My Story and Services

Bonnie Cheng is a Senior Vice President, Senior Wealth Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM with The Cheng Group at Morgan Stanley in San Mateo, Calif. In a career that has spanned more than two decades she has firmly established a solid reputation for reliability, professionalism and unwavering integrity.

Bonnie is deeply devoted to providing excellent service to her clients. “I sincerely care about making life easier for them,” she says. “I do this by consistently delivering -- and striving to exceed their expectations. I want them to feel they have a trusted advisor working hard for them every day.”

Bonnie’s caring spirit comes through in her very first meeting with an investor. She conducts a comprehensive interview in which she takes the time to understand fully all the details of the person’s financial life. She is an excellent listener and keenly adept at identifying what really matters to investors.

Following the initial meeting, Bonnie meticulously analyzes the client’s situation before making her carefully considered recommendations in a language that clients can easily understand. From there, she keeps clients well-informed through regular communications. Bonnie believes a well-informed client is a comfortable one, regardless of market and economic conditions.

Bonnie’s greatest satisfaction comes when she helps clients achieve their financial goals and they in turn entrust more of their wealth to her. Having helped countless clients through the years, she has received numerous referrals and now manages money for children of long-time clients.

Born in China, Bonnie has clients in both the U.S. and in Asia. She serves primarily high-net-worth clients, multinational corporations and business owners. She completed her undergraduate work in China and has an MBA from San Francisco State University. Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2022, she worked more than seven years at Citi as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and Senior Wealth Advisor.

Bonnie is married to her husband, Benny Huang, and they have one child, Claire. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and biking with her daughter.
Services Include
Securities Agent: CT, WV, WA, CA, TX, OH, MD, UT, NY, MN, MA, FL, AZ, KS, NV; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1814494
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Who We Serve

We want to be by your side throughout all of your financial milestones, ranging from retirement planning to leaving a nest-egg for your family. We at the Cheng Group have the capabilities to help you with whatever life may throw your way.

Our practice is built upon the development and creation of strong relationships with all of our clients and their families. Thus, allowing us to deliver a vast assortment of wealth management services.

We work with a broad range of clients who value and respect the advice that we carefully cultivate for them in their search for financial wellness. Some of their goals include:

- Simplifying their financial picture
- Planning for an enjoyable retirement
- Managing risk and protecting assets against all types of markets
- Minimizing investment related taxes through the use of the Morgan Stanley tax division
- Addressing long-term health care needs
- Educating the next-generation on how to manage finances and prepare for the future
- Allowing for philanthropic opportunities

The advice and solutions that we provide to you will be carefully planned. We take the time to understand your needs and desires, and through this, create a strong relationship of understanding and problem-solving. We are confident that we can help you through every part of your financial life.

We want to be the CFOs of your family's wealth.
Our Clients Include
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Business Owners
  • Employees with Concentrated Stock Positions
  • Pre-retirees and Retirees
  • Multi-Generational Families
  • International Clients

International Wealth Management

Part of a global financial legacy that dates back over 150 years, Morgan Stanley is one of the few truly global institutions with the scale, scope, and commitment to serve the international investor. We serve among the world’s most capitalized institutions and stand as one of the largest wealth management firms in the world.

Morgan Stanley International Wealth Management (IWM) harnesses the extensive capabilities of the firm to serve investors located outside the United States. Functioning as a specialized group within Morgan Stanley, IWM is staffed by specially trained International Client Advisors and managers who understand your wealth management needs. Our International Client Advisors are familiar with the investment challenges and opportunities that are unique to your part of the world and can recommend highly customized strategies to help you address your specific goals.

