

Karbon Koch Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
Simple, Thorough, Thoughtful.
Our Story and Services
Our Group is built upon a rich tradition, starting with Steve Karbon who founded the team in 1990. As a esteemed professional in his field, Steve insisted on building a well-rounded service orientated team that would be more like a dedicated friend or family member, rather than just a stockbroker. Steve believed in people coming first, which continues to be the framework of our team today.
Over the years Nick Karbon, Brad Koch, and Melissa Korman have believed in the foundation Steve had established, and together have become a leading team at Morgan Stanley. They pride themselves on always finding a way to assist clients with their most complicated financial situations and simply being there, when they were needed most.
In 2012 Suzen O'Brien and Jenny Nelson joined the team. This took quality and service to a whole new level. We considered Suzen (a financial advisor for over 30 years) and Jenny a powerhouse group in their own right. By integrating our two teams, it forced us to re-evaluate our infrastructure and reconstruct several key areas. As a result, we believe we are now more robust and efficient than ever before.
Steve and Suzen have both retired, nevertheless their legacies live on and act as our core foundation. Today, we believe our refined four person team is at a level many in the industry strive to emulate.
Recently, we have been honored by Forbes for our advisory service in back to back years.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team: 2023, 2024, & 2025
www.forbes.com/lists/wealth-management-teams-best-in-state
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to issuance of the award.
Awards Disclosures: www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure
- Retirement PlanningFootnote1
- Business PlanningFootnote2
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote3
- Financial PlanningFootnote4
- Trust AccountsFootnote5
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote6
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote7
- Wealth ManagementFootnote8
- 401(k) Rollovers
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote9
Investing
Our investment objective is to provide clients with solid performance, while focusing on long-term preservation.
We have a disciplined three-step approach:
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First, we set a risk/reward baseline using four different investment styles. To aid with this we've developed four hypothetical thematic portfolios to help gauge your risk tolerance: Conservative, All-Weather, Growth, and Sizzle. Conservative is designed to be a defensive portfolio, All- Weather is designed to be moderate, Growth is designed to be moderately aggressive, and Sizzle is designed to be aggressive. Each portfolio seeks to take incrementally more risk, with Conservative taking the least and Sizzle the most. We have found that using thematic names like these allows for quick reference, and facilitates more productive risk/reward conversations.
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Second, we widen or narrow our investing guide rails within each portfolio based on the current economic cycle. For this, we have broken the economic cycle into three phases: 1- Normal, 2- One year prior to recession, and 3- Recession. In other words, we proportionately adjust the risk/reward characteristics within each of the four portfolios based on the cycle we are in. More risk in phase 1, less risk in phase 2, and the least in phase three.
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Third, we follow four indicators to help us decide when to shift gears within each phase of the economic cycle. They are: 1- Dow Theory, 2- Yield Curve, 3- Unemployment, and 4- a Macro Indicator. Collectively these will help guide the moves we make, so adjustments are made in a timely and prudent fashion.
Perhaps most importantly we are continuously observing what's going on in the world. This helps give us perspective on all the moving pieces. We then share our perspective in a brief one page monthly overview called Macro View. This piece is written using basic, conversational style language and is designed to proactively share our thoughts on popular headlines and world events. You can find a copy below in the "From Our Team" section, or you can send us an email to be added to our monthly distribution list.
All combined our investment style is simple, thorough, and thoughtful.
Planning
When you combine red, green, and blue light in equal parts - you end up with white light.
We believe this is a great visual representation of the three key areas in financial planning: 1- Family, 2- Career (or Retirement), and 3- Lifestyle. Typically, it's not until you look at all of them simultaneously, that your financial picture becomes clear. Attempting to accomplish this without the help of an impartial third party can be challenging. This is why some households, with multiple decisions makers, have a hard time seeing eye to eye. It's easy to overlook something or unintentionally apply more weight to one area over another.
Together we can help make sure your financial picture is clear and everyone involved is on the same page.
Financial Planning can help you:
- Prepare for retirement
- Transition your business
- With estate planning strategies
- Adjust your standard of living
- Be intentional with inheritance
- Support parents/children/grandchildren
- Decide on major purchase(s)
- Plan for life events
…the list is endless.
Our planning approach is simple, thorough, and thoughtful.
Areas of Focus
Over the years we have dealt with many unique financial situations. That said, we have become proficient in helping with "One-time Life Events" . By this we mean, any situation where a single financial event can have a meaningful impact on life moving forward.
Sometimes these are unexpected life events. Other times, they are events that have been expected for years, but have been difficult to deal with. In either case, it is helpful to have someone in your corner who understands the nuances, and knows what to expect, and can help you every step of the way.
Many times, you are only given one chance to get it right.
For example:
- Selling a business or establishing a succession plan
- Unwinding or selling various real estate assets
- Estate Planning Strategies
- Creating a cash flow plan for a financial windfall
- Managing settlements from an accident or injury by working directly with you and your attorney
- A buyout or unplanned career change
- Etc.
Location
Meet Karbon Koch Group
About Nicholas Karbon
NMLS#: 1262172
CA Insurance License #: 0100237
About Bradley Koch
NMLS#: 1742533
About Jenny Nelson
*Disclaimer: This role cannot solicit or provide investment advice
About Melissa Korman
*Disclaimer: This role cannot solicit or provide investment advice

Contact Nicholas Karbon

Contact Bradley Koch
The Power of Partnerships
About Taylor Streiff
Associate Private Bankers partner with Private Bankers and Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Taylor began his career in financial services in 2020 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2024 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Commercial Lender at Pan American Bank and Trust in Chicago, Illinois.
Taylor is a graduate of the University of Minnesota - Duluth, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his family. Outside of the office, Taylor enjoys all things outdoors. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family.
MACRO VIEW - FEBRUARY 28, 2025
Portfolio Insights
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.
2Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
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.
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.
6Morgan 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.
7Morgan 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.
8Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
9Morgan 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
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
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Awards Disclosures