Vice President, Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
Phone:
(312) 827-6651(312) 827-6651
The Burnham Group at Morgan Stanley
Direct:
(312) 827-6572(312) 827-6572
Toll-Free:
(800) 488-4248(800) 488-4248
Our Mission Statement
When you succeed, we succeed. Our professional planning and investment practice helps you preserve, grow, and transfer wealth efficiently. We do so with transparency, integrity, and discipline.
The Burnham Group Story
The Burnham Group will help you define your goals and strives to help you meet them by delivering a vast array of financial planning and investment resources to you. Our process includes comprehensive financial planning and implementation. Working together, you can expect a diligent focus on the aspects of your financial journey that are important to realizing your dreams; that is our committment to you.
Services Include
- Financial PlanningFootnote1
- Asset Management
- 401(k) Rollovers
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote2
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote3
- Retirement PlanningFootnote4
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote5
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote6
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote7
- Executive Financial ServicesFootnote8
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Working With You
At Morgan Stanley, we believe that identifying financial solutions begins with a solid understanding of each client's situation, goals, objectives, and risk tolerance. We follow a disciplined process that allows us to work with you to craft a solution that helps to meet your individual financial needs:
Step 1: Introductory Meeting
Our relationship begins with an initial discussion aimed towards getting to know you, your lifestyle, and your future goals.
Step 2: Discovery Meeting
During the discovery meeting, we will work together to establish your financial goals by reviewing your current financial situation and developing an appropriate risk tolerance that can help you achieve the financial outcome you envision for yourself.
Step 3: Financial Plan Presentation
Financial plan presentations map out essential factors that play into your financial success such as your employee and employer contributions, liquidity events, and insurance coverage. Examining relevant financial information provides a holistic asset allocation analysis for your accounts helping ensure a comprehensive financial plan.
Step 4: Action Items / Next Steps
After the financial plan presentation, we will follow up with you regarding our analysis and recommendations, which may include adjustments to your financial plan, investment allocation, company benefits, and insurance coverage.
Step 5: Implementation Meeting
The implementation meeting focuses on creating prospective strategies custom designed for your specific needs. Recommended changes could include logistics, tax impact, asset allocation adjustments, and saving/benefit modifications.
Step 6: Monitoring & Performance Tracking
Finally, we will be constantly monitoring your assets and analyzing your performance tracking data seeking to ensure your financial expectations are being met and adjusted accordingly. We will keep a high degree of communication with you to make sure your concerns and requests are always addressed.
WHO WE WORK WITH
Our clients are primarily successful professionals, business owners, executives, families and institutions: some of whom are at the height of their careers, some of whom are approaching retirement, and all of whom are our first priority. We take great pride in the fact that our clients come to us not only for investment assistance, but guidance on virtually all financial matters. We are often asked to meet with children or grandchildren so they can better understand the responsibilities that come with the wealth they will inherit someday. And when we do not have all the answers, we can draw upon the extensive resources of Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s most respected financial services firms.
Business Owners
We play an important role in helping business owners manage their finances and make strategic decisions. We can provide guidance on topics such as cash flow management, investment strategies, risk management, and tax planning strategies. We can help business owners navigate complex financial regulations and provide advice on financial issues that may arise during the life cycle of the business. By working with us, business owners can make informed decisions and better position their business for long-term success.
Working Professionals
Understanding your goals is an important part of our relationship. We provide valuable guidance to working professionals in developing a comprehensive financial plan to achieve your short - and long-term goals. As a team we offer advice on topics such as budgeting, debt management, retirement planning, investment strategies, and tax planning strategies. We help you navigate major life changes such as starting a family, buying a home, or changing careers. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions and take control of your financial future.
Families
Helping families navigate complex financial decisions and develop a plan to achieve their financial goals is something we pride ourselves on. We will provide guidance on topics such as debt management, retirement planning, investment strategies, tax planning, and estate planning strategies. Our team helps families navigate major life events such as marriage, divorce, and the birth or adoption of children. By working with us families can make informed decisions and better position themselves for long-term financial stability and success.
Institutions
We provide valuable experience to institutions such as corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Offering advice on topics such as investment management, risk management, financial reporting, and employee benefits. We will help you navigate complex financial regulations and provide guidance on major financial decisions such as mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and debt offerings.
INDIVIDUAL PLANS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIKE YOU
Goals you set today will evolve over time. Our process is designed to evolve with them - and with the changing circumstances of your life. Holistic in its approach, our planning process will encompass all the elements of your financial and personal life, making sure they align with your current and future goals.