Key Life Events

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    Birth
    Welcoming a child into the family is a joyous occasion for everyone. As your trusted advisor, I will help you plan and prepare for the financial components that a new child might introduce to your lives.
    Learn More About Giving to Children
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    Education
    Education is a major investment that often requires years of careful, advanced planning. As educational costs continue to rise - from primary education through undergraduate, graduate and professional schools - we will work together to implement the appropriate funding strategies for your needs.
    529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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    Marriage
    There are few events more exciting than tying the knot with the person you love. Managing your wealth is a critical component to maintaining a long, fruitful marriage. Also, helping fund your child's wedding is a goal for many parents and grandparents.
    Learn More About Talking Money
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    Planning for Your Future
    At Morgan Stanley, we believe that identifying financial solutions begins with a solid understanding of each client's situation, goals, objectives and risk tolerance. We follow a disciplined process that allows us to work with you to craft a solution that helps meet your individual needs.
    Goals Based Planning
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    Retirement
    Some people look forward to retirement as their time to relax and enjoy the fruits of their decades-long career. Others worry about their ability to support their lifestyle given certain life challenges. Saving for retirement is a lifelong process that relies on defined financial planning strategies.
    Learn More About Retirement Planning
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    Wealth Transfer
    Dealing with eventual transfer of wealth is intense and challenging. Aside from coping with the loss of a loved one, legal matters also require immediate attention, including the administration of the estate. Even though it is a difficult conversation to have, we will help you determine your estate planning goals to minimize conflict and confusion for your loved ones when legacy is passed on.
    Learn More About Estate Planning

Awards, Recognition, and Designations

Thanks to the unwavering commitment to helping clients and families achieve their goals, Bonnie Cheng has been awarded and granted the following designations and awards.
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    CFP®
    Individuals certified by the CFP® Board have taken the extra steps to demonstrate commitment and professionalism by voluntarily submitted to the rigorous CFP® certification process that includes demanding education, examination, experience, and ethical requirements. These four cornerstones set the foundation for the CFP® professional's ability in helping clients achieve their goals.
    Why CFP?
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    CPWA®
    The Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification is designed for experienced advisors who work with high-net-worth clients. It focuses on the full cycle of wealth—accumulation, preservation, and distribution. Earning the CPWA® designation gives you the skills to identify and analyze challenges facing high-net-worth (HNW) clients and develop specific strategies to help minimize taxes, monetize and protect assets, maximize growth, and transfer wealth.
    Learn More
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    International Client Advisor
    Working in international wealth management requires Financial Advisors with a keen sense of global awareness. The Cheng Group comes from a diverse set of backgrounds, with clients residing in both the United States and in China. We are fully equipped to help both domestic and international clients with their wealth management needs.

    Bonnie is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese.
    International Wealth Management

Location

411 Borel Ave
Suite 220
San Mateo, CA 94402
US
Direct:
(650) 358-1820(650) 358-1820

Meet My Team

About Bonnie Cheng

Bonnie Cheng is a Senior Vice President, Senior Wealth Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM with The Cheng Group at Morgan Stanley in San Mateo, Calif. In a career that has spanned more than two decades she has firmly established a solid reputation for reliability, professionalism and unwavering integrity.

Bonnie is deeply devoted to providing excellent service to her clients. “I sincerely care about making life easier for them,” she says. “I do this by consistently delivering -- and striving to exceed their expectations. I want them to feel they have a trusted advisor working hard for them every day.”

Bonnie’s caring spirit comes through in her very first meeting with an investor. She conducts a comprehensive interview in which she takes the time to understand fully all the details of the person’s financial life. She is an excellent listener and keenly adept at identifying what really matters to investors.

Following the initial meeting, Bonnie meticulously analyzes the client’s situation before making her carefully considered recommendations in a language that clients can easily understand. From there, she keeps clients well-informed through regular communications. Bonnie believes a well-informed client is a confident one, regardless of market and economic conditions.

Bonnie’s greatest satisfaction comes when she helps clients achieve their financial goals and they in turn entrust more of their wealth to her. Having helped countless clients through the years, she has received numerous referrals and now manages money for children of long-time clients.

Born in China, Bonnie has clients in both the U.S. and in Asia. She serves primarily high-net-worth clients, multinational corporations and business owners. She completed her undergraduate work in China and has an MBA from San Francisco State University. Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2022, she worked more than seven years at Citi as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and Senior Wealth Advisor.

Bonnie is married to her husband, Benny Huang, and they have one child, Claire. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and biking with her daughter.

About Justine Cramer

Justine Cramer has over two decades of experience in the financial services industry most recently as a Wealth Relationship Associated at Citigroup. Prior to Citi, Justine was a Premier Relationship Manager at HSBC managing the total wealth of HSBC international and domestic premier clients. She holds a BA in English Literature from Soochow University in Taiwan. In her free time she enjoys watching movies, listening to music and travelling with her daughter.
Securities Agent: AZ, FL, CT, NV, NY, WA, OH, MN, TX, MD, UT, KS, WV, MA, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
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
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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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 Bonnie Cheng 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.

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2Structured 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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3Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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4Morgan 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.

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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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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.

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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)