My Story

Steve joined Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in November 2023 as a Financial Advisor and member of The Curtis Group based in Palo Alto, California.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Steve enjoys connecting personally with each of his clients to get to know them and their families. He provides customized financial solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families, non-profits, small and medium size businesses, and executives of private and public companies.

Previously Steve was a Wealth Manager with First Republic Investment Management based on the Peninsula. Prior to joining First Republic in 2015, Steve was a Principal at Constellation Wealth Advisors where he focused his efforts on business development. Preceding Constellation, he worked in the venture services arm of the Investment Banking Division at ThinkEquity Partners. In that role, he focused on marketing to the venture capital community as well as assisting in raising money for both public and private companies.

Prior to his career in financial services, Steve was an NFL quarterback for 15 years with seven teams. He continues to be involved with the San Francisco 49ers organization and their Foundation.
Steve graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Business.
In his spare time, Steve enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, and playing golf. Steve and his wife Tina have two adult children and live in Palo Alto.
Securities Agent: CA, NV, TX; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2559108
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Location

1400 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
US
Direct:
(650) 496-3987(650) 496-3987

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Thomas Chi

Thomas Chi is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Thomas began his career in financial services in 2007, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Citigold Relationship Manager at Citibank.

Thomas is a graduate of California State University at East Bay, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with concentrations in Finance and Corporate Management. He lives in Redwood Shores, California. Outside of the office, Thomas enjoys mentoring, golfing, playing pickleball, traveling and engaging in board games with his family.
NMLS#: 418934
Private Banking Group (PBG) Market Managers, Senior Private Bankers, Private Bankers, and Associate Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.

Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.

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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

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Financial Advisors can conduct their business in several ways: individually, as a member of a team of Financial Advisors, or through the formation of a Strategic Partnership with another Financial Advisor or team of Financial Advisors. A Strategic Partnership is an arrangement between a Financial Advisor or a team of Financial Advisors with another Financial Advisor or team of Financial Advisors that has a unique focus or knowledge regarding a specific business concentration, product area, and/or client type. If your account is with an individual Financial Advisor, that Financial Advisor services all facets of your account. If your account is with a Financial Advisor who is a member of a team, any Financial Advisor on the team can service your account. If your Financial Advisor is part of a Strategic Partnership, his or her role in that Strategic Partnership may be limited to a specific business and/or product area and may not cover all facets of your account. The use of the terms “Partner” or “Strategic Partner” and/or “Partnership” or “Strategic Partnership” are used as terms of art and not used to imply or connote any legal relationship.

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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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

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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Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty

When it comes to investing, even the most savvy of us fall prey to bias and emotional trades. So what triggers should you watch for?

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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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

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 Steve Bono today.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

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Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025), 4763067 (9/2025)