Our Story and Services

Our mission, as The JG Group at Morgan Stanley, is to be your financial advocate. We want to help you identify your goals and customize a strategy to help put them within your reach. The JG Group combines the vast resources and capabilities of a global financial leader with the close personal attention of a team dedicated to the specialized needs of individuals, families and institutional clients.

Together, we can help manage your organization’s investment portfolio, or review your investment policy statement, and on an individual basis, we can help you plan for a comfortable retirement, or leave behind a meaningful legacy to your loved ones.

Our goal is to help make your wealth work for you through all types of market conditions, working to further your mission over the long-term.
Awards
  • Richard Jacoby named to 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
  • Ryan Gildersleeve named to 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
  • Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors & Best-In-State Wealth Advisors Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/21 - 6/30/22.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Creating Your Plan

To be truly effective, your plan must reflect the totality of your personal and financial life. Our role is to help ensure that your investment objectives are consistent with pressuring financial concerns and your long-term aspirations.

These four steps were developed to achieve that goal:
1. Setting your financial objectives
Through a process of discovery and discussion, we will work with you to articulate your aims for your wealth. Together, we will examine your current and future liabilities, income sources and cash flow needs, and then consider factors that might influence your overall strategy, including tolerance for risk, tax concerns, liquidity needs and time horizon. Through careful analysis, the team will look for potential gaps that may exist between your goals, and develop sound strategies to help smooth the path.
2. Creating your strategy
Working from our understanding of you and your objectives, we will propose a financial plan that contains specific strategies designed to help meet those goals. Our advice may encompass issues such as retirement planning, business continuation, tax minimization potential and wealth transfer. You will also receive an asset allocation strategy designed to provide diversification for your portfolio.
3. Implementing your strategy
After discussing and refining your strategy, we will work closely with you to bring the elements to life. Planning is a vital part of our process. Using tools to actively monitor your plans progress, making sure you are on track to meet your financial goals and objectives. If you prefer to invest in individual securities, we can help identify specific stocks, bonds and other securities that may be suitable for your portfolio. Whatever approach we decide on, the team will help you keep your strategy on track
4. Reviewing objectives and performance
We view ongoing communication as the foundation of our successful collaboration with you. We will make every effort to stay aware of your changing financial needs and provide viable strategies to help you meet them. This means reviewing your portfolio together at your request when your circumstances change, we will work with you to revise your strategy and reposition your assets to reflect your new needs and goals.

Modern Wealth Management Tools

Our industry is perpetually evolving. We strive to stay ahead of the curve. Below are some of the resources we utilize every day to offer you the best possible level of service.
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    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO)
    Morgan Stanley Online provides a simple and easy way for clients to monitor and manage their account with us because it allows you to easily view your account balance, activity, and holdings. It is also the home base to many of the following features.
    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO)
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    Morgan Stanley Mobile App
    The Morgan Stanley Mobile App gives you the capabilities of Morgan Stanley Online at the convenience of your phone. The app provides features that allow you to simplify your everyday finances, such as mobile check deposit and send money with Zelle.
    Learn More
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    E-Delivery
    The digital vault allows you to digitally store and conveniently access your critical documents for your account. These files are stored using encryption and can be easily shared with our team with just a few clicks.
    Digital Vault Video
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    eSign
    E-sign is a digital, paperless alternative to the traditional means of obtaining signatures for necessary paperwork.
    eSign Video
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    eDelivery
    Through both Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App, E-delivery allows you to securely save, print, review, and send documents at any time.
    Learn More
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    eAuth
    With E-Authorization, you can electronically authorize transactions through Morgan Stanley Online.
    Learn More

Timely Resources for You

We want to provide you with the most recent, timely, and important information so you can feel informed and educated during these difficult times. We will be periodically updating these links in order to keep the most important information top of mind.
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    4.60% Annual Percentage Yield for Preferred Savings
    The annual percentage yield on the most recent Morgan Stanley Preferred Savings Program is now 4.60%, over 11x the national average. Learn more about how your cash can work for you using the link below.
    Learn More
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    What Should I Do with My Money?
    Listen to our newest podcasts where Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors answer real questions, from real people, about the most important aspects of client lives. We aim to give insight to the most common questions among our clients.
    Listen Here
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    Six Popular Travel Trends to Watch
    Explore our 1-minute investment insights videos, in this on-going series, from our firm’s leading thinkers. Discover current investment trends and topics like green bonds, active investment, monetizing small businesses, cybercrime and more.
    Learn More
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    Social Security Cola Increase
    As of January 2023, Social Security Payments will go up by 8.7%. This is a result of the Social Security Administration adjusting benefit payments annual for inflation since 1975. To view the SSA fact sheet, see below.
    Fact Sheet
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    2023 M&A Outlook: 4 Trends to Watch
    After a muted second half of 2022 for M&A, activity should pick up in 2023 as financial sponsors deploy capital, activist investors press for corporate change and buyers and sellers agree on valuations and pricing.
    Learn More
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    How Investors Can Prep for More Volatility
    Rising risks of “stagflation” and questions around U.S. debt could lead to renewed market turbulence. What to do now.
    Learn More
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    Your Guide to Life & Money
    We hope this Playbook inspires honest conversations about money and the role money plays in your life. This playbook breaks up important financial topics into chapters, any of which you can review.
    Playbook

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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    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.
    Click Here to Learn More
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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
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    Aladdin - Portfolio Risk Tool
    The Portfolio Risk Platform integrates the leading risk analytics engine into Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s platform to improve the quality, transparency, and efficiency of the end to end risk management processes for the Firm and our Clients.
    Click Here to Learn More

Location

4 Landmark Square 2nd
Floor
Stamford, CT 06901
US
Direct:
(203) 356-0878(203) 356-0878

Meet JG Group

About Richard Jacoby

With over 30 years of experience in wealth management, R.J. currently manages relationships for individuals, families, endowments and small and midsized business in the tri-state area, as well as nationwide.

