Comprehensive Wealth Management

We understand how to help you get to the heart of what matters most. As a team of seasoned professionals, the Catalyst Group focuses its extensive industry knowledge and experience solely on your success. In fact, our concierge service model centers on creating financial solutions together with our clients, in order to provide you with the best possible experience and results.

Our team accesses a broad and diverse range of institutional money managers and thought leaders at Morgan Stanley on a daily basis. This informs our guidance and enables us to incorporate a sophisticated framework into our disciplined process. The result? Fresh, strategic ideas that challenge conventional solutions. Utilizing our collective experiences and depth of knowledge, our forward-thinking approach sets us apart.

In short, we believe investment consulting means much more than giving advice. It requires understanding, trust and a commitment to providing quality recommendations. It means deeply listening, and developing a thorough and detailed picture of your values and investment philosophy. Above all, it means serving as your team of advisors in designing a custom-tailored strategy that empowers you to make informed, confident decisions about your wealth.

At the Catalyst Group, we have the knowledge and experience, coupled with the resources and scale of Morgan Stanley. Let us be the catalyst toward your financial success.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Our Clients

Over the past 20 years, we have developed a deep and active practice, working with a broad array of ultra-high net worth individuals and families in the Boston area and around the country.

• Multi-generational private wealth families
• Hedge fund principals
• Corporate executives in emerging and established industries
• Executives in the entertainment, sports and arts communities
• Self-made individuals and business owners
• Institutional money managers

While each client has a unique personal and professional situation, they all have one thing in common: They have very specific financial goals, so they can focus on the areas of their lives that bring them joy, meaning and purpose.

A Structured Planning Process

At The Catalyst Group, we are committed to helping families understand the new challenges they face and how to meet those challenges successfully.
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    Step 1: Introductory Meeting
    Our relationship begins with an initial discussion aimed towards getting to know you, your lifestyle, and your future goals.
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    Step 2: Discovery Meeting
    During the discovery meeting, we will work together to establish your financial goals by reviewing your current financial situation and developing a suitable risk tolerance that will ultimately help you achieve the financial outcome you envision for yourself.
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    Step 3: Financial Plan Presentation
    Financial plan presentations map out essential factors that play into your financial success such as your employee and employer contributions, liquidity events, and insurance coverage. Examining all relevant financial information provides a holistic asset allocation analysis for all of your accounts ensuring a comprehensive financial plan.
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    Step 4: Action Items / Next Steps
    After the financial plan presentation, we will follow up with you regarding our analysis and recommendations, which may include adjustments to your financial plan, investment allocation, company benefits and insurance coverage.
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    Step 5: Implementation Meeting
    The implementation meeting focuses on creating prospective strategies custom designed for your specific needs. Recommended changes could include logistics, tax impact, asset allocation adjustments, and saving and benefit modifications.
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    Step 6: Monitoring & Performance Tracking
    Finally, we will be constantly monitoring your assets and analyzing your performance tracking data to ensure your financial expectations are being met and adjusted accordingly. We will keep a high degree of communication with you to make sure your concerns and requests are always addressed.

    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 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 visit us at http://www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.

Client Resources

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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online has a suite of features that allow you to manage your everyday finances from paying bills and sending money to transferring funds and authorizing transactions with eAuthorization.
    View Account
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    Total Wealth View
    View all your external financial accounts directly in Morgan Stanley Online or the mobile app. By linking your accounts, you’ll benefit from more informed wealth planning, secure data access and convenient connectivity.
    Access Total Wealth View
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    Digital Vault
    Digital Vault allows for easy sharing and convenient access to your most important documents such as wills, financial statements and tax fillings. Easily manage your encrypted financial records all in one place
    Vault Access
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    eDelivery
    eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.
    Access Tool
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    Mobile Check Deposit
    With the mobile app, you can use mobile check deposit to quickly deposit checks drawn on a U.S. bank anytime, anywhere from your device with some of the highest deposit limits in the industry.
    Learn More
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    Online Transfers with eAuthorizations
    Electronically authorize domestic and international one-time or recurring transactions through Morgan Stanley Online and the mobile app.
    Learn More

Location

28 State Street
Fl
Boston, MA 02109
US
Direct:
(617) 570-9291(617) 570-9291
Toll-Free:
(800) 235-1205(800) 235-1205

Meet The Catalyst Group

About David Atallah

David A. Atallah
Senior Vice President

David A. Atallah is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor and co-founder of The Catalyst Group at Morgan Stanley. Over the past 26 years, he has built a thriving Wealth Management practice in the Greater Boston Area. He has earned a reputation for providing unbiased and highly customized Investment Management advice / strategies to ultra-high net worth individuals and families.

After graduating from the University of Maine with a B.A. degree in Zoology, David pursued a career in the Pharmaceutical Industry. He later applied his knowledge of Healthcare to a Wealth Management Advisor Practice at Bear Stearns & Co., where he met and established a career long business partnership with colleague, Michael Cassa. David was promoted to Managing Director at Bear Stearns & Co. The team later joined the Private Banking division at Credit Suisse in 2008.

