My Story and Services

Michael O'Brien, an Executive Director and Financial Advisor, dedicates himself to earning client trust and confidence through attentive listening. He places paramount importance on understanding his clients' desires and necessities, forming the cornerstone of his advisory philosophy. With client associations that stretch across decades, his lengthy tenure exceeding 30 years in finance reflects his unwavering commitment. Michael's enthusiasm for empowering individuals on their journey to financial independence is evident. He skillfully intertwines extensive wealth management expertise with a focus on nurturing client relationships, steering his clients towards their unique financial aspirations.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Michael began his career as an intern for PaineWebber & Co. in 1993. After attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, he was asked to join the Prudential team as a full-time member and financial advisor. Michael moved to Seattle in 1995 to be closer to family, where he joined Piper Jaffray & Co. as an investment executive assisting clients in retirement planning and investing. Michael was named to RBC Wealth Management’s Chairman’s Council. He currently holds the Series 7, 63, and 66 licenses, as well as being insurance licensed in multiple states.

Michael married his soulmate, Kate, in 1998. They have three children and live on charming Bainbridge Island. Michael and Kate donate a tremendous amount of time and resources to their community. Michael was previously a board member of the Boys & Girls Club as well as the Epilepsy Foundation Northwest. Kate currently sits on the board at Island School. Michael has coached all of his children’s various youth sports teams. He and Kate are dedicated to helping kids to become strong, independent adults both within and outside of their community. He enjoys a healthy lifestyle by playing basketball regularly and lifting weights. Michael enjoys golf and is a member of the Wing Point Golf & Country Club.
Services Include
Securities Agent: PA, AK, OH, FL, MN, CT, CO, NY, TX, RI, ME, AZ, UT, MO, MD, IN, DE, SD, CA, WY, WI, WA, OR, MI, NM, KS, ID, SC, OK, MA, IA, NV, NJ, TN, HI, GA, MT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 2110490
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

WORKING WITH YOU:

As your dedicated wealth management team, our role is to tailor a personalized financial strategy which fits your needs. In our experience working with clients, we have developed a step-by-step approach to service:

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    Discovery Process

    We take the time to fully understand you and your family. Whether you're planning for retirement, purchasing a home, or living out your golden years – we consider all of your challenges, goals, and aspirations when building your financial picture.

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    Forming Your Strategy

    Using your life goals as our compass, we create a risk-balanced strategy which maps a clear path to achieving your success.

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    Implementing Your Plan

    We apply extensive research and analysis, and also utilize Morgan Stanley's full suite of resources, to ensure swift decisive action in all market scenarios.

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    Measuring Your Success

    We check in with you to deliver metrics around your portfolio, and ultimately measure trajectory towards your goals. Our ultimate mission is your success and well-being.

CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

As your wealth grows, so does its complexities and the resources needed to manage it effectively. We leverage our experience and relationships to deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to your needs. We look forward to speaking with you to understand your challenges, so we may map out a strategy to help achieve your particular priorities and goals.

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    Wealth Management

    Wealth management brings all the dimensions of your life together. We listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career, and your legacy goals to develop an integrated strategy that is uniquely yours.

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    Retirement Planning

    The decisions you make about your workplace retirement plan can benefit you for years to come. I'll help you understand and put your resources to work, so you can plan, invest, and ultimately transition to retirement with confidence.

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    Financial Planning

    The cornerstone of an effective wealth management plan is comprehensive financial planning, which captures your goals, resources and expectations for the future. Effective planning can potentially lead to successful education and retirement income funding. It helps eliminate blind spots, and helps ensure legacy goals are met.

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    Estate Planning Strategies

    Working with your professional advisors, we can advise and assist with ensuring your savings is passed on to your desired heirs and charities.

RESOURCES

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. We have also included resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research.

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    Morgan Stanley Online

    Beyond viewing your account balance and activity, Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a suite of features that allow you to manage your everyday finances from paying bills and sending money to transferring funds and authorizing transactions with eAuthorizations.

    Click Here to Learn More
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    Our Asset Aggregation Tool

    View all your external financial accounts directly in Morgan Stanley Online or the mobile app. By linking your accounts, you'll benefit from more informed wealth planning, secure data access and convenient connectivity.

    Click Here to Learn More
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    eDelivery

    eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.

    Click Here to Learn More
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    Digital Vault

    Digital Vault allows for easy sharing and convenient access to your most important documents from wills and deeds to financial statements and tax fillings. Easily manage your encrypted financial records all in one place.

Location

400 Winslow Way E
Suite 200
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
US
Direct:
(360) 613-1976(360) 613-1976
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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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 Michael O'Brien today.
1Morgan 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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2Morgan 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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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 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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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.

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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:
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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)