My Story and Services

As leader of The Sean Yu Group, Sean Yu, CFP®, CPWA®, CAP®, ensures that his team delivers an outstanding overall wealth management experience to its ultra-high net worth clients originally from the Greater China Region, which encompasses mainland China, Hong Kong & Taiwan. Our clientele ranges from those born in the USA and those that have been living in the US for a long time to recently immigrated and non-resident aliens, all of whom we are able to successfully service with our multi-cultural team.

Sean was named to Forbes America’s Top Wealth Advisors for 2016 to 2024 and #10 of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in Los Angeles in 2024. He was ranked by On Wall Street in its Top 40 Financial Advisors Under 40 for four consecutive years— #7 in 2014, #6 in 2015, #4 in 2016, and #3 in 2017. Also, from 2016 through 2023, he was listed among Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisors in California.

Sean received his Master of Arts in international relations from the University of Chicago in 2002, and he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona in 2023. He holds Series 3, 7, 31, and 66 licenses from FINRA, Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) certifications.

Sean leads in numerous philanthropic and social leadership activities. In 2012, he established the Sean Yu International Relations Fellowship at the University of Chicago to help underprivileged students at the university and has committed a total of $1.75 million to University of Chicago. In 2020, Sean established the Sean Yu Travel Fund at the University of Chicago for students and faculty to conduct research and study in Taiwan and China. In 2014, he created the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund to alleviate college tuitions of underprivileged students of Taiwanese descent. He has committed $1 million personally and raised over $4 million in pledges to support around 100+ students. In 2015, he was awarded the Philanthropy Leadership Award by the Asian Pacific Community Fund for helping them create their donor-advised fund program and raise over $10 million in donations. In the same year, he co-founded the Los Angeles Chapter of The Chinese Finance Association with over 150 active members from various areas of the financial services industry.

For his professional achievements and community contributions, Sean was awarded the Asian Business Award from Los Angeles Business Journal for the public company category in 2014. He was also listed among Los Angeles Business Journal’s 40 In Their 40's in Accounting & Financial Services Professionals in 2020. He currently serves on the Advisory Council of the Division of the Social Sciences at the University of Chicago. Additionally, he currently sits on the Investment Committee of the board of directors at Cal Poly Pomona University Philanthropic Foundation, having formerly chaired the Investment Committee for 3 years, and chaired the Audit Committee for a year.

In his spare time, Sean enjoys playing tennis and basketball. He has been to more than 100 Michelin starred restaurants, and his favorite restaurants include Providence in Los Angeles, Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas, Raw in Taipei, Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, Xin Rong Ji (新榮記) in Beijing, and Kikunoi Honten in Kyoto.

Sean is fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Taiwanese.
Securities Agent: CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, TX, UT, VA, WA, CT, AZ, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1398728
CA Insurance License #: 0E12405
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About PWM

Founded in 1977, Private Wealth Management is the division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that is dedicated to serving the firm’s most affluent clients, including some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, executives and stewards of multigenerational wealth. Functioning as an exclusive investment boutique within a global financial firm, we deliver sophisticated solutions that leverage the intellectual capital and insight of Morgan Stanley’s substantial global resources. Drawing on a deep understanding of your financial life, our goal is to help you:
  • Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
  • Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
  • Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control
Private Wealth Management Highlights
  • Approximately 300 teams1 specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
  • Over $775 billion in AUM1
  • Comprising 25% of the Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisors list for 2023
  • Direct access to ultra high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra high net worth families
1 Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, December, 2023

Source: Barron's.com (April 2023) 2023 Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors awarded in 2023. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Barron's during the period from Dec 2020 - Dec 2021. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to Barron's to obtain or use the ranking. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron's and this ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with Barron's. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved.

Approach

Discovery Process
Investing the time to learn about you and your family; your assets and liabilities and the risk exposures, enables us to formulate strategies and customize the relationship to your needs.
Formulation of Tax, Trust and Estate Strategy
Working with your tax and legal advisors, we help analyze your income and estate tax circumstances to identify and tailor planning techniques that may be used to address your objectives.
Creation of Customized Strategic Asset Allocation
Your customized asset allocation reflects risk, opportunities and taxation across multiple entities, while integrating your investing and estate plans.
Integration of Tactical Asset Allocation
Short-term adjustments seek to capitalize on temporary market distortions. Before making adjustments, we analyze the impact of taxes and trading costs on potential returns.
Implementation of a Customized Wealth Strategy
After comprehensive due diligence and analysis of expected results across multiple market scenarios, strategies are chosen from our expansive investment platform.
Ongoing Assessment
In coordination with your other advisors, we can conduct ongoing reviews and comprehensive reporting to ensure that your strategy adapts to changing financial and family needs.

