Michael M. Romano
Financial Advisor,
Financial Planning Specialist
Direct:
(212) 643-5732(212) 643-5732
My Mission Statement
Guiding clients through every stage of wealth, with tailored advice, disciplined planning and long-term focus.
My Story and Services
Mike is a Financial Advisor for Water Street Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley. He provides comprehensive wealth solutions to multi-generational families, founders, private equity, venture capital, and hedge fund partners, corporate executives, business owners, pre-retirees, and professionals across the country. As a Financial Planning Specialist, he takes pride in helping clients navigate their unique personal situations by devising and implementing holistic wealth plans that involve identifying goals, consistently managing risk, and conducting systematic reviews for ongoing monitoring. His keen understanding of tax efficient investing, portfolio construction, and alternative investments plays a significant role in his clients’ long-term success in their bespoke plan.
Mike’s career began at Morgan Stanley in 2015 while he was simultaneously earning his MBA in Finance from Quinnipiac University and was able to receive a coveted internship position. At the culmination of his internship, Mike entered the wealth management industry as an associate where he developed a passion for portfolio management. He later spent time in Morgan Stanley’s Private Bank, honing his skills in liabilities and cash management – valuable components of his current planning process.
Most recently he spent five years as a portfolio manager within Morgan Stanley working with some of the firm’s largest retail and institutional clients before following his passions back to wealth management, joining Water Street.
He currently resides in Huntington, NY with his wife Danielle, daughter Sophia, son Vincenzo, and their French Bulldog, Sonny. Outside of the office he is an avid sports fan, rooting on the Yankees, Giants, Knicks, and Rangers, and can often be found staying active out for a run or playing a round of golf. He’s happy to continue supporting causes that he is passionate about, like the Army Lead The Way Foundation, and is determined to contribute to the continued success of his alma mater, Chaminade High School.
Mike’s career began at Morgan Stanley in 2015 while he was simultaneously earning his MBA in Finance from Quinnipiac University and was able to receive a coveted internship position. At the culmination of his internship, Mike entered the wealth management industry as an associate where he developed a passion for portfolio management. He later spent time in Morgan Stanley’s Private Bank, honing his skills in liabilities and cash management – valuable components of his current planning process.
Most recently he spent five years as a portfolio manager within Morgan Stanley working with some of the firm’s largest retail and institutional clients before following his passions back to wealth management, joining Water Street.
He currently resides in Huntington, NY with his wife Danielle, daughter Sophia, son Vincenzo, and their French Bulldog, Sonny. Outside of the office he is an avid sports fan, rooting on the Yankees, Giants, Knicks, and Rangers, and can often be found staying active out for a run or playing a round of golf. He’s happy to continue supporting causes that he is passionate about, like the Army Lead The Way Foundation, and is determined to contribute to the continued success of his alma mater, Chaminade High School.
Securities Agent: VA, IN, TX, SD, NC, CA, NY, NM, MA, CT, AZ, AL, AK, PA, ME, UT, OR, MD, WV, TN, MN, VI, DE, WA, PR, NE, ND, MS, MO, KY, IL, ID, HI, GA, VT, SC, NV, NJ, NH, LA, KS, IA, DC, AR, WY, RI, OH, FL, CO, WI, OK, MT, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1740986
NMLS#: 1740986
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Client Service Team
Francesca Steffanelli - Registered Client Relationship Analyst
Phone:
(212) 643-5794(212) 643-5794
Email:Francesca.Stefanelli@morganstanley.com
Francesca graduated from Rutgers University magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a concentration in Global Business. Francesca first started with the Water Street Wealth Management team as an intern in June of 2023, followed by becoming a part-time employee while finishing her education, and upon graduation transitioned into a full time Client Service Associate.
Francesca’s day-to-day is very much client oriented, helping ensure that clients’ needs are met on the administrative end. Francesca is eager to learn more about the industry
Francesca is from New Jersey and enjoys spending her time down at the jersey shore with her family and friends.
Francesca’s day-to-day is very much client oriented, helping ensure that clients’ needs are met on the administrative end. Francesca is eager to learn more about the industry
Francesca is from New Jersey and enjoys spending her time down at the jersey shore with her family and friends.
Location
1 Penn Plaza 43rd
Fl
New York, NY 10119
US
Direct:
(212) 643-5732(212) 643-5732
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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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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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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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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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
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Michael M. Romano today.
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
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)
