My Story and Services

Ben earned his BBA in Economics from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi and began his career working as an intern for a broker-dealer. There he discovered his passions for financial advising and helping others reach their goals. Today, he’s a Certified Retirement Counselor® and has been in the industry since 2015.

Ben takes pride in offering clients outstanding, personalized service with the focus, care, and attention required to develop effective wealth management strategies that help you meet your goals. Ever the driven advisor, Ben is committed to lifelong learning and is always working to expand his knowledge and credentials to better serve his clients.

Ben has experience working with a wide range of clients in various industries, including healthcare, oil & energy, and business. Ben’s client portfolio includes surgeons, doctors, physician assistants, plant workers, engineers, entrepreneurs, business owners, CEOs, executives, managers, individuals interested in managing and improving their financial futures, and many others.

Originally from El Paso, TX, Ben has lived in Corpus Christi since 2012. A proud Gulf Coast Humane Society board member, Ben believes in giving back to his community through servant leadership. When he’s not strategizing and helping clients, he enjoys cycling, fishing, fitness, and happily spending time with his fiancée Amanda and their two dogs Mina and Mylo.
Services Include
Securities Agent: CT, ME, KY, ID, NJ, NC, MT, MD, IL, FL, DC, TN, ND, CO, AZ, AR, CA, AL, NV, OK, NM, OR, WI, NH, MO, MI, GA, VA, TX, NY, KS, IN, WA, MA, LA, SC, MN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1873867
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Our Clients

We work with a broad range of clients who value and respect the advice we carefully cultivate for them in seeking the achievement of the following goals:

- Simplify their financial life
- Plan for an enjoyable retirement
- Manage risk and protect their family
- Minimize investment related taxes through advance strategies
- Address long-term health care needs
- Educate the next generation on how to manage wealth and carry family values forward
- Achieve important philanthropic goals
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    Business Owners
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    Physicians
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    Corporate Executives
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    Oil and Gas Professionals
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    Retirees
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    Family Offices
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    Entrepreneurs
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    Professionals

Our Capabilities

As your wealth grows, so do the complexities and the resources needed to manage it effectively. We leverage our experience and relationships to help deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to your needs. We look forward to speaking with you to understand your challenges, so we may map out a strategy to help achieve your goals.
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    Financial Planning
    Your financial plan brings all the dimensions of your life together. We listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career and your legacy goals to develop a comprehensive strategy that is uniquely yours. We listen more than we speak and like a doctor or mechanic, we cannot treat the symptom until we diagnose. Whether your personal goals involve retirement planning, business planning or tax planning, you can trust that we will be there with you throughout your journey.
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    Retirement Planning
    One of our key areas of focus is helping you prepare for and thrive in retirement. From, Qualified Retirement Plans, 401K's, IRAs to RMDs, we manage the complexities of your comprehensive retirement plan assets, helping you easily transition to the next phase of your life with clarity and confidence.
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    Estate Planning
    Delivering an estate to the next generation or favorite charity requires more attention than families often realize. We coordinate with your estate and tax professionals to align your legacy goals with the appropriate asset titling and beneficiary designation requirements, incorporating best practices to help enhance results.
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    Alternative Investments
    Morgan Stanley’s global network affords us the ability to offer appropriate clients a wide array of alternative investments to consider. Our recommendations are based on your own goals and your tolerance for investment risk.

    Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.
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    Cash Management and Lending
    Creating adequate cash flow and securing liquidity are the day-to-day aspects of implementing a financial strategy. We provide creative solutions for your personal cash management and borrowing needs, while thinking strategically about how specific approaches may affect current and long-term costs and taxes.
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    Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)
    Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a formal recognition of knowledge in the areas of financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning strategies, and retirement. Owned and awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., the designation is awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial exams, then continue ongoing annual education programs to sustain their skills and certification.
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    Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®)
    The Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) certification is an advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers who work with high-net-worth individuals, focusing on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution. Candidates who earn the certification understand how to develop specific strategies to help minimize taxes, monetize and preserve assets, maximize growth, and transfer wealth.
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    Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC)
    The Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) designation signifies a financial professional's expertise in retirement planning and their ability to help individuals and employers navigate employer-sponsored retirement plans. It's a credential offered by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). QPFCs possess in-depth knowledge of retirement plan concepts and can provide guidance on various aspects of retirement planning, including plan design, implementation, and management.

Individual Plans for Individuals Like You

Goals you set today will evolve over time. Our process is designed to evolve with them - and with the changing circumstances of your life. Holistic in its approach, our planning process will encompass all the elements of your financial and personal life, making sure they align with your current and future goals.

Leveraging a sophisticated suite of analytical tools, as well as decades of industry experience, our team can help you take charge of your financial future and achieve your goals.
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    1. Getting to Know You
    First step in building long term relationship where we uncover passions, dreams and goals.
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    2. Thinking Through Your Situation
    Analyze your current and alternate situations.
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    3. Putting Your Plan Into Action
    Deciding on a recommendation and executing in a timely manner.
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    4. Track your progress
    Meeting periodically for updates and tracking progress.
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    LifeView Intelligent Planning
    LifeView is a suite of planning tools that includes goal-specific analysis that we can use with our clients to create a realistic, holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of an individual’s financial life, including investments and cash management needs
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    Goals Planning System (GPS)
    Goals Planning System (GPS) is Morgan Stanley’s own integrated planning tool. Built on the Firm’s intellectual capital and capabilities, GPS is an intuitive and efficient platform used to quickly assess whether a client is “On Track” to achieving their financial goals.
    Click Here to Learn More
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    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley’s Spending and Budgeting tool. This tool helps advisors monitor client cash flows across both internal and external accounts. It also tracks spending patterns and produces an income and expense analysis to help clients achieve their goals by adjusting their spending behavior when necessary.
    Click Here to Learn More

Investor Resources

Our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. Below are a few of the technologies we have to offer our clients. We have also included resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research into concise and easily digestible content.
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
    Register for Morgan Stanley Online Today
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    GIC Weekly Research Report
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
    Read The Latest Report
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    Total Wealth View
    Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.
    Learn More About Total Wealth View
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    On The Markets Research Report
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
    Read The Latest Report
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    Online Security Center
    At Morgan Stanley, safeguarding your assets and personal information is among our highest priorities. Learn about our security measures and use our resources and ideas to help protect yourself online.
    Learn More About Online Security Center
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    Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast
    The Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast brings you revealing stories about the world of business, finance, technology and beyond.
    Check Out The Latest Episode

Location

303 N Oregon St, 9th
Fl
El Paso, TX 79901
US
Direct:
(361) 889-5255(361) 889-5255
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

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 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration
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2025 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration

Global growth is likely to slow in 2025 and 2026 as the shock of higher U.S. tariffs crimps demand around the world.

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
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Benjamin Lopez today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals 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 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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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.

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5Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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6When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals 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.

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7Morgan 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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8Morgan 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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9Morgan 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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10Morgan 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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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)