One of my recent book editing projects has now been published and is available on Amazon: “Secrets of the Skim” by Hal Blackwell. A few months ago Hal contacted me and asked me to edit a book he was writing about his experiences at the Merrill Lynch office in Blueberg, South Carolina. Don’t think there’s much money in Blueberg? Think again. Hal handled many high-profile, retired corporate executives and sports figures who had eight-figure investment accounts. But in late September 2008, Hal saw the financial meltdown coming and he took bold action on behalf of his clients. Just before the market plunged in October, he urged his clients to get out of the stock market and move into cash and other liquid investments.
Do you think that his bosses at Merrill Lynch were pleased? They were not. To Hal’s shock and amazement his advice enraged Merrill Lynch management, who admonished him for jeopardizing the firm’s revenue: the relentless “skim” that produces a steady flow of cash from fees that are charged to every securities account regardless of trading activity. If his clients converted to cash, the fees would dry up. For acting in his clients’ best interests and helping many of them to save millions, Hal Blackwell was drummed out of Merrill Lynch.
Fortunately Hal landed on his feet and today he’s president of HE Blackwell Advisor, LLC, consulting on subjects like corporate debt structure, acquisition funding, distressed debt valuation, and capital utilization. He’s also a terrific writer.
The book reads like a financial services thriller. It tells a story that every American ought to hear. I’m grateful to have made a small contribution to what I know will be a very successful book.
Secrets of the Skim by Hal Blackwell
– From his office in Gloucester, MA, an hour north of Boston, editor Thomas Hauck provides professional proofreading, ghostwriting, and book editing services for authors in the Boston area, New England, the United States, and worldwide. For unmatched personal service, contact Thomas Hauck book editor today.