The Charter Group

As a Family Wealth Director team, The Charter Group is committed to helping clients simplify their financial lives and reach their most important objectives.  We are guided by one principal – that successful wealth management always begins with understanding the unique needs of each individual client.Once we’ve concluded our thorough discovery process, you’ll have direct access to your personal portfolio manager, to Morgan Stanley’s intellectual capital and to distinctive and opportunistic alternative investment offerings, if applicable. Whether you are a business owner, a medical professional, or an individual preparing for retirement, our diverse skill-set allows us to create sophisticated, individually tailored plans to help clients more easily navigate life’s changes.  We invite you to learn more about how we can help you achieve your financial goals today, tomorrow, and for life.
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Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

A Structured Planning Process

At The Charter Group, we are committed to helping clients understand the new challenges they face and how to meet those challenges successfully.
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    Step 1: Introductory Meeting
    Our relationship begins with an initial discussion aimed towards getting to know you, your lifestyle, and your future goals.
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    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 a suitable risk tolerance that will ultimately help you achieve the financial outcome you envision for yourself.
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    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 all relevant financial information provides a holistic asset allocation analysis for all of your accounts ensuring a comprehensive financial plan.
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    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.
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    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 and benefit modifications.
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    Step 6: Monitoring & Performance Tracking
    Finally, we will be constantly monitoring your assets and analyzing your performance tracking data 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.

    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 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 visit us at http://www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.

A Wealth Management Strategy as Individual as You Are

The Charter Group wealth management process begins with you, your investment objectives and your financial goals. Holistic in its approach, it may encompass various elements of your financial life - your investments and your cash management needs - making sure they align with your goals and wealth management plan.

Chances are, that the goals you set today will evolve over time. Our process is designed to evolve with them - and with the changing circumstances of your life.

Leveraging a sophisticated suite of analytic tools, as well as the extensive resources of Morgan Stanley, The Charter Group can help you take charge of your financial future and achieve your goals.

We have assembled a couple financial tools that speak to our wealth management philosophy and investment strategy. We have provided easy links to these materials and hope you will return often to learn more about topics impacting your wealth.
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    LifeView - Intelligent Planning
    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.

    LifeView provides progress-to-goals reporting and can also illustrate complex planning strategies such as methods of stock option exercise, Roth conversions and 401k early distributions under IRS Rule 72(t).

    Fill out the questionnaire to get started talking with us about creating a personalized strategy for your long-term goals
    Complete Questionnaire Here
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    Strategy - Intelligent Withdrawals
    Building wealth is a means to an end. Taxes can eat up a significant portion of your assets upon withdrawal. This is why it's vital to look at your entire portfolio and coordinate liquidation to help reduce the impact of taxes and potentially improve investment results
    We are backed by sophisticated technology that enables us to look across multiple accounts and products to determine the right combination of securities and positions to sell for client needs.

    The decisions your make today can help you save for years to come. Use the resources found in the link below to help get started.
    View Tax-Aware Strategies Here
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    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley’s Spending and Budgeting tool. These tools help 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.
    Start Using the Tool Today
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    Goals Planning System
    Goals Planning System
    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.
    Start Planning Now
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    Portfolio Risk Platform - Intelligent Risk Management
    There’s a chance your portfolio may be at risk, but how you manage that risk is what matters.

    Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform analyzes over 3,000 risk factors, and models what-if scenarios so you can see the potential impact of hypothetical market shocks. The Portfolio Risk Platform integrates the leading risk analytics engine into Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s platform to improve the quality, transparency, and efficiency of the end to end risk management processes for the Firm and our Clients.

    Assessing our clients’ full investment needs and risks is an essential component of providing comprehensive financial advice in portfolio construction. Key features of the Portfolio Risk Tool, Aladdin, include broadly managing risk, identifying risk based concerns and constructing risk mitigated portfolios.
    Learn More

Are Your Retirement Savings Getting the Most Tax Efficiency?

As a business owner, you are likely looking for opportunities to reduce your taxable income and build your retirement savings. To address both, you may want to consider a Cash Balance plan, which is a type of tax-qualified, defined benefit pension plan regulated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Cash Balance plans offer a number of great features, and have the following characteristics:
Suitability
Potentially suitable for partners / owners who have underfunded their retirement and wish to significantly increase retirement savings with pre-tax contributions. In some cases, contribution allowances may be substantially higher than those for 401(k)’s, profit sharing, SEP or Simple IRA’s.
Benefits
• In many cases, Cash balance plans can be implemented alongside of existing 401(k) or profit sharing plans.
• Like other tax-qualified retirement plans, creditor protection of assets in the event of a lawsuit.
• Ability to roll assets into an IRA or other qualified plan.
Contributions
Contributions to cash balance plans can reduce ordinary income dollar for dollar. With combined tax rates for those in the highest bracket approaching 50%, the tax savings can be substantial.

