Personalizing Family Wealth Management

At The Dowell Group at Morgan Stanley, we measure our success by the quality and strength of our relationships and by our ability to truly listen to your story, so we may guide you towards the achievement of your personal and professional financial goals.

We believe every client has a unique financial thumbprint. We pride ourselves on understanding the qualities and circumstances that make your thumbprint so distinct. We then create a custom plan that is tailored to meet your specific needs now and as your life evolves.

We use our ability to fully leverage the resources, technology and intellectual capital of Morgan Stanley to diagnose and address the financial challenges you and other professionals (CPA, Lawyer, Board, C-Suite, etc.) you work with face.

Having been part of Morgan Stanley’s history for more than 35 years, we have cultivated deep relationships with the firm’s top analysts and researchers in the areas of investment management, capital preservation, family governance and wealth education, estate planning and philanthropic management. We enjoy bringing these resources directly to you, helping ensure the best professionals are working on your behalf.

With more than $1.8 billion in assets under management (As of June 30, 2019. Includes $314 million not in custody at Morgan Stanley.), we are proud of the personalized service we provide each client and welcome the opportunity to deliver the same level of excellence to you and your family now and for generations to come.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams

Forbes America's Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/21 – 3/31/22.

WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.

    Equity Solutions

    Equity ownership is a powerful motivator. Streamline equity management through our leading-edge technology and provide global audit-ready reporting and insights, alongside customizable participant experiences to engage and educate your employees on how to make the most of their benefits. Our global solutions support private and public companies at any stage of growth.

    • Equity Administration and Financial Reporting
    • Liquidity Events
    • 409A Valuation Services and Cap Table Management

    Learn more
    Retirement

    For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future—it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools. Through our consultative process, we strive to assist with the management of your fiduciary responsibilities and risk, simplify plan management, and help you improve retirement readiness for your employees.

    • Defined Contribution Consulting
    • Solutions-Oriented Plans
    • Fiduciary Investment Oversight

    Learn more
    Deferred Compensation

    Access a range of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan services or pick the ones that best fit your needs. We provide recordkeeping and plan design, portfolio construction services, and plan education for your executive talent. We help you determine the appropriate plan design and inform a funding strategy through a needs-based assessment and consultative approach.

    Services include:

    • Recordkeeping and Plan Design
    • Portfolio Construction
    • Wealth Management Services
    Learn more
    Executive Services

    Our dedicated team provides concierge-level support for your executives' equity compensation plans, from 10b5-1 trading plans to form filing related to Rule 144 transactions, to access to wealth management and tax-optimization strategies, so helping them navigate their complex financial needs with greater confidence and certainty:

    • Equity Compensation Services
    • Equity Award Analysis
    • Specialized Solutions
    Learn more
    Saving and Giving

    Saving and Giving benefits can make a real difference in your employees' lives as they can support the things that matter most to them—like saving for education and repaying student loans. Show that you are committed to your employees' priorities with leading-edge solutions that help them chart a path toward financial well-being.

    • College Savings
    • Student Loan Repayment and Refinancing
    • Charitable Giving
    Learn more
    Financial Wellness

    We offer Financial Wellness with every solution we provide. Through a powerful combination of education, digital tools and guidance, Financial Wellness is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and empower their financial journey at every stage. Give your employees the confidence to take charge of their finances.

    • Financial Education
    • Digital Tools
    • Financial Guidance

    Learn more

Location

1018 Highland Colony Pkwy
Ste 105
Ridgeland, MS 39157
US
Direct:
(601) 790-3293(601) 790-3293
Toll-Free:
(800) 321-6426(800) 321-6426

Meet The Dowell Group

About Melanie Dowell

Melanie Dowell is an Executive Director and founding partner of The Dowell Group. Melanie has been a financial advisor since 1980 and as a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor since 1988. This tenure enables Melanie to build deep relationships with the Firm’s senior leaders and enjoy immediate access to the Firm’s global resources. Melanie is both mother and business partner to two of her sons, Walker and Preston. Together with their dedicated team, they provide financial advice through a disciplined risk and goals-based process.

Melanie grew up in Jackson and holds a B.B.A. in Public Administration with an emphasis in Economics from the University of Mississippi. She began her career in 1980 with Merrill Lynch, where she first met her late husband, Mike Dowell. The two worked alongside each other, until Mike retired in 2019. Throughout their careers, they built a strong and dynamic practice, earning national recognition from Forbes and Barron’s.

A strong believer in helping state and local causes, Melanie actively volunteers with a number of organizations. Melanie has three grown sons and six grandchildren. She is passionate about all things Ole Miss and likes to fish. Melanie truly loves Mississippi and taking part in all the great things her home state has to offer.


Awards:
2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
2023 Forbes Best-In-State Women Advisors
2023 Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors Ranking
2022 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State Ranking

2023-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award. Awards Disclosures: https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/

2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/21 – 6/30/22.

