Innovative investing platform and access to thousands of advisors helps investors with nearly 4 million accounts pursue their financial goals

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bank of America today announced its Consumer Investments business has grown to more than $500 billion in client assets, a more than 10-fold increase since the business started a decade ago. This includes nearly 4 million client accounts with Merrill Edge Self-Directed and Merrill Guided Investing, built on Merrill’s industry-leading technology and investment offerings.

“The launch of Merrill Edge over a decade ago solidified our competitive advantage enabling us to fully meet the banking, lending and investing needs of all 69 million consumer and small business clients,” said Aron Levine, President of Preferred Banking. “Together with Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, we’re using the power of Bank of America to help clients build wealth and manage their entire financial lives.”

Consumer Investments clients have increasingly opted for managed account options based on their unique investment needs, reinforcing the high-tech, high-touch approach clients receive through the Merrill Edge platform and from more than 3,000 financial solutions advisors.

Financial solutions advisors are available across the bank’s network of more than 3,700 financial centers. The bank recently announced plans to expand it financial center network and completion of a multi-year renovation initiative to modernize its centers to create more spaces for nearly 10 million client appointments per year with financial specialists.

“Our high-tech, high-touch approach sets us apart and the number of Consumer Investments accounts has continued to increase every year as clients enjoy our advanced digital platform,” said Matt Gellene, Head of Consumer Investments and Employee Banking & Investments. “They also appreciate access to our financial specialists, with more than 80% of new accounts being opened after meeting with one of our Financial Solutions Advisors.”

Currently, 33% of all Consumer Investments accounts are held by Gen Z and Millennial clients, and these young adults represent over half (52%) of all Merrill Guided Investing accounts.

A recent report from Bank of America Institute found nearly three-in-five (58%) Gen Z and Millennials are teaching themselves how to invest. Other sources of investing knowledge include their parents (41%), financial professionals (28%), and learning in school (26%).

Industry-leading investment solutions

When launched in 2010, Merrill Edge Self-Directed gave Bank of America clients access to Merrill’s personalized guidance and exclusive tools. Since its launch, Merrill Edge Self-Directed has filled a gap in the marketplace, helping clients confidently put their investing ideas into action by offering personalized guidance, insights and tools such as:

Dynamic Insights, an AI-driven experience that sorts through the large quantity of data that is available to investors to create a personalized dashboard of timely, relevant market information and personalized portfolio insights based on each client’s unique investing style and preferences.Idea Builder, an AI-driven innovation that helps clients find, validate, and monitor their investing ideas. Whether clients are new to investing or more experienced, Idea Builder helps investors make more informed and confident investing decisions.

In 2017, Bank of America clients gained access to Merrill Guided Investing, a goals-based advisory program and one of the first online platforms to provide convenient digital access to investment strategies that are developed and managed by experts, rather than algorithms. Merrill has steadily invested in the platform, including rolling out Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor in 2019, which combines the digital platform with guidance from a financial solutions advisor.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member Securities Investor Protection (SIPC)popup and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”).

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”).

Bank of America Private Bank is a division of Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (BofA Corp.).

“Bank of America” is the marketing name for the global banking and global markets business of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“Investment Banking Affiliates”), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, both of which are registered broker-dealers and Members of SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. is registered as a futures commission merchant with the CFTC and is a member of the NFA.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Reporters may contact:

Andy Aldridge, Bank of America
Phone: 1.980.387.0514
andrew.aldridge@bofa.com

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SOURCE Bank of America Corporation

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, XPPen has officially launched a remarkable addition to its professional digital drawing display lineup: the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2), a 22-inch unparalleled drawing display that ignites all-round performance, making it an ideal choice for artists and creative professionals at a competitive price.

“With the introduction of the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2), we are excited to offer professional creatives a dynamic platform that truly empowers their artistic vision. This 22-inch high-performance drawing display not only maintains the exceptional color performance and digital pen responsiveness of the Pro series but also features an upgraded 2.5K etched glass screen, designed to meet the demands of professional users. This enhancement significantly boosts overall performance while still offering an impressive competitive price. It’s the perfect companion for anyone committed to achieving high-quality work,” said Amy Yuan, Marketing Director of XPPen.

The Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) features a stunning 2.5K QHD resolution and Calman-certified color performance, boasting 99% Adobe RGB color gamut coverage and a high color accuracy with ΔE < 1, ensuring that every nuance of color and line is rendered with exceptional fidelity. Priced at $699, this display is equipped with the X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus offering 16K pressure levels and a full-laminated AG Nano Etched Glass design, exemplifying the brand’s commitment to user experience and innovative design. The Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) also comes with a range of valuable accessories, including the ACK05 Bluetooth Remote Control and ACS02 Stand, further enhancing the overall creative experience.

Outstanding Display Performance: Experience 2.5K Clarity and Calman Verified Color Performance

The Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) has achieved Calman Verified professional color certification, ensuring its color accuracy is recognized by authoritative standards. Each drawing display undergoes rigorous 3D LUT calibration and testing, accompanied by a factory-issued Calman color certification report to guarantee precise color representation in your work. With an impressive 99% Adobe RGB color gamut coverage, this display unlocks limitless creative possibilities, capturing every subtle shift in color to inspire endless creativity.

Boasting a high color accuracy with ΔE < 1, the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) minimizes color discrepancies, ensuring that every tone is rendered with precision. This drawing display can render 16.7 million colors, allowing users to experience exceptional color performance that meets the high standards of today’s artists. Users can seamlessly switch between sRGB, Adobe RGB, and Display P3 color spaces to accommodate various creative needs, ensuring consistency and precision across different devices and environments. Additionally, it features DC dimming technology to eliminate flicker issues, helping to reduce eye strain and protect visual health during long hours of creative work. Let true colors ignite your creative sparks and support the achievement of exceptional works.

Silky Smooth and Convenient: Industry-Leading 16K Pressure Levels and Versatile Accessories

The Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) is powered by the advanced X3 Pro digital chip, featuring an industry-leading 16K pressure levels, delivering an incredibly realistic drawing experience. The included felt nib mimics the texture of real paper, ensuring smooth and fluid strokes with every touch. Dual shortcut keys and a virtual eraser design enhance user experience, while the silicone grip provides comfort for extended creative sessions.

Compatible with the X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus series, the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) supports 60° tilt recognition, allowing for effortless shading and line variation. All X3 Pro series digital pens feature pen ID recognition, enabling the system to automatically identify and load personalized settings for different stylus types, eliminating the need for cumbersome reconfiguration steps and allowing users to enjoy a seamless, efficient creative experience immediately.

Additionally, the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) includes the ACK05 Bluetooth Remote Control and ACS02 Stand, significantly boosting productivity and empowering creators to freely express their ideas while leveraging advanced tools to push the boundaries of their artistry.

As XPPen’s latest offering, the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) combines cutting-edge technology with user-centric design to enhance both creative efficiency and comfort.

XPPen is committed to integrating innovative tools that elevate artistic experience and inspire greater creativity. This product will be officially available on January 10, 2024. The Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) is priced at $699. For more information, please visit the XPPen official website or explore the product at this link.

https://www.xp-pen.com/store/buy/artist-pro-22-gen2.html 

Pricing information may vary depending on regional market.

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SOURCE XPPen Technology Co., Ltd.

RADNOR, Pa., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and advanced technology industries, announced that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results before the market opens on Friday, February 7, and will hold a conference call to discuss the results on the same day at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

To hear a live audio webcast of the session, visit Events & Presentations in the Investor section of Avantor’s website, ir.avantorsciences.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days.

About Avantor
Avantor® is a leading life science tools company and global provider of mission-critical products and services to the life sciences and advanced technology industries. We work side-by-side with customers at every step of the scientific journey to enable breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare, and technology. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities at more than 300,000 customer locations in 180 countries. For more information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Investor Relations Contact
Allison Hosak
Senior Vice President, Global Communications
Avantor
908.329.7281
Allison.Hosak@avantorsciences.com 

Global Media Contact
Eric Van Zanten
Head of External Communications
Avantor
610-529-6219
Eric.VanZanten@avantorsciences.com

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SOURCE Avantor and Financial News