Leveraging a sophisticated suite of analytical tools, as well as decades of industry experience, our team can help you take charge of your financial future and achieve your goals.
Leveraging a sophisticated suite of analytical tools, as well as decades of industry experience, our team can help you take charge of your financial future and achieve your goals.
Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)
CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first. That’s why a CFP® professional can help increase consumers’ confidence today, while working to provide them with a more secure tomorrow.
James and Brendan hold this designation.
James and Brendan hold this designation.
LifeView Intelligent Planning
LifeView is a suite of planning tools that includes goal-specific analysis that we can use with our clients to create a realistic, holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of an individual’s financial life, including investments and cash management needs.
Click Here to Learn More
Goals Planning System (GPS)
Goals Planning System (GPS) is Morgan Stanley’s own integrated planning tool. Built on the Firm’s intellectual capital and capabilities, GPS is an intuitive and efficient platform used to quickly assess whether a client is “On Track” to achieving their financial goals.
Click Here to Learn More
Spending and Budgeting Tool
One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley’s Spending and Budgeting tool. This tool helps advisors monitor client cash flows across both internal and external accounts. It also tracks spending patterns and produces an income and expense analysis to help clients achieve their goals by adjusting their spending behavior when necessary.
Click Here to Learn MoreValuable Tools and Resources:
Our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. Below are a few of the technologies that we have to offer our clients. We have also included resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research into concise and easily digestible content.
Total Wealth View
Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.
Learn More About Total Wealth View
GIC Weekly Research Report
The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
Read The Latest Report
Goals Based Planning
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.
Learn About Our Planning Tools
On The Markets Research Report
Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
Read The Latest Report
Online Security Center
At Morgan Stanley, safeguarding your assets and personal information is among our highest priorities. Learn about our security measures and use our resources and ideas to help protect yourself online.
Learn More About Online Security Center
Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast
The Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast brings you revealing stories about the world of business, finance, technology and beyond.
Check Out The Latest Episode
Morgan Stanley Online
Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
Learn More About MSO
Thoughts On The Market Podcast
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 EpisodeLocation
233 S Wacker Dr
Ste 8600
Chicago, IL 60606
US
Direct:
(312) 827-6572(312) 827-6572
Toll-Free:
(800) 488-4248(800) 488-4248
Meet The Burnham Group
Vice President, Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager, Executive Financial Services Director, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
Phone:
(312) 827-6572(312) 827-6572
Alan Cozzi
Client Service Associate, Client Service Associate
Phone:
(312) 827-6871(312) 827-6871
About James F Weaver
Jim's financial planning and investment management experience is dedicated to the sole purpose of helping clients create, grow, and preserve assets during life’s financial journey. Personally working with each client, a financial plan along with an asset management discipline is tailored, with the aim of helping client’s achieve their goals and dreams.
To help manage the worry that can accompany volatile markets on the road to financial independence, a unique and pragmatic discipline is utilized to help calm nerves in an uncertain and emotional world, all from the safety of our Morgan Stanley offices. Every time a client says “thank you”, the gravity and importance of the guidance provided is realized; this is truly most gratifying.
To help manage the worry that can accompany volatile markets on the road to financial independence, a unique and pragmatic discipline is utilized to help calm nerves in an uncertain and emotional world, all from the safety of our Morgan Stanley offices. Every time a client says “thank you”, the gravity and importance of the guidance provided is realized; this is truly most gratifying.
Securities Agent: WI, WA, VA, UT, TX, TN, SC, PA, OR, OH, NY, NV, NM, NJ, NH, NC, MO, MN, MI, ME, MD, MA, LA, KY, KS, IN, IL, IA, HI, GA, FL, CT, CO, CA, AZ, AR, AL, MT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1368852
NMLS#: 1368852
About Brendan R Connolly
Brendan focuses on simplifying your financial life by helping you navigate the complex and ever-changing environment that comes with significant wealth. Brendan helps clients navigate this world by first developing a comprehensive wealth plan that gets to truly understand each client's situation and then collaboratively develops a tailored set of solutions to meet your unique needs. It is only when a client is put first that the relationship can be succesful. When you succeed, we succeed.
Securities Agent: IA, WV, WA, VA, TX, TN, SC, PA, OR, OH, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, MT, AL, WI, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1268279
NMLS#: 1268279
Contact James F Weaver
Contact Brendan R Connolly
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
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
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
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
Article Image
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Burnham Group today.
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.
1Morgan 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
4When 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.
5Alternative 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.
6Morgan 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
7Morgan 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.
8Morgan 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.
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
1Morgan 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
4When 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.
5Alternative 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.
6Morgan 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
7Morgan 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.
8Morgan 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.
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)