2022-2023 Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In- State (formerly referred to as Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors, Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2023 Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State
Source: Barron’s.com (Awarded Mar 2023) Data compiled by Barron’s based on time period from Sept 2021 – Sept 2022.
Securities Agent: NV, MS, TX, OK, WA, CO, DC, VA, FL, LA, KY, NC, IL, OH, NY, DE, CA, AR, TN, SD, SC, MI, GA, CT, AL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1282743

About Preston Dowell

Preston Dowell has dedicated his career to serving the investment needs of families, business owners, foundations, endowments, and government entities across the Southeast. He enjoys partnering with his mother, Melanie, and brother, Walker, in overseeing their practice. Together, they work closely to address their clients’ financial challenges, delivering thoughtful and objective advice to help achieve each client’s investment goals. He comes to work every day focused on helping the people in his community, always striving to make a significant impact on the quality of their lives.

Preston began his career in financial services after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in managerial finance. In 2011, he started as a sole practitioner Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, working down the hall from his parents’ practice. At first, there was little overlap in the clients they each served, but over time, they enjoyed more and more joint projects, making the decision to join practices in 2014 an easy one. Preston is responsible for the discovery, portfolio creation, client-facing portfolio review and monitoring of each client’s customized portfolio. He brings this knowledge and experience to the clients of The Dowell Group, delivering comprehensive strategies designed to help clients grow and preserve their assets.

Preston is happily married to Betsy Dowell of Brandon. They live in Ridgeland, MS where they raise their two sons, Michael and Patton Dowell.

2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
2023 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (#1 Mississippi)
2022 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen
Wealth Advisors Best-In-State

2023-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award. Awards Disclosures: https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/

2022-2023 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.
Securities Agent: WA, MS, MI, LA, KY, IL, GA, FL, DE, DC, CT, CO, CA, NC, NV, NY, AR, OH, OK, SC, SD, AL, TN, TX, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures

About Walker Dowell

Walker Dowell works alongside his mother, Melanie, and brother, Preston, in managing their family wealth management practice which he joined in 2017. Together, they enjoy working with financially successful individuals and families as well as foundations, government entities and corporations. Walker’s experience, knowledge and careful listening enable him to help clients develop a customized investment portfolio designed to address their unique goals and circumstances.

Walker graduated Summa Cum Laude, was the Taylor Medalist in Finance and Class Marshall of the University of Mississippi Business School. He also studied accounting and mathematics. He began his career as an intern at Macquarie Capital in New York City, gaining valuable experience in financial modeling, and international markets. He moved to Little Rock, Arkansas for an investment banking position with Stephens Inc. At Stephens Inc., Walker worked with the Firm’s M&A team and private equity arm, performing duties that included the analysis, evaluation and execution of numerous large-scale transactions, totaling over $10 billion in mergers and acquisitions during his tenure.

Walker is an active member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and involved with the children’s ministry and various community outreach programs. He enjoys traveling, all things Mississippi and participating in any pickup sport.


2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
2024 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State (#2 Mississippi)
2023 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (#2 Mississippi)

2023-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award. Awards Disclosures: https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/

2023-2024 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.
Securities Agent: SC, OK, NV, GA, CO, AL, TN, CA, LA, DE, WA, SD, OH, MI, KY, FL, AR, VA, NY, MD, NC, MA, CT, TX, MS, IL, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2406117

About Jennifer Walley

Securities Agent: NC, IL, SC, NY, ME, TX, TN, OH, LA, DC, CA, SD, NV, MI, CT, CO, VA, MS, FL, AR, AL, OK, GA, WA, KY, DE; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1683712

About Brandi Carr

Primary responsibilities:
• Oversees and monitors the operational
checklist for the group
• Report and proposal generation
• Order and trade execution
• Certain client facing requests
Brandi graduated from Jackson State
University with a bachelor and a
master of business administration. She
has over 10 years of experience in the
financial services industry. She resides
in Gluckstadt, MS with her husband and
two daughters. Her interests include yoga,
movies and music, especially the sounds
of the Sonic Boom of the South.

About Sandra Peeples

Primary responsibilities:
• Money movement activities, including
wires, deposits, transfers, withdrawals
and check writing
• Help with taxation, such as RMD
monitoring and tax documentation
• Administrative support
Sandra received her bachelor’s degree
in accounting from Mississippi College
where she also received an MBA
(concentration in accounting) from
Mississippi College. She has been with
The Dowell Group since 2013. When
away from the office, she enjoys reading
and traveling.

About Taylor Davis

Primary responsibilities:
• First point of contact for most
client inquiries
• Project management
• Schedule management for team
• Client paperwork and reporting
• Marketing assistance
Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in
communications/public relations from
Mississippi State University. She has
been with The Dowell Group since 2018.
She resides in Gluckstadt with her
husband, Jesse and daughter, Hayes.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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Equity Compensation

Helping you make the most of your equity awards and better understand how it may fit into your your larger financial picture – today and tomorrow.

  • Vesting events
  • Option expirations
  • Restricted stock units
  • Tax implications

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
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

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.

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 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration
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2025 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration

Global growth is likely to slow in 2025 and 2026 as the shock of higher U.S. tariffs crimps demand around the world.

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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

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 Dowell Group today.
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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.
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.

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

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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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3Morgan 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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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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5When 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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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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7Alternative 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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8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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9Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
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.

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10Morgan 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.

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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)