Our Story and Services

Life is full of possibilities. Even life's curve balls can be opportunities when the right preparation and guidance are in place. That’s where we come in.

Bobby has 50 years of experience serving individual and corporate clients. Amanda has 18 years of industry experience, including several in leadership. Our job is to convert our experiences into thoughtful, proactive processes and recommendations for you.

For all clients, we begin with the end in mind—working with you to uncover your goals and craft a tailored plan to help achieve them. We deploy sound and diverse investment options, risk management, and cash management and lending services to craft the right infrastructure for you and your family.

For our clients with more complex family wealth needs, we facilitate productive dialogue to help families craft a family Mission Statement and processes for transparency, education, and values-based planning. We also incorporate advanced solutions, like our industry-leading Alternative Investments platform.

For our clients who own a business or are executives, we take a hands-on approach for supporting your competitive edge in your business. From retirement solutions to help you recruit and retain the best employees, to lending solutions to provide liquidity in ways you might not have thought of, and from concentrated stock needs, to succession planning and private or public equity to monetize your business, you have our undivided attention as we work together to support your success.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Who We Work With

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We Help Our Clients
• Manage life events with confidence, including the transition to retirement, the sale of a business or liquidity event, divorce or loss of a spouse.

• Minimize taxes, while optimizing investment performance.
Carefully manage corporate retirement and professional association assets

• Finance major acquisitions.

• Diversify highly concentrated positions.

• Prepare the next generation to effectively manage wealth.

• Achieve charitable and philanthropic goals.

• Adopt smart technology to help organize and manage their finances.

• Track progress towards achieving life goals.
Our Clients Include:
• Busy professionals and executives open to receiving advice.

• Founders and tech professionals looking for an advisor who understands their unique opportunities and challenges.

• Successful business owners focused on growth or succession planning.

• Women seeking experienced support and guidance from other women.

• Retirees and individuals planning for the next chapter.

• Families spanning multiple generations focused on legacy creation.

• Workers’ Comp Funds

• Corporate 401k Plans

• Non-Profits.

• Endowments.

• Referrals from existing clients and industry professionals.

While our clients have unique goals and circumstances, they have one thing in common: The desire to simplify their finances and develop an integrated wealth strategy for now and the future.

We provide the knowledge and insights you need to succeed in today’s fast-paced world, so you may enjoy your wealth and leave the legacy you desire.

Working With You

Our group has developed a step-by-step approach to service to understand your financial goals and develop the solutions to help get you there.
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    1. Getting to Know You
    This is our opportunity to learn about you and your opportunity to learn about us so that, collectively, we can determine whether we are a good fit for each other. If we agree to move forward, we will then continue with a more in-depth discussion. We take a deeper dive into the values that shape your decisions, the concerns that keep you up at night, and any unique family circumstances. We explore a host of qualitative and quantitative questions and request supporting documents to get a complete understanding of your situation.
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    2. Analysis and Strategy
    Our team will review and analyze your current circumstances, and the future you envision. We prepare a first draft of your financial plan and portfolio risk review, and share them with you at our next meeting. In collaboration with you we revise the plan as needed, and provide you with a final draft that includes the specific strategies we recommend.
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    3. Implementing Your Plan
    With your approval, we begin to implement the plan. This often encompasses a broad range of strategies – from investments and insurance to lending and estate planning. We collaborate with your existing CPA and estate attorney, or can introduce you to a CPA or estate attorney if needed.
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    4. Ongoing Stewardship
    To ensure a personalized experience, we customize a communication plan that takes into account your preferences. We meet regularly to help ensure your plan remains current and to review your progress towards achieving your goals.

Our Suite of Digital Tools

Morgan Stanley's suite of Modern Wealth Management Tools allows advisors to offer more customized and comprehensive advice than anywhere else. These tools' ease of use allows for a more in-depth view of a client's financial life to be taken, resulting in better service and more well-rounded advice.
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    Portfolio Risk Platforms - Powered by Aladdin
    Portfolio Risk Platform is a risk management platform that provides comprehensive risk estimation and reporting across a broad range of asset classes and security types. This platform provides a holistic view to better enable risk to be effectively monitored and managed.
    Learn How We Mitigate Risk For Clients
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    Goals Planning System
    Working with us, paired with our technology, is a great way to access advice and build a wealth plan. Read more about the advantages of working with our planning technology in reaching your financial goals.
    Contact the Birmingham Red Mountain Group at Morgan Stanley to start the conversation.
    Learn More About GPS
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    You investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. Includes:
    - eAuthorizations, an enhanced way to authorize transactions with one click on Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
    - eDelivery, which reduces paper documents sent by mail and can protect your personal information from getting into the hands of identity thieves.
    - Managing your everyday finances such as paying bills online, sending money or transferring funds.
    Sign Up For MSO
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    Total Wealth View
    It’s hard to see the complete picture with only half the details. As a Morgan Stanley client, you
    can now conveniently view your accounts from other financial institutions on Morgan Stanley
    Online or by using the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
    The ability to view all of your assets together provides the opportunity to advise on your Morgan Stanley accounts with your entire financial picture in mind.
    Learn More About Total Wealth View
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    Digital Vault
    The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows clients and their families to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
    Learn More About Digital Vault
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    Data Security
    At Morgan Stanley, our highest priority is keeping your information protected. Morgan Stanley dedicates significant resources to protecting your assets and personal information.
    Learn More About Data Security

Resources and Podcasts

Financial education leads to better insights into investment strategy and ultimately, better long-term decisions. As a result, we are committed to providing you with important information about managing your wealth more effectively in all market conditions. We have assembled a collection of resources that reinforce the fundamental investment strategies and concepts of our practice. We’ve provided links to these materials, where available, and hope you’ll return often to learn more about the topics that impact your overall wealth.
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    Thoughts on the Market
    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief US Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Check Out The Latest Episode
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    GIC On The Markets
    A monthly publication that summarizes the Global Investment Committee’s market outlook and contains thought-provoking essays that examine the forces shaping the investment landscape. Check out this month's edition here.
    See the Latest Publication Here
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    The Morgan Stanley Minute
    A series of one minute investment insights videos featuring our firms leading thinkers. The Morgan Stanley Minute offers an opportunity for investors to discover current investment trends.
    Learn More Here
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    Morgan Stanley 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.
    Learn More Here
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    Reserved Living & Giving
    Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards Morgan Stanley's most valued clients. Members can enjoy special discounts and timely insights to support them at home and beyond.
    Learn More Here
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    Retirement Planning
    It’s important to determine how much money you may need to save for a comfortable retirement. Here are six simple steps to help you determine whether you are on track to meet your retirement needs.
    Learn More Here

Location

3500 Colonnade Parkway
Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35243
US
Direct:
(205) 969-7092(205) 969-7092

Meet The Southern Crescent Group

About Amanda Stewart Raney

Amanda Stewart Raney is focused, first and foremost, on helping clients define their specific goals, and on building a strategy and action steps to help them achieve them. She believes that a great plan is built on an understanding of a client's many milestones, both expected and unexpected. Her goal is to help clients prepare for the unexpected, and make the most of their resources and opportunities.

She brings many years of experience not only serving clients, but training, developing, and supervising Financial Advisors as they serve theirs. She is passionate about using her knowledge of the broader organization and its resources to bring the breadth and depth of Morgan Stanley's offerings to her clients.

Amanda serves her community in the Shades Valley Rotary, and as a board member for the Mountain Brook YMCA.

Amanda has been in the industry for 17 years. She spent her first years at Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor, and then as a Manager for the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. Amanda joined Morgan Stanley in 2013 as part of the Regional team based in Atlanta. She came home to Alabama in 2015 as Associate Complex Manager for the Alabama and Florida Panhandle offices of Morgan Stanley, where she met her partner, Bobby Aycock. Bobby and Amanda have been partners since 2019.
Securities Agent: GA, WI, SC, NY, MI, TN, MD, AR, TX, ME, VA, OH, DE, UT, CA, FL, AL, MS, NJ; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 510845

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 Whitney Syme

Whitney Syme is an Associate Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley
Wealth Management offices in Alabama, Arkansas, and Florida.

Associate Private Bankers partner with Private Bankers and 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.

Whitney began her career in financial services in 2006 when she joined Morgan Stanley. Prior to her current role she served as a Business Development Associate and as a Senior Complex Service Manager.

Whitney is a graduate of the Auburn University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her family. Whitney is a member of the Big Oak Ranch Auxiliary and Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights Parent Teacher Organization. Outside of the office, Whitney enjoys painting, hiking, skiing, and traveling.
NMLS#: 2277780

About Brandon Marsh

Brandon Marsh, CPWA® is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Alabama, Arkansas, and the Florida Panhandle. Brandon is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients' and prospects' financial planning needs.

Brandon began his career in financial services as a financial analyst upon graduating from college and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014. His career in the financial services industry spans more than 21 years, during which time he has held roles in various aspects of the industry, including fixed income, asset liability, portfolio management, and derivative experience. Brandon’s scope of experience lends delivering guidance and skilled focus to clients on a variety of areas of financial planning concerns.

Brandon holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. As a FINRA registered representative, he holds Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses. Brandon has earned a CPWA (Certified Private Wealth Advisor) designation, awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute. Brandon lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife Hayley and two sons Paul and Walton. He enjoys time spent with family, fishing with his boys, coaching sports teams, and scouts.
Private Bankers, Ultra High Net Worth (“UHNW”) Sales Specialists, Lending Advisors, Mortgage Consultants, Relationship Managers, Cash Management Specialists, 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.

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

Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.

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.

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.

Wealth Management
From Our Team

Teaching Your Teenagers About Money


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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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.

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.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Southern Crescent Group today.
1Morgan 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.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Morgan 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.

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3Morgan 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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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.

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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.

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6The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG 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. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

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7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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

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9Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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10When 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.

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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), 3582895 (6/2024)