Our Philosophy

We believe your unique goals should be at the center of all of your financial decisions and form the foundation of your financial strategy. Because significant wealth requires customized goals-based financial strategies, we believe in building lasting relationships with a limited number of clients, taking the time to understand your most important priorities for today, tomorrow and your long-term future. Our philosophy celebrates collaboration. Working with a team of specialists, we draw on the resources and insights of a global financial institution to create strategies that reflect your aspirations for yourself and current and future generations of your family. Finally, we believe that while significant wealth brings complex challenges, our experience, passion and perspectives can help you simplify your life.

About the Brisbane Group

Our primary portfolio strategy is custom-tailored equity portfolios, with an emphasis on long-term, after-tax returns.

Maria Brisbane has over twenty-five years of portfolio management experience for individual and institutional clients.  Her team uses a family-office approach, combining asset management with every aspect of wealth management planning.  Situated within Merrill Private Wealth Management, we have a platform that includes the leading names in private equity, fixed-income management, and hedge funds.

The Brisbane Group has a limited number of clients, with fewer than forty individual families and endowments.  Nearly half of our clients are financial-services executives, who have been with Maria in some cases for two decades.  Many of Maria’s clients rely on her as their sole equity portfolio manager.

Before joining Merrill Maria worked for five years at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. and fourteen years at Bank of America Private Bank(formerly U.S. Trust).  She has a Master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor’s degree from New York University.  She is a CFA charter holder, received in 1999, and Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia Business School, where she teaches the practice of wealth management for high-net-worth clients.




*Some or all alternative investments may not be in the best interests for certain investors. Certain alternative investments carry significant risk and are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as mutual funds and other traditional investments. For these reasons, access to alternative investments may be limited to investors who are designated as sophisticated, high-net-worth investors.

*A Senior Portfolio Manager can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis her own Personalized or Defined Strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. A Senior Portfolio Manager may make their strategies available to clients working with other Merrill Advisors.

Custom-Tailored Equity Portfolios

Unlike most others in her position, Maria Brisbane was trained as a portfolio manager and also holds the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®). She is a former Portfolio Manager and Managing Director at Bank of America Private Bank(formerly US Trust), and began her investment career at Brown Brothers Harriman & Company. After completing its Management Training Program, Maria was selected as an institutional portfolio manager – responsible for managing the assets of pension plans, endowments, and not-for-profit organizations.

Today, Maria manages custom-tailored equity portfolios that place emphasis on large-growth stocks – with an effort to enhance performance through small biotechnology and technology companies. She also may include undervalued securities that can hold appeal due to takeover opportunities or restructuring. For some clients, Maria adds a bond portfolio and alternative investments to provide income and diversification. For all clients, Maria’s view is long term. Each custom-built portfolio seeks preservation with appreciation of assets to varying degrees as determined by a client’s personal preferences. An additional lens is used to focus on tax-minimization strategies.

In light of Maria’s investment acumen and reputation, she holds an exclusive position as the private sales referral network designated advisor at Merrill. Her experience and connections with the firm’s practice solutions group can be especially valuable to physicians and other professionals.

*Some or all alternative investments may not be in the best interests for certain investors. Certain alternative investments carry significant risk and are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as mutual funds and other traditional investments. For these reasons, access to alternative investments may be limited to investors who are designated as sophisticated, high-net-worth investors.

*Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Harnessing The Firm's Capabilities

As members of Merrill Private Wealth Management, The Brisbane Group is committed to a highly professional and proactive standard of client care. To do more for fewer people, frequent client discussions are encouraged – especially, to appreciate the evolving complexities in each client’s financial life.

To connect clients with the firm’s global resources in an intimate and discreet manner, The Brisbane Group facilitates meetings with the firm’s extensive network of trust and estate specialists, private bankers from Bank of America Private Bank(formerly US Trust) and others. To promote a multi-dimensional aspect to each relationship with consistency and clarity, these professionals share the group’s commitment to enhance the wealth and well being of clients and their families.

*Trust, fiduciary, and investment management services are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”), and its agents. Bank of America Private Bank is a division of Bank of America, N.A.