Merrill Names New Head of Platforms and Capabilities

What You Need to Know

Merrill Lynch has appointed Casey Franz to serve as its head of Platforms and Capabilities.
She replaces Kabir Sethi, who recently left Merrill to join LPL.
During her 11 years with Merrill, she has held various positions, most recently managing director of operations optimization.

Merrill Lynch has appointed Casey Franz to serve as its head of Platforms and Capabilities, replacing Kabir Sethi, who recently left Merrill to join LPL Financial.

Sethi, who was managing director and head of digital wealth management at Merrill, was named managing director and chief product officer at LPL last month.

Franz will now lead Merrill’s digital transformation strategy and ongoing enhancements to its platforms, helping advisors provide a superior client experience that the firm described as “high tech and high touch.”

During her 11 years with the company, she has held various digital, client service, product and operations roles across wealth management, most recently serving as managing director of operations optimization for more than two years, according to her LinkedIn profile.

In her new role, she is reporting to Kirstin Hill, Merrill chief operating officer, and will “partner closely” with Christian Kitchell, chief experience officer for the company’s wealth management businesses, the firm said.