Bank of America has hired more than 50 Merrill Edge financial solutions advisors – meant to provide specialized assistance to certain wealth management clients – in its central New England region, stretching from Hartford to Boston.

The new hires are part of a national initiative to bring the number of financial solutions advisors (FSAs) to more than 1,000 nationwide by the end of the year. The bank is beefing up its FSA numbers "as part of its overall commitment to enhance the solutions and guidance it offers to preferred customers," according to a statement.

Preferred customers are defined as those with investable assets of $50,000 to $250,000, the bank said. According to a recent Merrill Edge report, some of the top priorities for preferred customers include tracking and managing money and budgeting (72 percent), saving for retirement (67 percent) and balancing short- and long-term financial needs (63 percent).

"Our banking centers are a critical part of how Bank of America builds and deepens relationships, illustrated by the fact that they are where customers make two-thirds of their purchase decisions," said Matt Gellene, East Division executive, based in Boston. "By placing more Merrill Edge FSAs in banking centers throughout the country, we are better equipped to serve our Preferred customers. They have the benefit of personal attention from a specialist who can recommend solutions tailored to meet their specific financial needs."