Sullivan Mermel is a registered investment advisor founded in 1999 and based in Chicago, Illinois. Led by Bridget Sullivan Mermel and Luke Van de Loo, the firm specializes in providing personalized, confidential financial planning and investment management to individuals and families. Sullivan Mermel operates as a fee-only firm, meaning they do not sell insurance or investment products, nor do they accept commissions or referral fees. Their services are delivered primarily through an annual retainer model that covers comprehensive financial planning—including tax planning, retirement planning, estate plan reviews, cash flow budgeting, and investment portfolio guidance. When executing investment recommendations, Sullivan Mermel typically operates on a non-discretionary basis, meaning they require your explicit approval for each specific trade. The firm emphasizes a holistic approach tailored to each client's unique objectives and risk tolerance.
Fee Structure
Sullivan Mermel does not charge investment management fees based on a percentage of your portfolio. Instead, investment guidance is bundled into their annual financial planning retainer. If you authorize them to execute trades on your behalf, they help build an asset allocation strategy and recommend no-load mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, while working through your chosen custodian such as Charles Schwab.
