DHC Group Story

The DHC Group Brings over 25 years of professional experience to financial plan development, and portfolio construction. Our practice is based around staying grounded in common sense investing strategies for long term client relationships.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Working With You

Our consultative method is the same for all of our clients: we work closely with them to help articulate their goals and aspirations for themselves, their loved ones, and their businesses. Then we thoughtfully create a holistic wealth management strategy based on their objectives; being mindful of risk mitigation, tax issues, and changing economic conditions. We regularly review portfolios with our clients to make sure that their plans are on track towards their short and long term goals.
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    Step 1: Introduction & Discovery Meeting
    We want to get to know you, understand what's important to you, your family and your loved ones. We will discuss important investment concepts and our approach to Financial Planning along with an in-depth discussion of your needs, values and aspirations for the future of your current wealth:
    • Review assets, liabilities, lending solutions, insurance, etc.
    • Current investment strategies
    • Identify circumstances which make your personal situation unique
    • Develop an appropriate risk tolerance








    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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    Step 2: Asset Allocation
    We will help you develop a customized asset allocation model that reflects your investment time horizon and risk profile across multiple investments and disciplines. We may also explore short-term adjustments to take advantage of opportunities created by temporary market distortions.
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    Step 3: Actions Items/Next steps
    We will help you coordinate strategies with other financial professionals if needed (Attorneys, Accountants, etc.) and established time lines/due dates as needed. We will enroll you on Morgan Stanley's digital tools to provide convenient access to your accounts and other important information.
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    Step 4: Implementation
    After extensive due diligence and analysis of expected results across a range of market scenarios, investment strategies from our Global Investment platform can be leveraged to create your portfolio. This process aims to facilitate a more efficient balance of risk and return for your specific strategy.
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    Step 5: Assessment and Adjustments
    We will conduct ongoing reviews and comprehensive reporting to help ensure that your strategy adapts to changing needs. We insist on maintaining a consistent level of communication to make sure your concerns and requests are always addressed in a timely manner.

Addressing the needs of a family

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    Trust & Estate Planning
    Often the hardest part of estate planning is just starting the conversation. Our group will help you and your family open these lines of communication to facilitate your ability to preserve and transfer wealth.
    Trust & Estate Planning Overview
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    Family Governance & Dynamics
    For many high net worth clients, running a family business, operating a family office or simply investing as a family can present daunting challenges with a mix of issues. It is critical to develop a cohesive and thorough framework that helps you make decisions as a family.
    Family Governance & Dynamics
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    Philanthropic Planning
    Many selfless individuals begin their philanthropic journeys by defining their personal passions and objectives. However, implementing a strategy can become challenging when there are multiple worthy causes close to your heart.
    Donor Advised Funds
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    Signature Access
    Signature Access provides Lifestyle Advisory services for the most affluent families. We will help connect you with carefully vetted, experienced professionals who can provide an extensive variety of services to help you contain costs, mitigate risks and enhance your overall enjoyment of life.
    The Lifestyle Advisory Offering

Unique Wealth Management Products

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    Private Equity
    Unlike the stocks of publicly owned companies, private equity is not subject to day-to-day market fluctuations. As a result, private equity managers can invest the capital that you provide with a longer-term time frame that offers the potential to ride out difficult markets, build revenues and exit the investment via strategic sale or initial public offering at a more advantageous time.
    5.00% Annual Percentage Yield Preferred Savings
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    1031 Exchanges
    While real estate investing offers many benefits, appreciated commercial property can also present investors with difficult choices when selling implies a large capital-gains tax bill. Knowing how to invest in a tax-efficient manner can have a significant impact on the value of those benefits, and 1031 exchanges are one of the most tax-efficient investment vehicles available to real estate investors.
    1031 Exchanges Overview
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    Private Credit
    Private Credit strategies can either originate loans to non-investment grade middle market businesses or purchase existing broadly syndicated loans in the secondary market. The main strategies that fall into the private credit space include direct lending, structured credit and distressed investing.
    3 Investing Themes for the Next Bull Market
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    Exchange Funds
    An exchange fund is a special-purpose vehicle that offers holders the ability to diversify their investments by exchanging stock positions, oftentimes in highly appreciated or restricted stock, for shares of a diversified portfolio. Each exchange fund is established with specific investment goals, such as long-term growth and to outperform or match the returns of the overall market.
    What to Do If You Are Off Track on Your Goals