AWARDS

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    Forbes Magazine "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors"
    • Ranked #10 in 2024
    • Ranked #8 in 2023
    • Ranked #8 in 2021
    • Ranked #13 in 2020
    • Ranked #14 in 2019

    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period 6/30/21-6/30/22.
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    Forbes Magazine "Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams"
    • Ranked #26 in 2024

    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded January 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period 3/31/22-3/31/23.
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    Forbes Magazine "America's Top Wealth Advisors"
    • Ranked #119 in 2024
    • Ranked #120 in 2023
    • Ranked #120 in 2020
    • Ranked #158 in 2019
    • Ranked #156 in 2018
    • Ranked #209 in 2017
    • Ranked #187 in 2016

    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period 6/30/21-6/30/22.
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    Barron's "Top 1,200 Financial Advisors"
    • Ranked #58 in California in 2024
    • Ranked #50 in California in 2023
    • Ranked #42 in California in 2021
    • Ranked #64 in California in 2020
    • Ranked #80 in California in 2019
    • Ranked #91 in California in 2018
    • Ranked #93 in California in 2017
    • Ranked #98 in California in 2016
    • Ranked #89 in California in 2015

    2014-2024 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State) Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2014-2024.) Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
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    Wall Street Magazine "Top 40 Advisors Under 40"
    • Ranked #3 in 2017
    • Ranked #4 in 2016
    • Ranked #6 in 2015
    • Ranked #7 in 2014
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    Financial Times "Top 400 Financial Advisors"
    • Recognized in 2020
    • Recognized in 2019
    • Recognized in 2018
    • Recognized in 2014

Location

55 South Lake Ave
Ste 700
Pasadena, CA 91101
US
Direct:
(626) 405-9393(626) 405-9393
Fax:
(626) 405-9339(626) 405-9339
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Private Wealth Management Podcast

Bringing you engaging stories and key insights surrounding the complexities associated with significant wealth, including:
  • Intergenerational Planning
  • Philanthropic Giving
  • Non-Traditional Assets
  • Managing Family Wealth
LISTEN | Passion Assets: Investing in Art
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LISTEN | Passion Assets: Investing in Art

When a passion for collecting evolves into something of considerable value, new issues are raised. Hear what the professionals have to say about the best practices and pitfalls of collecting art and collectibles.

Insights and Outcomes

Thought Leadership for our ultra high net worth clients, which contains thought-provoking articles, authored by leading experts from Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr.'s Playbook on Leadership and Values
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Larry Fitzgerald Jr.'s Playbook on Leadership and Values

The renowned NFL wide receiver shares insights on aligning your investments with your values.

Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers

Understanding the unique financial challenges of athletes and entertainers and how they differ from one profession to the next, we deliver the experience and resources you need to help create and implement a comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plan based on your needs, values and aspirations.
  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
  • Private Banking Solutions
  • Family Governance & Wealth Education
  • Lifestyle Advisory
You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career
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You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career

Assembling a team of trusted professionals to manage your career—and your money—is essential to help best position you to thrive. Here’s how.

Managing Significant Wealth

  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
  • Cash Management & Lending
  • Family Governance & Wealth Education
  • Lifestyle Advisory
  • Business Services
Funding Climate Action: Pathways for Philanthropy
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Funding Climate Action: Pathways for Philanthropy

Share a new report in collaboration with the Aspen Institute. The report aims to help climate-oriented philanthropists explore critical issues and align their wealth management strategies with their environmental impact ambitions.
We look forward to discussing your needs and goals, and the exceptional resources we can place at your disposal.
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.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.

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

The securities/instruments, investments and investment strategies discussed on this website may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or investment strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. The views and opinions expressed on this website may not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). This website and its associated content are intended for U.S. residents only.

Morgan Stanley and its Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Visitors to this website 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.

Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.

See the Financial Advisors Biographies for Registration and Licensing information.

Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame logo)® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management Analyst® .

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.

Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.

Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.

Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.

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

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6295606 (3/2024)