Eight years later, David joined the Morgan Stanley family as a Senior Vice President in the Wealth Management Division. As a co-founder of The Catalyst Group, David serves the complex Wealth Management and Financial Planning needs of successful Ultra-High Net Worth Families and Individuals. He takes pride in his ability to leverage the strong relationships he has forged with institutional money managers and industry thought leaders to bring fresh Investment insights and perspectives to his clients. Particular areas of interest include Family Wealth Management, Financial Planning and Philanthropy.

Originally from Waterville, Maine, David now lives in Yarmouth, Maine, with his wife Alexandra and their four children. A firm believer in giving back, David has been on the Board of the National Braille Press for the past five years and is currently a member of the Investment Committees. He is a former Board member and a head coach in the Wellesley Youth Football Program and served on the Board for religious education at St. John’s Parish in Wellesley, Massachusetts. In his free time, David enjoys both salt and fresh water fishing, skiing, and travelling with this family.
Securities Agent: WI, FL, TX, NC, VA, NH, ND, DE, AZ, RI, OR, SD, PA, NY, MA, IL, UT, NE, MD, VT, ME, GA, CO, AL, WY, WA, CT, CA, MN, DC, SC, NV, NJ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1558035

About Michael Cassa

Michael A. Cassa
Senior Vice President

Michael A. Cassa is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor and founder of The Catalyst Group at Morgan Stanley. With more than 26 years of industry experience, Michael provides insightful advice and sophisticated strategies for a select group of affluent investors living in the Greater Boston Area and across the country.

Since a fateful Career Day visit from a top Wall Street executive to Michael’s fifth grade classroom in Huntington, NY, Michael has harbored a genuine interest and passion for business and financial markets. After graduating from Bentley University with a B.S. degree in Finance, he began his career at Bear Stearns in 1993. Afterwards, Michael became a cofounding member of the Catalyst group at Morgan Stanley. Life has come full circle for Michael, now speaking at his own children’s school and encouraging young minds to learn more about stocks and the market.

Over the course of his career, Michael has cultivated strong relationships with institutional money managers and industry thought leaders. He has experienced the challenges of working in both bear and bull markets, gleaning invaluable skills and insights from these experiences. With The Catalyst Group, Michael utilizes this extensive industry knowledge and background, and focuses it entirely on assisting his clients in the custom creation and management of their personal investment portfolios.

Michael’s passion for helping clients achieve their goals is equaled only by his dedication to his family and his community. He and his wife, Christine, currently reside in Wellesley with their three daughters, Kate, Jennifer and Sophia. Michael is a former Board Member of the Wellesley Little League and currently serves on the Service Commission Board at St. Johns Church. Outside of working directly with his clients and guiding various organizations, Michael enjoys sailing, lacrosse, and spending quality time with family.
Securities Agent: SD, AZ, TX, FL, WI, VT, SC, NV, NC, HI, MA, GA, CT, CO, OR, VA, NE, MN, IL, CA, AL, WY, PA, NY, MD, OH, NJ, UT, RI, ND, ME, NH, DE, WA, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1563186

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

About Christian Catricala

Christian Catricala is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

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.

Christian began his career in financial services in 2015, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2016 as a Rotational Analyst supporting a variety of divisions in Wealth Management. Prior to being promoted to his current role, he was an Associate Private Banker supporting Wealth Management offices in Boston, Massachusetts.

Christian is a graduate of the Merrimack College, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Marketing. He lives in Melrose, Massachusetts with his wife. Outside of the office, Christian enjoys cooking, biking, and traveling.
NMLS#: 1773684

About Alfie Thomas

Alfie Thomas is a Planning Associate at Morgan Stanley providing dedicated financial planning support to Financial Advisors and their teams. Operating as an extension of the FA/Team, he collaborates with clients to discover and define goals that matter most to them. Leveraging state of the art technology, he will evaluate various options and their potential outcomes to help clients confidently choose the appropriate course of action. Alfie provides expertise across a wide suite of Morgan Stanley planning tools designed to assist in the areas of investment accumulation, retirement, education, major purchase, cash flow, risk management, tax efficiency, and wealth transfer planning.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Clark University and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Alfie is originally from New York, NY and currently resides in New York, NY.
Wealth Management
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Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Catalyst Group today.
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1Morgan 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.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Alternative 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.

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3Morgan 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.

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4Morgan 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

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5Morgan 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.

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6Morgan 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.

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7Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
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 and other legal matters.

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9Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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10Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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11Morgan 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.

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12Structured 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.

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13Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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14Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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15An investment in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) involves risks similar to those of investing in a broadly based portfolio of equity securities traded on exchange in the relevant securities market, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The investment return and principal value of ETF investments will fluctuate, so that an investor’s ETF shares, if or when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the ETF. To obtain a prospectus, contact your Financial Advisor or visit the ETF company’s website. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

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16Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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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 Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)