While contributions to a defined benefit plan are determined by such factors as plan demographics, wages and benefit formulas, a 55 year old, for example, could potentially make a maximum first year contribution of $208,000 in 2021.
Flexibility
More flexibility to weight benefits in favor of owner(s) and/or key employees than a typical defined contribution/401(k) plan (all within IRS guidelines)
Business Owners
For business owners of pass through entities who’s earnings exceed the upper limits to qualify for the new 20% tax reduction, contributions to a cash balance plan would lower taxable income and potentially allow the business owner to claim the additional 20% income tax deduction

Our Suite of Digital Tools

Digital technology is centered on how people communicate, consume, transact and travel. Our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. Here are a few of the technologies we have to offer our clients.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a variety of features beyond viewing your account balance and activity that you should take advantage of. They include:

    - eAuthorizations, an enhanced way to authorize transactions with one click on Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App
    - Managing your everyday finances such as paying bills online, sending money or transferring funds
    Learn More
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    Total Wealth View
    We've launched a new tool that allows you to link information from your accounts at other financial institutions directly to your Morgan Stanley Online or Morgan Stanley Mobile App profile.

    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
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    eDelivery
    eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other Firm documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery. Currently, documents available through eDelivery include statements, trade confirmations and prospectuses, general correspondence, selected Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved tax documents, syndicate offerings, shareholder communications, and portfolio reports.
    Learn More
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    Digital Vault
    Keeping important documents and financial records organized and readily available is one of the best gifts you can give those you love. In the event of catastrophe or serious illness, disability or death, your Family Records Organizer can immediately provide vital, timely information to both your family and professional advisors. The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you and your clients to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
    Learn More

Location

One Financial Plaza
19th FL
Providence, RI 02903
US
Direct:
(401) 863-8430(401) 863-8430
Toll-Free:
(800) 488-1241(800) 488-1241

Meet The Charter Group

About David Locke

Senior Vice President
Wealth Advisor
Family Wealth Director
Senior Portfolio Manager

David formulates high net worth client strategies that go beyond investing to encompass retirement planning, wealth transfer and a variety of other disciplines.  Working closely with other client advisors, he helps devise a well thought-out investment philosophy derived from a three-part discovery process.  David places an emphasis on helping clients create, grow and preserve wealth, aiming to avoid many of the pitfalls and mistakes so many investors make.

After serving at several nationally known financial services firms where he advised senior corporate executives and other high net worth individuals, David joined Morgan Stanley in 2007. He earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation in 2004 and is a Morgan Stanley Senior Portfolio Manager.

A graduate of Northeastern University with a BA in Political Science, David lives in Warwick, RI with his three children.
Securities Agent: TX, NH, IL, SC, RI, MD, DE, CT, UT, NM, ME, NJ, LA, IA, CA, NY, MA, FL, DC, AZ, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1278772

About Val Colasanto

Vice President
Financial Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager

Val manages our in-house client portfolios and is responsible for day-to-day investment decisions made on behalf of our clients. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2006, Val served as an equity research analyst and assistant equity portfolio manager at a private investment advisory firm in Boston.  He also spent several years at Bank of America’s Columbia Mutual Fund group as a trading assistant and credit analyst.

Val graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Economics. He received his MBA from Boston University’s Graduate School of Management and earned the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation in 2002. Val is also a Morgan Stanley Senior Portfolio Manager.  He lives in Mansfield, MA with his wife Victoria and two children.
Securities Agent: WA, NM, CO, SC, VT, AZ, PA, FL, NH, LA, VA, TX, DE, NY, RI, CT, NJ, MD, MA, DC, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1272739

About Liz Forsythe

Equally comfortable with both the financial and technical sides of the business, Liz has been with Morgan Stanley for almost 25 years. She started her career at Morgan Stanley’s Boston Harbor complex in 1998 as a Client Service Associate. In 2011 she transitioned to the role of Field Trainer, a position that she held until joining our team this year. Liz's command of many of the technologies and digital tools that have been rolled out at the firm over the last decade allows her to bring her technical acumen and exceptional client service skills to assist our clients with their day-to-day needs. As a trainer, Liz was instrumental in streamlining the business processes of the teams in her territory and earned accolades from teams nationwide.
Liz graduated from Emmanuel College with a BA in Political Science. In her spare time Liz enjoys gardening, singing with the Charles River Chorale, and serves as the Chorale’s Vice Chair She lives in Norwood, Massachusetts with her boyfriend Joe.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Charter Group today.
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1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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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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3When 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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4Morgan 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.

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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.

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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

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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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8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)