Keeping You Engaged

Your financial education leads to better insights into our investment strategy and discipline, and ultimately, better long-term decisions throughout your wealth management journey. Our team is committed to providing you with important information about managing your wealth in today's fast pace environment.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a variety of digital features that help you keep track of your finances. They include mobile check deposit, paying your bills online, sending money through Zelle®, and accessing current market data, research, company profiles and quotes.
    Morgan Stanley Online
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    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
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    Total Wealth View
    Total Wealth View
    It’s hard to see the complete picture with only half of the details. As a Morgan Stanley client, you can now conveniently view your accounts from other financial institutions in one location to give you and your financial advisor a full picture of your financial wealth and health. Log into Morgan Stanley Online or download the Morgan Stanley Mobile App to link and add external accounts.
    Total Wealth View
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    The Morgan Stanley Minute
    Explore our 1-minute investment insights videos in this on-going series from our firm’s leading thinkers. Discover current investment trends and topics like green bonds, active investment, monetizing small businesses, cybercrime and more
    Watch On-Demand

Location

227 West Monroe St.,Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60606
US
Direct:
(312) 648-3600(312) 648-3600
Toll-Free:
(800) 621-5231(800) 621-5231

Meet The DHC Group

About Derek S Chatterton

Derek takes a hands on approach in working with each client to create and execute personalized financial plans. He focuses on helping affluent clients manage the complexities of wealth through financial planning, asset allocation, and manager selection. His knowledge of investments comes from 17 years of experience with estate planning, philanthropy, and portfolio management. He graduated from the University of Kansas and is a Chartered Financial Consultant. Derek spent 10+ years at JPMorgan Private Client Group working with Ultra High Net Worth Families to create, execute and coordinate complex wealth plans. He is a Family Wealth Director at Morgan Stanley, a designation held by approximately only 4% of the firm's financial advisors.
Securities Agent: NY, HI, WA, OR, NV, NE, MA, SC, MO, MN, GA, AR, IN, ID, NJ, MD, DE, DC, CA, PA, OH, IA, FL, CT, KS, WI, RI, OK, MT, LA, CO, KY, ME, WY, UT, TX, TN, IL, VA, PR, NM, NC, AZ, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1272817

About Douglas S Hunnicutt

Douglas brings 21 years of experience to the DHC Group and concentrates on fixed-income investing to help affluent individuals address their cash flow needs.  He also is responsible for building and monitoring discretionary portfolios as the lead portfolio manager for the DHC Group Managed portfolio. Doug is a Charted Financial Analyst (CFA) as well as a Senior Partner in the DHC Group .  He earned a Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from DePaul University in Chicago and a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Iowa State University with a major in Finance and a minor in Economics.
Securities Agent: WY, CO, WI, TX, SC, NJ, IL, IA, CT, UT, OR, NY, NV, MD, CA, PA, OK, NM, IN, FL, VA, RI, OH, MT, ME, AR, TN, NC, DE, AZ, MN, ID, GA, PR, NE, DC, WA, MO, LA, HI, MI, MA, KY, KS; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1252952

About Christian Finley

Christian joined the team in 2018 as a Financial Advisor. He received his B.S. from DePaul University and has his Series 7 and 66 Licenses.
Securities Agent: IN, VA, UT, RI, PR, NV, NM, MN, WI, LA, DE, CO, FL, MT, OR, OH, HI, MD, NJ, CT, ID, AZ, TN, IL, IA, GA, DC, SC, PA, KS, TX, NY, NE, MO, MI, ME, MA, CA, WA, OK, NC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1842861

About Mike Harenberg

Mike has been with the team since 2016 as the team's analyst and head trader. He has been a Registered Associate at Morgan Stanley since 2008. He has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Florida and has his series 3, 7, and 66 licenses.

About Sharon Maloney

Sharon joined the DHC Group in 2015, and brings 30 years of financial industry experience to the team. She has her Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses.
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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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 DHC Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
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.

1Alternative 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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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.

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3Municipal 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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4Morgan 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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5Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.

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6Morgan 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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7Morgan 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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8The 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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9Morgan 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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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)