Merrill and IMG Academy Launch Partnership to Bring Financial Education to Student-Athletes

"Athletes today are navigating an increasingly complex financial landscape and are expected to make decisions at an early age that can have a significant impact on their futures," said Greg McGauley, Head of Merrill Private Wealth Management, International and Institutional Groups. "That is why this partnership with IMG Academy is so important and timely. It offers students and their parents the education and resources to help them make informed financial decisions now and in the future."

Recognizing the growing need for financial advice and having long-served clients in the sports industry, Merrill increased its commitment three years ago through the introduction of a dedicated Sports & Entertainment group. These advisors are well-versed in the unique challenges that the sports industry presents, and work with their sports clients to address these challenges. With the IMG Academy partnership, Merrill advisors will provide specialized personal financial education to IMG Academy student-athletes and families through a curriculum that incorporates Bank of America's free financial education resource, Better Money Habits, and covering such topics as:

• Basic of savings and spending,
• Introduction to credit,
• General Investing information from Merrill, and more.

IMG Academy's intentional and unparalleled focus on holistic personal development sets it apart from any other education brand or institution in the world. It is the only prep school in the world with a dedicated staff of more than 100 specialists focused specifically on intentional personal development in the areas of leadership, mental performance, nutrition, communication, and sports science. IMG Academy across its boarding school and digital products, NCSA College Recruiting and IMG Academy+, helps place more than 30,000 student-athletes onto college athletic rosters annually.

"Given the modern high school and collegiate student-athlete landscape, it is becoming increasingly important to develop financial literacy at a younger age," said Brent Richard, CEO of IMG Academy.  "Establishing a partnership that provides our student-athletes and their families financial resources and knowledge is another significant addition to our holistic education curriculum, and only further increases the value of an IMG Academy education."

The financial education program will be offered to students and their families attending IMG Academy's onsite boarding school in Bradenton, Fla., and through their online program, IMG Academy+. The curriculum will go into effect during the 2024/2025 academic year and will include educational sessions, campus-wide assemblies, self-study materials, and an opportunity for students and their families to meet with a Merrill advisor one-on-one.

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 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 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).

IMG Academy

IMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via the IMG Academy+ brand, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance.
• Online college recruiting, via the NCSA brand, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches.

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

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 SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

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Reporters may contact:

Julia Ehrenfeld, Bank of America  
Phone: 1.646.855.3267
[email protected]

Mike Lovecchio, IMG Academy
Phone: 1.941.577.2961
[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation