

The Balog Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
Working With You – The Balog Group at Morgan Stanley
At The Balog Group, we are committed to delivering a comprehensive wealth management experience that empowers our clients to make informed financial decisions. Leveraging the full intellectual capital of Morgan Stanley, we offer personalized strategies that encompass financial planning, portfolio management, lending solutions and cash management, estate and philanthropic planning, and more.
Our Four-Step Wealth Management Process
- Define Your Financial Objectives
We begin by understanding your unique financial goals, family dynamics, and business considerations. This foundational step ensures that our strategies align with your personal and professional aspirations. - Develop a Personalized Investment Strategy
Utilizing Morgan Stanley's extensive resources, we craft an investment plan tailored to your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial objectives. This includes access to a diverse range of investment opportunities across domestic and international markets. - Implement a Customized Portfolio
We construct and manage a diversified portfolio on a discretionary basis, incorporating a mix of equities, fixed income, ETFs, and alternative investments. Our approach emphasizes tactical asset allocation to seek compelling returns while managing risk. - Monitor and Adjust Your Plan
Through ongoing reviews and performance monitoring, we ensure your financial plan remains aligned with your evolving goals and market conditions. This includes regular assessments and adjustments to your investment strategy as needed.
Tax-Efficient Strategies
Preserving and growing your wealth requires thoughtful tax planning. Our comprehensive approach includes:
- Asset allocation Optimization: By strategically placing investments across taxable and tax-advantaged accounts, we aim to maximize after-tax returns based on the specific tax treatment of each asset class.
- Tax-Loss Harvesting: We proactively identify opportunities to offset capital gains by realizing losses in underperforming investments, thereby reducing your overall tax liability.
- 1031 Exchanges: For clients with appreciated investment properties, we facilitate 1031 exchanges to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting proceeds into like-kind properties. This strategy can enhance purchasing power, reset depreciation schedules, and align real estate holdings with your broader financial objectives. We have guided numerous clients through successful 1031 exchanges, leveraging Morgan Stanley's extensive resources to navigate the complexities of these transactions.
- Exchange funds: Offers clients the ability to diversify their investments by exchanging stock positions, oftentimes in highly appreciated or restricted stock for shares of a diversified portfolio. Contribution of appreciated stock to properly structured exchange fund are not a taxable event
Our team collaborates closely with you and your tax advisors to implement these strategies effectively, ensuring they complement your overall wealth management plan.
Alternative Investments and Private Market Platform
As part of our commitment to providing diversified investment opportunities, we offer access to a wide range of alternative investments through Morgan Stanley's robust platform.
- Private Equity: Investing in private companies can offer the potential for higher returns and diversification beyond traditional public markets.
- Private Credit: Engaging in private lending opportunities may provide attractive income streams and risk-adjusted returns.
- Real Assets: Investments in real estate and infrastructure can serve as a hedge against inflation and contribute to portfolio diversification.
- Hedge Funds: These strategies aim to deliver returns with low correlation to traditional asset classes, potentially enhancing overall portfolio performance.
Through Morgan Stanley's Private Markets platform, eligible clients can explore curated co-investment opportunities across various asset classes, industries, and geographies, often with lower minimums than many competitors.
Morgan Stanley Outsourced Chief Investment Office (OCIO) and Family Office Resources (FOR)
The Balog group partners with Morgan Stanley OCIO to offer holistic Portfolio Solutions for Institutions and UNHW Families and work closely with FOR to connect our clients with the extensive specialized resources in trust and estate planning, family governance, wealth education, family office management, philanthropy management, private banking and wealth planning for art and collectibles.
With over 90 years of combined experience backed by the global resources of Morgan Stanley, The Balog Group is dedicated to building lasting relationships grounded in trust and integrity. We strive to be your financial advisory team, guiding you through every stage of your financial journey.
- Wealth ManagementFootnote1
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote2
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote3
- Financial PlanningFootnote4
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote5
- Retirement PlanningFootnote6
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote7
- Cash ManagementFootnote8
- Lending Products
- Life InsuranceFootnote9
- Long Term Care InsuranceFootnote10
- Planning for Education FundingFootnote11
- LGBT+ Planning ServicesFootnote12
- Planning for Individuals with Special Needs
- Asset Management
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote13
- Endowments and FoundationsFootnote14
Rise to Financial Stardom with The Balog Group
The mission of our Sports and Entertainment practice is to deepen and broaden our existing client relationships in the Entertainment Industry by creating a greater awareness of our wealth management capabilities as it relates to the complexity of their lives. The Balog Group can help you navigate these complex situations.
Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment, a division committed to serving the complex financial needs of professional athletes and entertainers. The division was created because every sports and entertainment profession is unique, with its own characteristics, earnings profile and career span. Our clients need Sports and Entertainment Directors who know the industry and how money flows from their work to their wallet.
Sports and Entertainment Directors were chosen for their advanced experience working in very specific fields. In our case, it's actors, screenwriters, directors and musicians. We understand the unique financial challenges of entertainers and can help craft customized financial strategies that are tailored to their specific needs. Delivering the powerful resources of Morgan Stanley, one of the world's leading financial services firms, we work to translate our client's goals into a financial strategies designed to help grow assets, preserve wealth and ensure a successful financial life and legacy.
Morgan Stanley GSE are proud to announce the launch of Money in the Making™, a digital financial education program developed and designed specifically for the next generation of athletes, entertainers and emerging talent. We partnered with entertainers, creators, and athletes, such as NFL great Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. to create a new digital financial education program aims to help young athletes, entertainers and emerging talent in the sports and entertainment industry build and manage wealth.
The Newport Beach Film Festival is an event produced by, for, and about film enthusiasts. As such, NBFF events and screenings may be recorded or reproduced by the Newport Beach Film Festival, its designees, and/or attending participants.
Location
Meet The Balog Group
About Anouchka Balog
Anouchka’s commitment to building deep, values-based client relationships has defined her approach throughout her career. A strong advocate for holistic wealth planning, she believes that truly understanding a client’s goals, concerns, and family dynamics is essential to delivering meaningful financial advice. She is especially known for being an exceptional listener, taking the time to hear what truly matters to her clients and building personalized strategies around those conversations.
Anouchka’s dedication to her clients and leadership in the industry have earned her numerous prestigious designations. She is a Managing Director and a member of the Firm’s exclusive Chairman’s Club, which honors the top Financial Advisors at Morgan Stanley. She is also a Certified Financial Planner™ and holds the titles of Family Wealth Director and Global Sports and Entertainment Director—elite distinctions awarded to Morgan Stanley Advisors who complete rigorous accreditation in advanced wealth planning.
Through her role as a Global Sports and Entertainment Director, Anouchka is a Registered Institutional Player Financial Advisor with the NFL Players Association, recognized for delivering tailored wealth management solutions and financial education programs to NFL players and their agents. The sports & entertainment industry have unique demands, and Anouchka creates boutique strategies designed specifically for the complex needs of actors, athletes, screenwriters, directors, and musicians to manage their complex financial lives for long-term success.
Outside her professional commitments, Anouchka cherishes time with her husband, Tim, and is a proud mom to their daughter Seychelle, a pre-med student at Cornell University. As a family, they enjoy traveling, playing tennis and golf, and sharing a love of reading.
Anouchka is very active in the local community by championing several cultural and social causes, such as her support and involvement with Human Options, and the Newport Beach Film Festival! Anouchka’s involvement in advancing the community safety by supporting individuals affected by domestic violence through Human Options, and supporting the culture development and contributing to the Newport Beach Film Festival; reflects her dedication to fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
NMLS#: 1282780
CA Insurance License #: 0A87150
About Christopher Mullery
Years at Morgan Stanley: 33+
Originally from New York, Christopher began his career at Smith Barney Harris Upham, Inc. and has held various corporate positions in both New York and Los Angeles. In 2007, Christopher joined The Balog Group at Morgan Stanley as a Business Development Director and firm-designated Financial Planning Associate. In 2011, Christopher earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designation from the College of Financial Planning.
Christopher brings over 30 years of financial planning experience to the team. Christopher's primary responsibility is to ensure that systems are in place to provide continuously efficient and high-quality service to the clients of The Balog Group. In addition, Christopher assists Anouchka with banking and lending solutions, financial planning, and performance reporting.
In his spare time, Christopher and his wife, Carmen, live in Mission Viejo with their two children. Besides being a passionate New York sports fan and Liverpool Football Club, Christopher enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with his family and family dogs.
CRC#5705972
About Ritamarie Kikawa
Years at Morgan Stanley: 18+
Rita takes pride in making our clients feel like family. From the time an account is first opened, her attention to detail and follow-up form the basis of the Balog Group experience.
With over 20 years of industry experience, she joined The Balog Group at Morgan Stanley in 2005. Ritamarie is responsible for all of administrative and operational duties for The Balog Group. Her experience as a former branch operations manager has prepared her to deliver first-in-class service to clients. Some of her responsibilities are:
• Client contact for all general inquires
• Manages client documents and performs routine account maintenance
• Administers clients monthly income distributions
• Assists clients with cash management, such as money transfers and wires
• Supports clients with Morgan Stanley Online
When out of the office, Ritamarie enjoys spending time with her husband and playing with their dog, Sundae.
CRC#5705972
About Fady Mansour
Outside work, he enjoys volunteering, and is an active member of Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization, and S.O.W. Ministries. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and playing soccer.
About Barbara Collette
Outside of Morgan Stanley, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and three small children. They enjoy family walks, camping, fishing, and the great outdoors.
CRC# 5791917

Contact Anouchka Balog
The Balog Group Newsletter 03/11/2024 - Unemployment Charts of the Week
Portfolio Insights
Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers
- Investment Management
- Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
- Private Banking Solutions
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Lifestyle Advisory
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
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.
2Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
3Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
4Morgan 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 www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
6When 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.
7Morgan 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.
8Morgan 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
9Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
10Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
11When 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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.
12Morgan 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.
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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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
14Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
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