R.J. started his career as a Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch in Stamford, CT in 1992. Prior to joining the Morgan Stanley office in Greenwich, he spent 10 years at the UBS Financial private client office in Stamford, CT. In June 2002, R.J. completed Pace University’s rigorous Financial Planning Program at the Lubin School of Business. He is also a Senior Portfolio Manager within the Portfolio Management Group at Morgan Stanley. The Portfolio Management Group at Morgan Stanley is a group of Financial Advisors qualified to independently manage client assets based on training, experience and commitment to client service.

R.J. lives in Cos Cob, CT with his wife, Caryn. They have 3 adult children - Jackson, Sloan, and Maggie. He and his wife, Caryn, acted as committee chair for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation from 2009 to 2013. R.J. and Caryn are actively engaged with several community organizations and charities and have sat on the annual fund committee at Greenwich Country Day School. R.J. holds a BA from St. Lawrence University.
Securities Agent: AL, DE, OK, OH, NH, ME, MO, AK, WA, MD, IN, CO, TN, RI, GA, DC, OR, MI, CT, CA, VT, TX, PA, IL, VA, SC, NJ, NC, MA, NY, FL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 175982

About Ryan Gildersleeve

A seasoned Family Wealth Advisor with 26 years of wealth management experience, Ryan has dedicated his entire career to providing highly customized advice and strategies to individuals, families and business owners. He guides them through a personalized approach that includes a thorough planning process and a commitment to outstanding service. To Ryan, the cornerstone of comprehensive wealth management begins with a solid financial plan focused on helping achieve each client’s unique goals.

Always driven to understand how to manage his personal finances in the most effective way possible, Ryan attended Vanderbilt University, receiving his B.A. degree in 1995. Soon after graduation, Ryan joined Merrill Lynch as an Associate, where he earned his Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses and began working directly with clients as a Financial Advisor. In 2003, Ryan joined Smith Barney, a predecessor firm of Morgan Stanley, and has been a vital member of the firm’s Stamford branch ever since.

Throughout his career, Ryan has remained committed to professional development. In 2001, he earned the distinguished CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation from the College for Financial Planning and in 2004, he was named a Financial Planning Specialist at Morgan Stanley. More recently in 2016, Ryan achieved the firm’s Family Wealth Advisor certification. All of these designations demonstrate Ryan’s dedication to remaining on the forefront of the most effective financial strategies and deliver a powerful client experience.

A Connecticut native, Ryan currently lives in Old Greenwich with his wife, Karen, and their two children, Tyler and Lyla Grace. An avid music lover, Ryan enjoys performing his music with friends on stage at local clubs and restaurants. Favorite leisure activities include golf, watching college football and spending time with family and friends.
Securities Agent: NJ, AL, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MO, NC, NH, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 175896

About Lester Dean

Lester Dean began his career in financial services in 2015 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2019. He has been uniquely associated with the markets far longer. Growing up on a farm in northeast Kansas, he spent many hours preparing soybean and other agricultural products for market. Though he didn’t fully understand at that young age what caused the price of corn to fluctuate or how much soy bean would need to be planted to meet demand, a nascent love for economics was instilled in which he then turned to this passion into a career in finance.

His approach to the business is goals based. By working closely with his clients, he helps them formulate financial goals that will serve as the foundation of a comprehensive financial plan. Utilizing industry leading technology and the vast resources at Morgan Stanley, both himself and the client construct a road map of where they are now and where they want to go financially, implementing advisable solutions along the way to financial success.

With prospective clients, Lester looks to develop a lasting partnership that is based on accountability and follow through. He asks the right questions and listens intently to connect with them so that they feel comfortable and safe in their decision to include him as a shareholder of their financial lives.

Lester attended the University of Connecticut where he received a degree of Economics. His lifelong commitment to learning did not stop there as he has since earned the following certifications/designations: Series 7, 66, 65, Life & Health Insurance, Financial Planning Specialist, and CFA Level 1.

Outside of work, Lester is a student of economic history and enjoys reading, chess and playing soccer.
Securities Agent: HI, NC, MO, CO, CT, VT, DC, TN, SC, GA, OK, IL, IN, NH, NJ, MN, MI, MD, MA, FL, DE, CA, AL, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX, VA, AK, WA, OR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2319332
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
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 JG Group 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.

1Alternative 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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2Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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3When 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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4Morgan 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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5Morgan 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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6Morgan 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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7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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9When 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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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10Morgan 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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11When 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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12Morgan 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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13Morgan 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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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)