As a Mexican by birth, a Californian as a teen, and a South Floridian as an adult — and as someone who is open about sharing his personal life — it’s probably not surprising that Juan Carlos Bastida has developed a wide network of friends and clients throughout the U.S. and Latin America. One important aspect of his personal life is his active involvement in the LGBTQ+ community in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. He participates in Pride Network walks and other events in Broward, Dade and Palm Beach counties and tries to create awareness and to volunteer whenever he has the opportunity. Bastida joined Merrill Lynch in Plantation, Florida, three years ago after a career route that was somewhat circuitous. “I always knew I was analytical and got a job at American Express as a business analyst,” he said. “But after a while I realized I also wanted to work with people and went to work for Washington Mutual in the mortgage area.”
After JPMorgan Chase acquired the bank, Bastida transferred to the wealth management operation, got licensed and discovered he had a passion for investments. Now at Merrill Lynch, Bastida was one of just eight advisers nationally to be nominated to the firm’s Advisory Council to Management, which provides input on ways to help advisers be more successful. “What’s been successful for me is always being transparent with clients about myself and about being interested in them and their personal lives. That’s what creates trust.”
— Evan Cooper