Welcome

Meredith Farris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) and First Vice President at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management based in Bozeman, Montana. She has over 15 years of experience as a Financial Advisor, with an emphasis on complex wealth management strategies for affluent individuals and families.

Meredith moved from the Seattle area to Eastern Washington (then eventually Montana) with her husband, a retired Boeing engineer. She is known for her commitment to community involvement and building deep, personal connections with her clients.
Background, Education, & Credentials
  • Encore Career: Meredith describes her work as a Financial Advisor as her "encore career," which she began after a successful tenure in Information Technology.
  • Current Role: She serves as a Financial Advisor and Branch Manager, having been recruited to Morgan Stanley about eight years ago.
  • Focus: Meredith's practice focuses on a consultative approach to retirement planning, risk management, estate planning strategies, and tax management strategies.
  • Education: Meredith started her business degree at the University of Washington and finished it at Washington State University. She also attended graduate school at Washington State University.
  • Certifications: Meredith holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) and Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC®) designations.
Services Include
Securities Agent: CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, AL, DC, WY, VT, VI, OK, NH, ME, LA, KY, KS, HI, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1700892
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Clients

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My clients are busy people who value professional financial advice as they manage families, businesses, and careers full of meaning, complexity, and abundance.  They appreciate the dedicated service and personal access I provide to the vast resources of Morgan Stanley and its wealth management arm.  They know that by working with us, they will achieve their most important financial and life goals. 

A frequent comment we hear is that our clients feel valued, respected and safe because they know we are out working for them every day.  No matter how you attained your wealth, my commitment to you is unwavering as we work toward achieving your financial goals.



As a CFP®, I consider that I owe my clients my best work and I take my fiduciary responsibilities to them very seriously.  In this, my second and best career, I have found the calling that brings me joy and a feeling of great purpose in life.  I work with a world-class team, for a world-class company, and I work for wonderful people who know that I will always act in their best interests.

My Process

I run my practice the way I used to manage software development teams for many years.  The starting point of any work done is a complete focus on the needs, priorities and goals of you and your family.  I am in a strategic partnership with several other financial advisors in Morgan Stanley and together we bring several decades of cumulative experience in wealth creation and wealth management to our work. 

We also represent a diverse set of backgrounds and life experiences we draw on as we guide you through the many life transitions and the associated complexities.  We have a strong problem-solving focus and we use the intellectual capital of Morgan Stanley and its world-class technology and processes as we come up with customized financial plans and solutions for you through all of life's stages.
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    Step 1: Discovery Process
    Investing the time to learn about you and your family, your assets and liabilities, as well as the risk exposures, enables us to formulate strategies and customize the relationship to help meet your needs.
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    Step 2: Analyze
    Working with your tax and legal advisors, I help analyze your income and estate tax circumstances to identify and tailor planning techniques that may be used to address your objectives.
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    Step 3: Planning & Strategy
    Your customized asset allocation reflects risk, opportunities, and taxation across multiple entities, while integrating your investing and estate plans.
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    Step 4: Implementation
    After comprehensive due diligence and analysis of expected results across multiple market scenarios, strategies are chosen from our expansive investment platform.
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    Step 5: Ongoing Monitoring
    In coordination with your other advisors, I can conduct ongoing reviews and comprehensive reporting to help ensure that your strategy adapts to changing financial and family needs.
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    Disclosures:
    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. 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.

    Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.

OUR SUITE OF DIGITAL TOOLS...

