About me and Services

David is a 32-year veteran of the state of Alabama’s financial industry. After starting his career directly out of Auburn University’s School of Business, David began his career with an 11-year run at AmSouth Bank and AmSouth Investment Services. In 1999, David transitioned his business to Merrill Lynch, where he was a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Director for 14 years. David’s wealth management team found their permanent home at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in 2013.

David’s focus is on risk tolerance and the financial planning process, which helps steer client asset allocation and portfolio management decisions. He earned the Senior Portfolio Management Director designation at Morgan Stanley to continue to increase his investment knowledge. He works closely with government entities, pensions, trusts and foundations, businesses, families, and individuals to help strike a balance between evaluating today’s needs and creating a strategy to achieve their vision of long-term success. David enjoys evaluating and managing investment portfolios and holds himself accountable to be an effective communicator helping clients filter the noise of endless market commentary to focus on what is important to achieve their goals.

After David wrapped up his love for coaching little league football, baseball, and basketball in the Vestavia community, he continues his attempt at golf while playing at Willow Point Golf and Country Club in between boat rides on Lake Martin. When David is in his Morgan Stanley Auburn office, he stays loyal to his Auburn Athletics commitment and is a member of Saugahatchee County Club. He is also a member of Old Overton Golf Club in Liberty Park.
Services Include
Securities Agent: MS, AL, VA, TX, NC, DC, OH, MO, GA, PA, LA, NY, DE, AR, KY, IL, SC, WA, MD, TN, IN, FL, CA, AZ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 509914
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

By your side for all of life's milestones

Our practice is built on the development of deep and enduring relationships and the delivery of comprehensive wealth management services. 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 advanced 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


The solutions we recommend are carefully coordinated to help provide you with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to succeed in today's fast-paced world. We are here to help you make informed decisions on any financial issue you face.
Our satisfied clients include, but are not limited to:
  • Business Owners (including family businesses)
  • Corporate executives
  • High net worth young investors
  • Mid-career professionals and their families
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Seniors near or in retirement

Personalized Solutions

From buying a home to rolling over your 401(k) to leaving a lasting legacy, we are here to answer your financial questions and implement the best strategies for your specific goals and circumstances. Here are just some of the questions we help our clients answer every day.
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    Financial Planning
    Life is constantly changing. How do I prepare for a more secure future knowing that certain events – like a divorce or a death in the family – can dramatically impact my plans?
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    Professional Portfolio Management
    I have so many things I want to do with my life. How can one investment strategy balance them all?
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    Asset Organization
    I have assets spread across multiple organizations and platforms. How do I get organized and simplify my financial life?
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    Retirement Planning
    Have I saved enough for retirement so I can maintain my current lifestyle without worrying I’ll run out of money? What is the best way to re-invest my 401(k) when I get ready to leave my company and retire?
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    Managing Risk
    Life’s risks can reveal themselves in many ways – from loss of life to loss of health. How do I protect myself and my family from life’s unknowns?
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    Charitable Giving
    Are my charitable donations having the impact I want them to have?

Modern Wealth Management Tools and Resources

Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital resources has carefully been designed to help enhance each aspect of your financial portfolio. Take some time to learn about some of the many Modern Wealth Management resources that we offer to our clients.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley mobile app. Access your finances and invest in an instant with the help of this resource.
    Learn more about Morgan Stanley Online
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    Total Wealth View
    Complete your financial profile with Total Wealth View. By linking your external accounts information you will benefit from more educated and holistic wealth planning, and convenient connectivity.
    Learn more about Total Wealth View
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    Portfolio Risk Program
    Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by BlackRock's Aladdin risk engine, a state-of-the-art, innovative risk engine used by several of the world’s largest institutional asset managers, providing you with comprehensive risk analytics and a sophisticated view of the risk/return dichotomy across your financial portfolios. This helpful tool can assist you in making educated investment decisions with increased confidence.
    Learn more about the Portfolio Risk Platform
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    MS Reserved
    Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards clients with over one million dollars in assets and liabilities invested at the firm. The program is designed to enhance your lifestyle and relationship with the firm beyond traditional wealth management services.
    Learn more about MS Reserved

Market Outlooks

I am a firm believer of giving my clients as many resources as possible so they can stay informed about the latest market trends, outlooks, and breakdowns. The links below provide detailed analysis on interesting topics that are affecting the finance and business worlds.
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    The GIC Weekly
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
    Read here
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    On the Markets
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
    Listen Here

Location

3500 Colonnade Parkway
Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35243
US
Direct:
(205) 969-7075(205) 969-7075
3120 Frederick Rd
Suite G
Opelika, AL 36801
US
Direct:
(205) 969-7075(205) 969-7075

Meet My Team

About Wendy Magnuson

Wendy began her career in 1997 with an independent Financial Planner in Portland, Oregon. There she found a passion for working with clients to achieve their financial and personal goals through comprehensive financial planning and investment portfolio modeling.

Wendy received her business degree with an emphasis on finance from Portland State University. She served as Treasurer and Vice President of the Financial Management Association, a university organization to promote Finance and Accounting disciplines.

In 2008 she joined Key Investment Services, a subsidiary of Key Bank, where she obtained her Series 24 license to assist the Regional Manager with compliance audits and Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction reporting.

Wendy joined Morgan Stanley in 2014 after moving back home to her Alabama roots. She has served as a client service associate, service associate and led various projects for the complex management team. Wendy serves as a Complex Service Coach for support staff and recently joined to partner with David Searcy.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Ready to start a conversation? Contact David Searcy today.
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. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.

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6Morgan 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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7Morgan 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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8Morgan 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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9Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.

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10Morgan 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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11Morgan 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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12Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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13Investors 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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14Investors 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:
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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.

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Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)