead digital transformation strategy and ongoing enhancements to the firm’s platforms, said Merrill, describing a “high tech and high touch” client experience delivered by its advisors.

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Franz replaces Kabir Sethi, who left the role late last month to lead LPL Financial’s wealth management solutions group. She will report to Merrill Chief Operating Officer Kirstin Hill and work closely with Christian Kitchell, chief experience officer for the company’s wealth management businesses.

Casey Franz

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“We are continuously investing in and advancing our digital capabilities to surpass the expectations of clients and advisors,” Hill said. “Casey’s experience and track record leading transformative initiatives make her the ideal person for this role.”

A graduate of Virginia Tech University with degrees in finance and accounting, Franz has been with Merrill for 11 years. She served as managing director of operations optimization before heading up Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness and SBA Loan Review for Bank of America for the last two years, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Having held a variety of digital, client service, product and operations roles across wealth management, Merrill noted that Franz has extensive experience integrating wealth management platforms and experiences across the enterprise.

Part of the Bank of America Corp., Merrill provides wealth management and investment services though Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management, claiming approximately $3.1 trillion in client balances—including assets under management, client brokerage assets and assets in custody of Merrill entities, as well as loan balances and deposits of Merrill clients held at Bank of America and affiliated banks—as of March 31, 2022.