Our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. Below are a few of the technologies we have to offer our clients. I have also included resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research into concise and easily digestible content.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Beyond viewing your account balance and activity, Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a suite of features that allows you to manage your everyday finances from paying bills and sending money, to transferring funds and authorizing transactions with one click using eAuthorizations.
    MSO
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    Total Wealth View
    You and your Financial Advisor can now make more informed decisions with respect to your Morgan Stanley accounts by identifying opportunities and risks across your full financial picture. Add your external 401(k), checking/savings, brokerage accounts and more to Morgan Stanley Online to see all your finances in one place.
    Aggregate Your Wealth
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    Digital Vault
    The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
    Digital Vault Client Guide
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    LifeView
    Morgan Stanley’s LifeView® Financial Planning tool provides your Financial Advisor with more robust financial planning capabilities, while giving you an easier and more intuitive user experience.
    LifeView Portal Client Flyer
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    eDelivery
    eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other Firm documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) may enroll in eDelivery.
    eDelivery
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    eSign via Docusign
    To use eSign, all you need is a valid email address and phone number. The personal identification number (PIN) can be delivered via phone call or via text message. Here are the steps to complete the signing process.
    Cybersecurity Brochure
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    eAuthorizations
    eAuthorizations allows you to approve transactions electronically and securely on Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
    eAuthorizations Client Guide
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    MFA Verification
    Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) allows you to add additional verification —beyond your username and password — to confirm your identity and protect access to your accounts. MFA helps safeguard your accounts in the event that your username and password are compromised.
    MFA Verification Client Guide

Outlooks & Updates

I strive to simplify complex financial ideas so that my clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future. 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.
Global Investment Committee Weekly Research Report
The Global Investment Committee's Weekly Report provides an in depth look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income on a weekly basis.
GIC Weekly
Global Investment Committee on the Markets Monthly Report
A monthly publication that summarizes the Global Investment Committee’s market outlook and contains thought-provoking essays that examine the forces shaping the investment landscape. Check out the latest edition below:
GIC on the Markets
Thoughts on the Markets
Each week, Mike Wilson, Chief U.S. Equity Strategist & Chief Investment Officer, offers his perspective on the forces shaping the markets and how to separate the signal from the noise. Listen to his most recent episode and check out those of his colleagues from across Morgan Stanley Research.
Listen to the Latest Episode Here
What Should I Do with My Money?
On this podcast, we match real people, asking real questions about their money, with experienced Financial Advisors. You’ll hear answers to important questions like: Is now the right time to buy a house? How should I be saving to cover the cost of college? How much do I really need to retire and am I on track?
Listen to the Latest Episode Here

Client Service Team

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    Kyler Barney - Client Service Associate
    Phone:
    (406) 522-2053(406) 522-2053
    Email:Kyler.Barney@morganstanley.com
    Kyler grew up not far from Bozeman, in the small town of Ennis, Montana. A quiet place in the winters, but a popular and growing tourist and vacation spot in the summers. Kyler attended Montana State University and is a proud Bobcat. After some time in the Computer Science field, he decided to join the Aviation program. Kyler graduated with a degree in Aviation where he acquired his Private Pilot, Instrument, and Multi-Commercial airplane ratings. Some of Kyler’s pastimes include skiing, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. Kyler recently married his wife, Autumn, who he met in college, and they are proud dog parents to their two dachshunds, Beasley and Gidget.

    Kyler has an immense passion for learning and helping others. He is excited to leverage his ability to handle complex tasks efficiently and effectively, which has earned him a reputation as a reliable and dependable team player. Kyler’s attention to detail and dedication to his team and clients has helped him build successful and long-lasting relationships. He consistently goes above and beyond, always anticipating the needs of his clients, and provides the highest level of service.

Location

2200 West Main St
Bozeman, MT 59718
US
Direct:
(406) 522-2050(406) 522-2050

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Ian McCormick

Ian McCormick is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Oregon.

Private Bankers partner with 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.

Ian began his career in financial services in 2011, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2015 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Director of Business Development at Fort West. He also served as a Production Manager-Loan Officer at Churchill Mortgage.

Ian is a graduate of Oregon State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his family. Outside of the office, Ian enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing and rafting.
NMLS#: 845310
Private Banking Group (PBG) Market Managers, Senior Private Bankers, Private Bankers, and Associate Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.

Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.

Morgan 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

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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

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
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty

When it comes to investing, even the most savvy of us fall prey to bias and emotional trades. So what triggers should you watch for?

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
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Meredith Farris today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
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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2Investing in the market entails the risk of market volatility. The value of all types of investments may increase or decrease over varying time periods. The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of sustainable or impact investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because sustainability and impact criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

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3Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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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5When 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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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, 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 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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9Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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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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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)