Community Leaders in Finance, Insurance & Law: Joe Laverty

Story by Amelia Bowen

In an age of financial influencers, viral investment advice and artificial intelligence, Joe Laverty believes one thing remains irreplaceable: sitting down with someone you trust. As a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Joe helps clients navigate complex financial decisions through personalized planning and long-term guidance. While technology has transformed the financial industry, he believes the human element remains as important as ever. Joe’s interest in finance began long before he entered the profession. Growing up, he learned about stocks, markets and investing from his mother, who spent her career as a financial advisor and later retired as a private wealth manager with Fidelity. “I’ve known ever since I was a kid this is what I’ve wanted to do,” Joe says. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in economics, Joe built a diverse professional background in analytics, Six Sigma and corporate finance before joining Merrill in 2022. During his time with companies including Vantiv, now Worldpay, and Cintas, he received Innovation Awards for developing streamlined processes and was selected to work within Vantiv’s Corporate Finance Division, where he helped manage forecasting, budgets and financial reporting. Since joining Merrill, Joe has earned the firm’s Merrill Growth Award each year from 2023 through the present. He also received recognition as one of VIP Bowling Green’s 40 Under 40 honorees. Joe says one of Merrill’s greatest strengths is its ability to provide customized solutions while offering access to a full suite of financial services. In addition to investment management and financial planning, clients can access banking, lending and business planning resources through the broader Bank of America platform. Originally from Cincinnati, Joe and his wife Heather chose Bowling Green as home after welcoming their first daughter, Vivienne. Today, they are raising Vivienne and Francesca alongside three dogs and a cat that unexpectedly joined the family. Although he was not born in Bowling Green, Joe says he has quickly grown to appreciate the community’s unique blend of opportunity and connection. He describes the city as a place where longtime residents and newcomers continue to shape its future together. “Bowling Green is a melting pot,” he says. “It’s a place where you can build a business, raise a family and still enjoy the benefits of a close-knit community.” Joe hopes to see Bowling Green continue attracting new opportunities while preserving the sense of community that makes it unique. He believes the city’s location, growing economy and quality of life position it for continued success in the years ahead. When asked for financial advice, Joe emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from trusted professionals. “In a world filled with online opinions, social media influencers and artificial intelligence tools, there is still tremendous value in sitting down with someone who understands your individual goals and circumstances,” he says. For Joe, financial planning remains a people-centered profession built on trust, relationships and helping clients create the future they envision for themselves and their families.