Secrets of the Skim: A Merrill Lynch financial advisor's tale of the raw greed and cultural rot harbored in the belly of Wall Street's most (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781449946937)

Hal Blackwell earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from University of South Carolina and enjoyed an extensive career in business, owning and managing two businesses, prior to being hired by Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor in 2005. In the ensuing four years, many high-profile, retired corporate executives and sports figures trusted Hal with their personal fortunes. In August 2008, he accurately predicted the coming financial crisis and took bold action on behalf of his clients. In a bold move of conscience he counseled his clients to move into cash and other liquid investments in late September 2008 just before the market plunge in October. To his shock and amazement this action put him at odds with Merrill Lynch management. Instead of acknowledging his courage, Merrill Lynch management admonished Hal for forfeiting the firm's revenue. A guest lecturer at Clemson University's Graduate School of Entrepreneurship, Hal teaches seminars on win/win negotiation, sale of corporations, and corporate decision making. President of HE Blackwell Advisor, LLC, he consults on subjects like corporate debt structure, acquisition funding, distressed debt valuation, and capital utilization. He often is asked to lend his expertise interpreting market and economic fundamentals within the U.S. and global economy.