
Steven Howard
Senior Vice President,
Financial Advisor
Direct:
(847) 291-5630(847) 291-5630

My Mission Statement
Our team combines youth with experience, advanced certifications with world-class technologies, and a relentless commitment not just to your future-but to your children and grandchildren's future, too.
My Story and Services
Steve Howard is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor, with The Modern Perspective Group at Morgan Stanley and brings over 25 years of industry experience to his clients’ financial lives.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Steve’s passion for numbers and finance led him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from The Ohio State University. Eager to enhance his expertise, he obtained a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of financial principles and regulations. In 1998, Steve joined Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor, marking the beginning of the next chapter of his professional life. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his clients’ financial well-being, offering tailer strategies and personal guidance. Steve’s in-depth knowledge of investment strategies, retirement planning, and wealth management has allowed him to navigate the complexities of the financial world with precision and insight.
Steve has consistently adapted his approach to meet the evolving needs of his clients. He takes a holistic view of their financial goals and risk tolerance to deliver customized solutions that align with their unique circumstances. He has built lasting relationships based on trust, integrity, and a genuine desire to see his clients succeed. He remains committed to providing strategic financial guidance and helping individuals and businesses achieve their long-term financial objectives. With a track record spanning a quarter-century, Steve continues to make a significant impact to his clients and their families.
Alongside his career, Steve also prioritizes his role as a husband and father to three children. He has helped coach multiple sports for his children, investing his time and energy into their growth and development. Steve maintains an active lifestyle, indulging in hobbies such as golf, tennis, bowling and biking. His passion for staying active not only contributes to his personal well-being, but also brings a balance of fulfillment to his life.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Steve’s passion for numbers and finance led him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from The Ohio State University. Eager to enhance his expertise, he obtained a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of financial principles and regulations. In 1998, Steve joined Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor, marking the beginning of the next chapter of his professional life. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his clients’ financial well-being, offering tailer strategies and personal guidance. Steve’s in-depth knowledge of investment strategies, retirement planning, and wealth management has allowed him to navigate the complexities of the financial world with precision and insight.
Steve has consistently adapted his approach to meet the evolving needs of his clients. He takes a holistic view of their financial goals and risk tolerance to deliver customized solutions that align with their unique circumstances. He has built lasting relationships based on trust, integrity, and a genuine desire to see his clients succeed. He remains committed to providing strategic financial guidance and helping individuals and businesses achieve their long-term financial objectives. With a track record spanning a quarter-century, Steve continues to make a significant impact to his clients and their families.
Alongside his career, Steve also prioritizes his role as a husband and father to three children. He has helped coach multiple sports for his children, investing his time and energy into their growth and development. Steve maintains an active lifestyle, indulging in hobbies such as golf, tennis, bowling and biking. His passion for staying active not only contributes to his personal well-being, but also brings a balance of fulfillment to his life.
Securities Agent: IL, GA, MD, IN, VT, PA, OH, NE, MO, WA, OR, NJ, SC, OK, MI, LA, FL, AK, KY, KS, CA, WI, NY, NV, MA, CO, TN, MN, AZ, VA, CT, ID, TX, NC, IA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2377272
NMLS#: 2377272
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
The Value That Drives Us

Trust. Honesty. Respect. Integrity. Commitment. These five values are the foundation of our team. We strive to embody them in everything we do. Our clients know that, and it’s the reason so many of them have been working with us for decades.
Leaving Your Mark
From creating a “nest egg” for loved ones, to advancing the
efforts of a favorite charitable organization – our clients all want to leave their mark. That’s why we:
• Start to have legacy conversations early on in our relationship so that we can account for your estate plan, charitable giving strategies, etc.
• Coordinate with your network of accountants, attorneys, and other advisors to help provide key investment perspective in the times you need it most
• Meet with your loved ones to help them develop healthy
long-term financial habits
Click on the link to learn more about The Modern Perspective Groupefforts of a favorite charitable organization – our clients all want to leave their mark. That’s why we:
• Start to have legacy conversations early on in our relationship so that we can account for your estate plan, charitable giving strategies, etc.
• Coordinate with your network of accountants, attorneys, and other advisors to help provide key investment perspective in the times you need it most
• Meet with your loved ones to help them develop healthy
long-term financial habits
Location
111 S Pfingsten Rd
Ste 200
Deerfield, IL 60015
US
Direct:
(847) 291-5630(847) 291-5630
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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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
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
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 Steven Howard today.
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2When 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.
3Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.
4Morgan 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.
Morgan 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.
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
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2When 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.
3Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.
4Morgan 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.
Morgan 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.
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)