Kenny Merlo, RICP, CDFA
Senior Financial Advisor
Senior Vice President - Investment Officer
Focus
Kenny helps clients prioritize financial goals, understand retirement, build an investment plan and manage investments that are designed to evolve with unique life circumstances and events. Whether it’s a liquidity event, inheritance or property sale, his experiences and resources available help him navigate. The understanding of these life events become liberating to clients because they now have guidance and can make informed decisions.
His two designations help him work closely with clients and in some cases their attorneys to support making informed financial decisions. Such careful planning is not a single event – it is a process, and one that he undertakes with pride and integrity.
Background and Experience
Kenny joined Wells Fargo Bank & Co. in 2000. His work experience, education and ambition have afforded him an advancement in his career. He transitioned from a Banker and Investment Consultant to Financial Consultant Associate with Wells Fargo Advisors in 2007. Soon after he and Senior. Financial Advisor Joseph Nelson formed a team on Sand Hill Road and in 2010, they relocated to downtown Menlo Park. Their team is called “Nelson & Merlo Wealth Management of Wells Fargo Advisors.” The team of six has over $938 million under management, as of Nov 2024. Kenny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from San Jose State University.
Accomplishments
Kenny has two designations: Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation from, The American College of Financial Services and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation from, The Institute for Divorce Financial Analyst™ (IDFA™). In 2022, 2023 & 2024 Kenny received the Five Star Wealth Manager * award for the San Francisco region. In 2024 and again this year his team was recognized as one of “Forbes 2025 Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams**.” For 25 years, he has demonstrated professionalism to clients as well as team members.
Away from the office
Kenny grew up in Redwood City, California. As a native speaker he’s fluent in Spanish. Hobbies include: soccer, running, boxing, mountain biking, golfing, snowboarding, auto racing and cooking. He enjoys traveling abroad to attend soccer games and has visited over 25 countries to admire their cultures and cuisines.
CA Insurance # OF59806 Resident State: CA
Additional Links:
My Website
The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit Wells Fargo Advisors or its Financial Advisors to provide legal advice, nor is it meant to imply that the firm or its associates are acting as experts in this field.
*About Five Star Wealth Manager Award
The Five Star Wealth Manager award was issued on 11/1/24 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 2/13/24 through 8/30/24. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2500 San Francisco-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 46 (2% of candidates) were named 2024 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2023: 2,346, 40, 2%, 11/1/23, 2/13/23 - 8/31/23; 2022: 2017, 40, 2%, 11/1/22, 3/7/22 - 9/2/22; 2021: 2025, 32, 2%, 11/1/21, 2/8/21 - 9/10/21; 2020: 2026, 40, 2%, 11/1/20, 3/2/20 - 9/25/20; 2019: 2012, 47, 2%, 11/1/19, 2/18/19 - 10/7/19; 2018: 1881, 46, 2%, 11/1/18, 3/12/18 - 9/28/18; 2017: 1488, 49, 3%, 11/1/17, 3/9/17 - 9/27/17; 2016: 1442, 96, 7%, 10/1/16, 4/22/16 - 9/30/16; 2015: 1598, 107, 7%, 11/1/15, 5/7/15 - 10/5/15; 2014: 3256, 93, 3%, 11/1/14, 5/7/13 - 10/5/13. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria - required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria - considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
**About Forbes Best-in- State Wealth Management Teams
2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23 - 3/31/24 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year's industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 11,674 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 5,331 (45.66% percent of candidates) were named 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams.
2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 - 3/31/23 (Source: Forbes.com).The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
Kenny helps clients prioritize financial goals, understand retirement, build an investment plan and manage investments that are designed to evolve with unique life circumstances and events. Whether it’s a liquidity event, inheritance or property sale, his experiences and resources available help him navigate. The understanding of these life events become liberating to clients because they now have guidance and can make informed decisions.
His two designations help him work closely with clients and in some cases their attorneys to support making informed financial decisions. Such careful planning is not a single event – it is a process, and one that he undertakes with pride and integrity.
Background and Experience
Kenny joined Wells Fargo Bank & Co. in 2000. His work experience, education and ambition have afforded him an advancement in his career. He transitioned from a Banker and Investment Consultant to Financial Consultant Associate with Wells Fargo Advisors in 2007. Soon after he and Senior. Financial Advisor Joseph Nelson formed a team on Sand Hill Road and in 2010, they relocated to downtown Menlo Park. Their team is called “Nelson & Merlo Wealth Management of Wells Fargo Advisors.” The team of six has over $938 million under management, as of Nov 2024. Kenny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from San Jose State University.
Accomplishments
Kenny has two designations: Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation from, The American College of Financial Services and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation from, The Institute for Divorce Financial Analyst™ (IDFA™). In 2022, 2023 & 2024 Kenny received the Five Star Wealth Manager * award for the San Francisco region. In 2024 and again this year his team was recognized as one of “Forbes 2025 Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams**.” For 25 years, he has demonstrated professionalism to clients as well as team members.
Away from the office
Kenny grew up in Redwood City, California. As a native speaker he’s fluent in Spanish. Hobbies include: soccer, running, boxing, mountain biking, golfing, snowboarding, auto racing and cooking. He enjoys traveling abroad to attend soccer games and has visited over 25 countries to admire their cultures and cuisines.
CA Insurance # OF59806 Resident State: CA
Additional Links:
My Website
The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit Wells Fargo Advisors or its Financial Advisors to provide legal advice, nor is it meant to imply that the firm or its associates are acting as experts in this field.
*About Five Star Wealth Manager Award
The Five Star Wealth Manager award was issued on 11/1/24 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 2/13/24 through 8/30/24. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2500 San Francisco-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 46 (2% of candidates) were named 2024 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2023: 2,346, 40, 2%, 11/1/23, 2/13/23 - 8/31/23; 2022: 2017, 40, 2%, 11/1/22, 3/7/22 - 9/2/22; 2021: 2025, 32, 2%, 11/1/21, 2/8/21 - 9/10/21; 2020: 2026, 40, 2%, 11/1/20, 3/2/20 - 9/25/20; 2019: 2012, 47, 2%, 11/1/19, 2/18/19 - 10/7/19; 2018: 1881, 46, 2%, 11/1/18, 3/12/18 - 9/28/18; 2017: 1488, 49, 3%, 11/1/17, 3/9/17 - 9/27/17; 2016: 1442, 96, 7%, 10/1/16, 4/22/16 - 9/30/16; 2015: 1598, 107, 7%, 11/1/15, 5/7/15 - 10/5/15; 2014: 3256, 93, 3%, 11/1/14, 5/7/13 - 10/5/13. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria - required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria - considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
**About Forbes Best-in- State Wealth Management Teams
2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23 - 3/31/24 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year's industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 11,674 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 5,331 (45.66% percent of candidates) were named 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams.
2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 - 3/31/23 (Source: Forbes.com).The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.