Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
Stephen Platter
Executive Director, Private Wealth Management,
Private Wealth Advisor,
Family Wealth Director,
Alternative Investments Director,
Portfolio Management Director
Direct:
(925) 253-5330(925) 253-5330
My Mission Statement
Delivering the experience, resources and personalized service needed to help affluent families address their most complex wealth management issues.
Welcome
As Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisors, we combine our own talents and experience with the vast resources of a global financial services firm to address the planning, governance, liability management and investing needs of ultra high net worth families, their businesses and philanthropic enterprises. We take a holistic approach that is grounded in investment strategy, but covers virtually every aspect of your financial life: risk management, liabilities, trusts and estate structures and even family dynamics and lifestyle management issues. Our goal is to help preserve and grow your financial, family and social capital so that it can have the greatest positive impact today and for generations to come.
We look forward to learning more about you and your family, and discussing the resources we can place at your disposal.
We look forward to learning more about you and your family, and discussing the resources we can place at your disposal.
Capabilities
- Comprehensive Wealth Planning
- Pre-Liquidity Planning
- Investment Management
- Manager Selection
- Proprietary Investment Opportunities
- Sustainable & Responsible InvestingFootnote1
- Risk Management
- Hedging Strategies
- Philanthropy Management
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Consolidated Reporting
- 10b5-(1) Programs
Securities Agent: OH, NV, MD, FL, CO, CA, IL, VA, NH, ID, GA, CT, AZ, PR, MT, DC, NC, DE, TX, MN, MA, UT, NY, NJ, HI, MO, MI, WA, PA, OR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1301111
CA Insurance License #: 0B17290
NMLS#: 1301111
CA Insurance License #: 0B17290
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
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 350 teams1 specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
- Over $980 billion in AUM1
- Comprising 23% of the Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams for 2024
- 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, 2024
Source: Barron's.com (May 2024) 2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams awarded in 2024. The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, their regulatory records and credentials of their members, and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. Clients are encouraged to approach a search for an advisor the way they would a search for a doctor—interviewing multiple professionals and getting opinions from multiple third parties. 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.
Our Clients
We serve a relatively small number of highly accomplished entrepreneurs, executives, financial professionals and their families. Our practice reflects our investment banking backgrounds and Northern California location, serving many clients in the technology, venture capital and kindred industries.
We first began working with many of our clients as they were in the process of creating significant wealth through involvement in privately held businesses. Some were the founders of those enterprises, and others were key investors and executives with equity stakes. Drawing on our own experience and personal networks, we were able to help them make informed decisions about strategic business issues, wealth planning matters and the intersection between the two.
Now that many have monetized the value of those enterprises, we often focus on helping them manage concentrated equity positions and/or deferred compensation that constitute a significant portion of their overall net worth. Our goal is to create a highly customized wealth management plan based on each family’s distinct needs, goals, challenges and values. We work to simplify the management of their wealth, so they are free to enjoy its rewards.
We first began working with many of our clients as they were in the process of creating significant wealth through involvement in privately held businesses. Some were the founders of those enterprises, and others were key investors and executives with equity stakes. Drawing on our own experience and personal networks, we were able to help them make informed decisions about strategic business issues, wealth planning matters and the intersection between the two.
Now that many have monetized the value of those enterprises, we often focus on helping them manage concentrated equity positions and/or deferred compensation that constitute a significant portion of their overall net worth. Our goal is to create a highly customized wealth management plan based on each family’s distinct needs, goals, challenges and values. We work to simplify the management of their wealth, so they are free to enjoy its rewards.
Our Approach
We take a distinctly different view of asset allocation than many other wealth advisors, having developed a proprietary risk segmentation process that encompasses your entire balance sheet. Called LIVE®, our approach begins by defining your goals and establishing a timeline for each of them. We then segregate your assets into four risk buckets, aligned with specific objectives: Liquidity, Income, Volatility and Extraordinary Equity. These segments can also be viewed as risk categories, each focusing on a different time horizon and containing different types of assets.
As we work together, we will make continual adjustments, so that your investment strategy remains current with your evolving aspirations, responsibilities and passions.
The LIVE® Assets includes:
Liquid Assets
The highly liquid assets needed to meet spending needs over the coming one to three years.
Income Assets
Assets that are managed to meet expenses 5 to 10 years out.
Volatile Assets
Assets that are managed with a view toward meeting expenses 10 or more years out, adjusted for personal risk tolerance.
Extraordinary Assets
This may include the management of both tangible and intangible assets that do not necessarily align with the need to pay for current or future expenses.
As we work together, we will make continual adjustments, so that your investment strategy remains current with your evolving aspirations, responsibilities and passions.
The LIVE® Assets includes:
Liquid Assets
The highly liquid assets needed to meet spending needs over the coming one to three years.
Income Assets
Assets that are managed to meet expenses 5 to 10 years out.
Volatile Assets
Assets that are managed with a view toward meeting expenses 10 or more years out, adjusted for personal risk tolerance.
Extraordinary Assets
This may include the management of both tangible and intangible assets that do not necessarily align with the need to pay for current or future expenses.
Location
1333 N California Blvd
Suite 133
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
US
Direct:
(925) 253-5330(925) 253-5330
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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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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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.
We look forward to discussing your needs and goals, and the exceptional resources we can place at your disposal.
1Investing in the market entails the risk of market volatility. The value of all types of investments may increase or decrease over varying time periods. The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of sustainable or impact investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because sustainability and impact criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria.
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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
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
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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
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 4237142 (02/2025)
