Jason Silva, CIMA®

Years ago, I began to work with a new client as she was going through an unexpected life transition. She and her husband were getting divorced, and the decision was very sudden. To make matters more difficult, the husband had always managed the finances. So my new client was understandably nervous about having to suddenly take over a huge responsibility.

As a financial advisor, my mission is always to empower my clients. In this case, I did that in a few different ways. I introduced her to an attorney and accountant to round out her team as we navigated this complicated process. I helped her collect all her financials and distill them into one straightforward plan that’s still in use today. But maybe most importantly, I took the time to explain the “why” behind her plan’s “how.” That way, she could be empowered to ask informed questions along the way.

Takeaway
This may be a specific story, but it’s one that’s unfortunately not unique. Too often, only one spouse has had a “seat at the table” when it comes to the family’s financials. With my clients, I really value bringing both partners into the fold throughout the entire process. I want to hear both sides’ concerns, opinions, and goals. Because it’s not lost on me that I’m entrusted with peoples’ futures, and I strive to earn that trust each and every day, in everything I do.

What are bonds and why are they important?
Everyone’s heard of bonds, and most people own them. (In part because there are a lot more bonds than stocks). But very few people really understand how bonds work. Put simply: as opposed to stocks, where you’re buying a fraction of a business, when you buy a bond you’re really making a loan with an agreement to get paid back with interest along the way. That can provide investors with a predictable income stream, as they’ll typically receive interest payments, and then the entire face amount once the bond reaches maturity.

Know what you own, and know why you own it.
That’s always my first piece of advice. Because not all bonds are created equal. Knowing what bonds to buy, and how many, will really depend on your specific goals and needs, along with numerous other factors. That’s why it’s so important to understand the complexities of the bond market, and how it fits into the wider economy.

What I Provide
I’ve followed the bond market closely for my whole career. When I consider a bond, I’m looking much deeper than its “yield to maturity.” I’m weighing interest rates. I’m evaluating not just risk premiums, but also interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and default risk. I’m strategizing tax-efficient bond swaps. I’m watching and taking notes on the Federal Reserve meetings. I want to understand a bond from every angle before I consider it for my clients. Because the right bonds can help you generate income and balance risk throughout your retirement.

• I’m a fan of sitting at a client’s kitchen table. The relationship that gets built there is everything.


• I’m the guy who’s always identifying risk and looking for ways to help keep you safe from potential hazards.


• My job is not just to babysit your nest egg, but to help it grow. So that one day you can use it to leave a lasting legacy.


• “I say what I do and do what I say.” Some say it; I mean it.


• I’ve become my clients’ go-to for all things financial. That speaks to the trust at the foundation of our relationships.


• I think it’s important to give back. My wife and I actively support several local non-profits, including the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, Happy Hollow Foundation, Oakland Zoo, Valley Medical Center Foundation, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and San José State University.

Jason Silva is a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley in San Jose, California. For over 25 years, he has leveraged his extensive wealth management experience and knowledge to help a diverse set of clients achieve a wide range of long-term investment goals.

A graduate of San Jose State University, Jason first entered the financial industry with a brokerage firm focusing on municipal bonds. Though the company on his business card has changed over the years, financial advising is the only job he has ever had after college. From Olde Financial, which later became H&R Block, he eventually joined Paine Webber. Then in 2021, he joined Morgan Stanley, a partnership that provides his clients access to a wealth of research, technology, and resources from one of the most well-respected wealth management firms in the world.

With a career-long focus on the bond market, Jason’s primary goal is to help protect his clients’ wealth from whatever risks the future may hold –– not just for their retirement, but also for the security of their family and legacy. Over the years, he’s helped clients navigate the inevitable ups and downs of life. From volatile markets and changing regulatory landscapes, to difficult family moments like divorce or a sudden health emergency.

He believes that EVERY client deserves to feel empowered in their financial journey; and for married couples, he puts that conviction into practice by making sure both spouses have an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. At the end of the day, he strives to be a go-to resource whenever his clients need trusted financial guidance –– for their everyday obstacles, and their most important long-term goals.

Outside the office, Jason lives in San Jose, CA with his wife and their dog and cats. Deeply committed to their community, they actively support several local non-profits, including the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, Happy Hollow Foundation, Oakland Zoo, Valley Medical Center Foundation, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and San José State University.