My Story and Services

A dedicated Financial Advisor committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized and deliberate planning, Steve Ware's practice is built on providing solutions that offer financial clarity and long-term stability.

As a third-generation financial advisor, Steven continues a legacy of service and dedication in the financial industry. With a strong foundation in strategic planning and communication, he has transitioned seamlessly into his role at Morgan Stanley, where he focuses on developing tailored financial strategies for a diverse clientele.

Steven's approach to financial advising is both comprehensive and client-focused. He works with a wide range of clients, from individuals and families to charitable organizations, offering strategies that encompass everything from retirement planning to alternative investments. His holistic approach helps to ensure that each client's unique goals and financial outlook are understood and addressed, fostering long-term relationships built on trust and value.

Steven holds the necessary licenses and certifications to provide comprehensive financial advice, including Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, as well as Life and Health Insurance and Annuities certifications. As a Portfolio Manager with an MBA, he is well-equipped to offer experienced guidance and support.

Steven invites you to explore how you can work towards your financial goals together!

Please feel free to reach out to @Steven.Ware@morganstanley.com
Securities Agent: NC, IN, NJ, MD, KY, FL, WV, TX, OH, WI, VT, VA, OR, AZ, CT, CO, WA, NH, MO, IL, HI, PA, NY, NM, NE, MI, ME, GA, MN, CA, MA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2780302
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Investing with Discipline

Tab Image

Our personalized approach is centered around you, your family, and your future aspirations—considering your current situation and your goals. By collaborating closely, we craft strategies to guide you towards your objectives, helping you navigate life's obstacles and enabling you to make more informed decisions regarding your financial well-being.

Step 1: Discovery
  • Gain an understanding of what holds significance for you, your family, and the legacy you wish to create.
  • Recognize any unique aspects of your personal circumstances.
  • Assess your investment background and risk tolerance.
Step 2: Analysis
  • Collect essential data, documents, and financial statements.
  • Perform a comprehensive analysis utilizing a range of financial planning and risk assessment tools.
  • Utilize relationships and resources for insights, including exclusive investment and risk models.
Step 3: Plan Development
  • Develop a comprehensive financial plan to help build, preserve and transfer your wealth according to your goals.
  • Coordinate with your legal and tax advisors to incorporate all aspects of your life into your plan.
Step 4: Presentation and Implementation
  • Present your plan comprehensively, incorporating various "what if" scenarios.
  • Refine your plan based on our discussions.
  • Once approved, prioritize tasks and set timelines for each solution.
  • Prepare the necessary documentation to initiate the transfer of assets to Morgan Stanley.
  • Establish tools to ensure convenient access to your accounts.
Step 5: Communication
  • Schedule regular meetings and calls to track progress towards your goals.
  • Provide tailored reports that include detailed information on the performance of your investments.
  • Discuss changes in your life, adjusting your plan accordingly.
Step 6: Ongoing Service
  • Conduct regular reviews of your investments to ensure they continue to align with your goals and reflect the latest market insights.
  • Provide ongoing guidance, education, and support through a variety of wealth management services, including cash management, estate planning, and charitable giving strategies.

Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf

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.<o:p></o:p> 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

WEALTH EDUCATION

    Icon Image
    The State of Your Parents' Estate

    Talking with a parent about estate planning is never easy. Here are several conversation starters that can help adult children and their parents' plan.

    Learn More
    Icon Image
    The Guide to a Sweet Retirement

    How the power of time can help savvy young investors grow an impressive portfolio.

    Learn More

INVESTOR RESOURCES

    Icon Image
    2026 Investment Outlook

    Risk assets are poised for a strong year in a friendly policy and macroeconomic environment, with U.S. stocks outperforming peers. U.S. government bonds are likely to weaken after a rally in the first half of the year.

    Read More
    Icon Image
    2026 Economic Outlook

    U.S. consumer spending and capital expenditures on AI are likely to drive moderate growth as global inflation slows.

    Read More
    Icon Image
    Will 2026 Tame the Bull Market?

    A resilient economy and strong corporate earnings are likely to drive continued equity gains in 2026. But these gains may be tempered, with optimism already priced into valuations and policy risks looming.

    Icon Image
    2026 GIC Weekly

    The Global Investment Commitee's weekly insights on the market.

    Read More
    Icon Image
    Research

    Through timely, in-depth analysis of companies, industries, markets and world economies, Morgan Stanley has earned its reputation as a leader in the field of investment research.

    Read More
    Icon Image
    2026 Tax Tables

    Educate yourself on the 2026 tax tables and prepare for tax season with the Morgan Stanley Tax Tables 2026 Edition.

    Read More
    Icon Image
    Maximum Benefit and Contribution Limits 2019–2025

    Learn more about the Maximum Benefit and Contribution Limits for 2019-2025 with Morgan Stanley Retirement Solutions.

    Read More
    Icon Image
    Financial Literacy

    Financial literacy means being equipped with the knowledge to help make smart financial decisions during every stage of your life. No matter your current priorities, a strong financial literacy foundation can help you meet your goals.

    Read More

DIGITAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES

We offer a comprehensive suite of tools to manage your wealth more effectively in today's busy world. Please find below links to resources you may find useful as you familiarize yourself with the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management platforms.

    Icon Image
    Morgan Stanley Online

    Be in control of all your finances with Morgan Stanley Online and Morgan Stanley Mobile App. Track your spending, create budgets, deposit checks, and pay bills are just a few things you can do. Take advantage of additional features like current news and market data.

    Access MSO
    Icon Image
    Goals Planning System

    Have a goal you always wanted to accomplish? Along with your Financial Advisor and our Goals Planning System, you will be able to quantify your goals, get advice on what approach to take, and track your progress. GPS is designed to evolve as your life changes to help you reach your goal, even with varying situations.

    Goals Planning System

Client Service Team

    Carousel Associate Image
    Mike Lopez - Registered Client Service Associate
    Phone:
    (727) 344-6722(727) 344-6722
    Email:Mike.Lopez@morganstanley.com
    Mike grew up in Northern California, starting his financial services career back in 2005 with E*TRADE. Since then, he has worked for large banks in both mortgage and retail. Mike moved to St. Petersburg with his wife from Atlanta back in May of 2022 joining Morgan Stanley as a Registered Client Service Associate. He currently holds his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.

Location

150 2nd Avenue N
Suite 1400
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
US
Direct:
(727) 302-6339(727) 302-6339
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
Article Image

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
Article Image

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
Article Image

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
Article Image

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
Article Image

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 Steven Ware 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
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)