
Michael Curts

My Mission Statement
My Story and Services
As a native of Indiana, I developed a great appreciation of Midwestern values and hard work. In 2006, I moved to California and started my career in the financial services industry as a Client Service Associate at Smith Barney. Shortly thereafter, my passion for becoming a financial advisor began in September 2008 – amongst the collapse of markets and financial security created by the Great Recession.
Throughout this period of extreme market volatility I learned to appreciate the value of proactive investment solutions based on sound diversification strategies and quickly adjusting to market trends. Guided by the values I learned growing up and with a diligent focus on protecting my clients' hard earned wealth, I carefully advised each client through the difficult financial and emotional roller coaster they personally experienced.
Today I specialize in developing and implementing diversified investment strategies for hard-working corporate executives and clients focused on retirement planning via my FIMC Model.
Financial Plan Development
Implementing Your Financial Plan
Monitoring Your Plan
Collaborative Client Education
As well as being a financial advisor, I also hold Financial Planning Specialist and Senior Portfolio Manager designations from Morgan Stanley. Whether a client is looking for advice on 10b5-1 trading plans, executive compensation, stock plan options, investment style allocation, or selection and evaluation of investment opportunities I always begin with a focused dialogue to learn what each individual client values.
Member of The Daniels Group who ranked #63 in 2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams
Source: Barron's (Awarded May 2024). Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Jan 2023-Dec 2023. https://mgstn.ly/3WD0yje
NMLS#: 1297786
CA Insurance License #: 0I22504
My Practice
As a Senior Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley I recognize that every client deserves timely and personalized advice on their investment strategy and portfolio(s). This is why I structure my practice to develop an open dialogue. The goal of this dialogue is to proactively highlight opportunities for growth of financial positions as well as offer a professional forum for clients to revisit investment strategies and portfolio management as their career or investments evolve over time.
Through this open forum of dialogue, my clients and I share details on their specific needs, financial goals, discuss the impact of chosen solutions and potential outcomes. My aim is to establish a habit of exchanging perspectives as well as knowledge and to be the first person that my clients contact for all of their financial planning endeavors.
Whether a client is seeking to revise their current asset allocation, determine the appropriate asset location and/or tax efficient strategy, or to simply reevaluate financial positions due to career growth, I work to match each client's desired outcome to a timely and personalized investment strategy.
My Background
Originally hailing from Indiana, I am an alumnus of Ball State University, with a bachelor's degree in operations business management. I currently live in Redwood City with my wife Caroline, son Henry, daughter Maya, and son Frank. I enjoy traveling, playing with the kids, and backpacking with friends.
As I am passionate about financial markets and staying on top of market research, I regularly share my thoughts on financial planning, 10b5-1 trading plans and portfolio management topics via my Website, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles. If you share my passion or want to learn how these topics are impacted by diversification, asset allocation, asset location and more - check-in regularly with my website and click the links below to connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter.
MY CLIENTS
My clients often hold unique financial positions and require personalized investment solutions. I foster an open and detailed dialogue which evolves overtime. Whether a client is searching for guidance on diversifying restricted stock, stock options, ESPP, deferred compensation or the proper allocation and retirement plan – the first step is an open dialog.
I implement a personal financial advisory FICM model and develop a deep collaborative relationship with each client. The FICM model consists of four core concepts:
Develop a Financial Plan
I develop diversified investment strategies for stock positions obtained through equity compensation as well as create retirement and financial planning strategies that help maximize profits and/or minimize risk.
Implement Your Financial Plan
After a thorough dialogue and analysis, I generate an asset allocation, estate and wealth planning framework that is unique to each clients' financial goals.
Collaborative Client Education
First - I connect with clients through scheduled briefings and portfolio reporting – highlighting market activity as well as any changes made in response to markets trends and/or cycles.
Second - as family is at the heart of estate planning, I advocate a dialogue between clients and their family to ensure that their financial plan serves as a foundation for all of their generation's investment needs and experience.
Monitor Your Plan
As a Senior Portfolio Manager, in addition to proactively monitoring your financial plan, I participate in weekly Morgan Stanley Peer Forums discussing markets, best practices, and actionable ideas that can help our clients diversify and/or employ active asset management.
Have a Plan
Location
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Financial Wellness
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
2When 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.
3Morgan 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.
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.
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.
6Alternative 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.
7Investors 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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Awards Disclosures