Michael L Brunner, CFP®
Executive Director,
Financial Advisor,
Portfolio Management Director
Direct:
(713) 658-2786(713) 658-2786
Toll-Free:
(800) 890-2774(800) 890-2774
My Mission Statement
Comprehensive wealth planning strategies for your life and legacy
Welcome
Michael Brunner has over 25 years of professional experience as a Financial Advisor, all with the same firm. He brings great stability and continuity of process to each of his clients throughout the United States. As a former Marine Corps officer and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Mr. Brunner provides a high level of leadership and comprehensive planning to each of his clientele. Throughout his career, Michael has worked with successful individuals and their families to develop comprehensive financial and investment planning strategies that seek to optimize the unique goals of each of his clients.
One area of deep understanding that Michael provides is in regards to the unique challenges business owners of privately held companies face every day. These challenges come from how to successfully grow their respective companies and the most appropriate way to accumulate sufficient personal wealth for life after business. Michael helps address issues such as financial and retirement planning, estate planning strategies, lending, education funding, and asset preservation and protection strategies. Another area of experience that Michael focuses on is related to the selling of an owner’s business. As this typically is the most important financial transaction in the life of a business owner, Michael and a successful team of professionals both inside and outside of Morgan Stanley work to maximize the probability of a successful sale for the owners and their families. Additionally, once a successful business exit takes place, Michael creates, implements, and monitors comprehensive wealth management strategies that seek to provide the financial resources for the owners and their loved ones throughout the next chapter of their lives.
One area of deep understanding that Michael provides is in regards to the unique challenges business owners of privately held companies face every day. These challenges come from how to successfully grow their respective companies and the most appropriate way to accumulate sufficient personal wealth for life after business. Michael helps address issues such as financial and retirement planning, estate planning strategies, lending, education funding, and asset preservation and protection strategies. Another area of experience that Michael focuses on is related to the selling of an owner’s business. As this typically is the most important financial transaction in the life of a business owner, Michael and a successful team of professionals both inside and outside of Morgan Stanley work to maximize the probability of a successful sale for the owners and their families. Additionally, once a successful business exit takes place, Michael creates, implements, and monitors comprehensive wealth management strategies that seek to provide the financial resources for the owners and their loved ones throughout the next chapter of their lives.
Securities Agent: VT, TN, OK, NJ, HI, CA, AL, SC, AR, MT, PR, NH, AZ, UT, NY, MN, MI, MA, LA, IN, IL, DC, NM, ID, GA, FL, CT, CO, TX, SD, NV, ME, KY, KS, DE, OH, MD, IA, RI, PA, NC, MO, WY, WI, WA, VA, OR, MS; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1285355
NMLS#: 1285355
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Managing Business and Personal Wealth
The links between business ownership and personal wealth are many and complex. Whether your objective is to grow your business, realize its value through the sale to a new owner, or maintain family ownership through the next generation, we will help you examine each opportunity and develop the best strategy to implement.
Our first goal will be to develop an understanding of your personal aspirations and business priorities — specifically, how you built your wealth, where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. Only then can we effectively recommend a plan on how your personal assets can support your business growth, and how your business can help you meet your personal goals. Together, we will embark on a five-step process to help ensure an all-inclusive plan that is uniquely yours.
Our first goal will be to develop an understanding of your personal aspirations and business priorities — specifically, how you built your wealth, where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. Only then can we effectively recommend a plan on how your personal assets can support your business growth, and how your business can help you meet your personal goals. Together, we will embark on a five-step process to help ensure an all-inclusive plan that is uniquely yours.
1 Setting Your Financial Objectives
We’ll begin by thoroughly reviewing your current financial resources, objectives and other circumstances that may influence your investment strategy. We will discuss your time horizon and tolerance for risk, as well as any current and potential liabilities. Importantly, we will also examine your business’s financial characteristics and performance, its day-to-day cash flow needs and financial requirements for growth.
2 Developing Your Financial Management Strategy
From this understanding of your personal and business objectives, we will develop a comprehensive wealth management plan designed to help meet those goals. Our advice may encompass such strategies as retirement planning, business continuation and succession, debt restructuring, tax minimization opportunities and wealth transfer. You will also receive an asset allocation strategy designed to provide diversification for your portfolio.
Asset Allocation and Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
Asset Allocation and Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
3 Implementing Your Investment Strategy
Once we’ve discussed and refined your strategy, we’ll work closely with you to bring each element to life. Should we decide that outside money managers are appropriate, we will draw upon in-depth research and analysis to select among the hundreds of investment management firms available. If you prefer to invest in individual securities, we can help identify specific stocks, bonds and other securities that may be appropriate for your portfolio. Whatever approach we implement, we are committed to keeping your strategy on track.
The investments listed may not be appropriate for all investors. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment will depend upon an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
The investments listed may not be appropriate for all investors. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment will depend upon an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
4 Providing Business Strategies
Based on our analysis of your business challenges, we will consult with specialists throughout Morgan Stanley, who can structure and deliver services to help take your business to the next level.
5 Reviewing Objectives and Performance
Milestones like marriage, children and grandchildren, buying and selling a home, retirement, starting another business or selling your current one can all have an effect on your wealth. We will systematically review your plan with you so it can be adapted as changes in your life occur. We will also work with you to evaluate your investment portfolio over time, suggesting adjustments as necessary so your investment strategy continuously reflects your evolving needs and goals.
Our team has worked closely with business owners, captive administrators and group captive insurance companies for years. We work with insurance companies both domestically and abroad, with a major focus within the privately held business owner space. We begin each relationship by working to gain an in-depth understanding of the client’s liability management objectives and other goals to help our clients craft an appropriate solution.
We follow a disciplined investment process to help ensure we focus upon all aspects of the client's business -
1) Understand the client's liability profile
2) Review of the client's current asset / liability alignment
3) Investment Policy Statement Review / Creation
4) Investment Manager Review / Selection
5) Customized reporting
Combining our own experience and leveraging the strength of Morgan Stanley, we sit on the client's side of the table, making objective recommendations that best serve their investment priorities.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.
We follow a disciplined investment process to help ensure we focus upon all aspects of the client's business -
1) Understand the client's liability profile
2) Review of the client's current asset / liability alignment
3) Investment Policy Statement Review / Creation
4) Investment Manager Review / Selection
5) Customized reporting
Combining our own experience and leveraging the strength of Morgan Stanley, we sit on the client's side of the table, making objective recommendations that best serve their investment priorities.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Recognition and Designations
Leveraging decades of industry experience, our team can help you take charge of your financial future and achieve your goals. The high-level of service and dedication we work to provide all of our clients with has led us to be recognized by the below organizations.
Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experiment requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that requires them to put the clients' interest first.
Michael holds this designation.
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.
Michael holds this designation.
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.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
2021-2022 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2021-2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2021-2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Michael Brunner 2020
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2020) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/18 - 6/30/19.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2020) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/18 - 6/30/19.
Location
717 Texas Avenue
Suite 3050
Houston, TX 77002
US
Direct:
(713) 658-2786(713) 658-2786
Toll-Free:
(800) 890-2774(800) 890-2774
Fax:
(713) 658-2729(713) 658-2729
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
This is a video content
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
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
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
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
Article Image
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
Article Image
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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Michael L Brunner 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
6Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
6Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
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)
