Dwight Guinto
Private Banker
My Mission Statement
Aaron helps clients structure portfolios for flexibility - drawing on his hedge fund experience so they're not forced into financial decisions at the wrong time.
His work focuses on turning complexity into clarity so clients can make better decisions.
His work focuses on turning complexity into clarity so clients can make better decisions.
My Story and Services
Before working with private clients at Morgan Stanley, I worked in the institutional investment world as a hedge fund portfolio manager specializing in long/short equity, derivatives, volatility and complex portfolio structures.
That experience shaped how I think about risk, liquidity and portfolio construction – specifically how portfolios behave under stress, not just in favorable markets.
Over time, it became clear that many individual investors don't struggle from a lack of opportunity, but rather from being forced to make decisions at the wrong time – when the structure of their wealth makes it difficult to raise cash, rebalance, or wait when market conditions deteriorate.
I designed my practice around addressing those constraints:
Moving Beyond the Traditional 60/40 Framework
Rather than relying on a single allocation framework, I think in terms of capital roles. Portfolios are structured so capital is intentionally assigned to [1] Liquidity, [2] Stability, [3] Public Growth, and where appropriate, [4] Private Growth – reducing the likelihood that volatility dictates timing or behavior.
Turning Paper Wealth into Practical Flexibility
This approach is especially relevant for clients with concentrated or illiquid assets, where wealth may exist on paper but flexibility is limited in practice. In these situations, the work is less about maximizing returns and more about improving how and when wealth can be accessed without introducing unnecessary friction.
International Wealth Planning
I also work with international families navigating the transition into the U.S. financial system, where differences in structure, taxation and access can create unintended constraints if left unaddressed.
On a personal note, I was born in Australia, grew up in Hong Kong, and came to the U.S. for college – where I've since made my home.
Outside of work, I'm drawn to disciplines centered on craftsmanship and endurance: fine fabrics, leather, traditional techniques such as Urushi lacquer and mechanical watchmaking. These are crafts that reward patience, precision and respect for process – values that also shape how I think about long-term capital stewardship.
Securities Agent: AZ, NV, IL, TN, NY, NM, MA, IN, WA, VA, UT, OH, NH, GA, FL, TX, NJ, MD, DE, CO, SC, RI, MN, DC, CA, PA, OR, CT, SD, MI, HI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Education
Brown University
Bachelor of Science (Honors), magna cum laude
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Scholarships & Fellowships:
- Davis UWC Scholarship
- Brown Scholarship
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Master of Science
Chemistry
Scholarships & Fellowships:
- Croucher Fellowship
- Merck Fellowship
- George Buchi Fellowship
- Henry Sinclair Fellowship
Strategy Library
A curated collection of materials illustrating how the frameworks outlined in My Story and Services are applied in practice.
Concentrated Stock
Securities Based Lending
1031 Exchange
Opportunity Zone
Private Shares Liquidity
Pre-IPO/M&A
Gold
Alternatives
Co-Investments
Options
Structured Investments
529 Plans
Location
55 South Lake Ave
Ste 700
Pasadena, CA 91101
US
Direct:
(626) 405-9330(626) 405-9330
The Power of Partnerships
By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships
Peter Barash
Private Banker
About Dwight Guinto
Dwight Guinto is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Dwight began his career in financial services in 1996, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Business Banking Area Manager at the Wells Fargo. He also served as a Senior Business Relationship Manager and Business Development Officer at Wells Fargo.
Dwight is a graduate of the California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, where he received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Education. He lives in Monrovia, California with his family. Outside of the office, Dwight enjoys spending time with his family in outdoor activities and competing in triathlons.
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Dwight began his career in financial services in 1996, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Business Banking Area Manager at the Wells Fargo. He also served as a Senior Business Relationship Manager and Business Development Officer at Wells Fargo.
Dwight is a graduate of the California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, where he received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Education. He lives in Monrovia, California with his family. Outside of the office, Dwight enjoys spending time with his family in outdoor activities and competing in triathlons.
NMLS#: 1211641
About Peter Barash
Peter Barash is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs,
leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Peter began his career in financial services in 1984, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2010 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Private Banking Specialist at U.S. Bank.
Peter is a graduate of Columbia University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Comparative Literature. He holds an MBA from the University of Southern California. He lives in Glendale, California with his family. Outside of the office, Peter enjoys, hiking, playing bass guitar and reading.
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs,
leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Peter began his career in financial services in 1984, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2010 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Private Banking Specialist at U.S. Bank.
Peter is a graduate of Columbia University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Comparative Literature. He holds an MBA from the University of Southern California. He lives in Glendale, California with his family. Outside of the office, Peter enjoys, hiking, playing bass guitar and reading.
NMLS#: 799189
Private Banking Group (PBG) Market Managers, Senior Private Bankers, Private Bankers, and Associate Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
Wealth Management
From My Desk
Want to Keep More of Your Investment Returns? Consider These Tax Moves
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Aaron Liu today.
1Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
2Physical precious metals are non-regulated products. Precious metals are speculative investments, which may experience short-term and long-term price volatility. The value of precious metals investments may fluctuate and may appreciate or decline, depending on market conditions. If sold in a declining market, the price you receive may be less than your original investment. Unlike bonds and stocks, precious metals do not make interest or dividend payments. Therefore, precious metals may not be appropriate for investors who require current income. Precious metals are commodities that should be safely stored, which may impose additional costs on the investor. The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) provides certain protection for customers’ cash and securities in the event of a brokerage firm’s bankruptcy, other financial difficulties, or if customers’ assets are missing. SIPC protection does not apply to precious metals or other commodities.
3Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.
4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
5Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
2Physical precious metals are non-regulated products. Precious metals are speculative investments, which may experience short-term and long-term price volatility. The value of precious metals investments may fluctuate and may appreciate or decline, depending on market conditions. If sold in a declining market, the price you receive may be less than your original investment. Unlike bonds and stocks, precious metals do not make interest or dividend payments. Therefore, precious metals may not be appropriate for investors who require current income. Precious metals are commodities that should be safely stored, which may impose additional costs on the investor. The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) provides certain protection for customers’ cash and securities in the event of a brokerage firm’s bankruptcy, other financial difficulties, or if customers’ assets are missing. SIPC protection does not apply to precious metals or other commodities.
3Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.
4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
5Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025), 4763067 (9/2025)
