The Flagler Group at Morgan Stanley

Our team is exclusively focused on the needs of multi-generational families and private business owners. Our mission is to empower our clients to make essential planning and financial decisions with clarity and confidence. This requires a deep understanding of how their personal and professional aspirations intersect with their financial lives. Our team combines our diverse experiences and professional focus to uncover risks and opportunities both within and beyond their investment portfolio.

Our clients come from diverse backgrounds across the country. They prioritize efficiency and execution knowing time is their most valuable asset. They are aware of the impact they have on their family and community. They look to the path ahead to secure a legacy for multiple generations. They have unique wealth creation stories that have led them to this point and recognize the value of a relationship to help protect and grow their business and overall wealth.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
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Discovery Process
Investing the time to learn about you and your family; your assets and liabilities and the risk exposures, enables us to formulate strategies and customize the relationship to your needs.
Formulation of Tax, Trust and Estate Strategy
Working with your tax and legal advisors, we help analyze your income and estate tax circumstances to identify and tailor planning techniques that may be used to address your objectives.
Creation of Customized Strategic Asset Allocation
Your customized asset allocation reflects risk, opportunities and taxation across multiple entities, while integrating your investing and estate plans.
Integration of Tactical Asset Allocation
Short-term adjustments seek to capitalize on temporary market distortions. Before making adjustments, we analyze the impact of taxes and trading costs on potential returns.
Implementation of a Customized Wealth Strategy
After comprehensive due diligence and analysis of expected results across multiple market scenarios, strategies are chosen from our expansive investment platform.
Ongoing Assessment
In coordination with your other advisors, we can conduct ongoing reviews and comprehensive reporting to ensure that your strategy adapts to changing financial and family needs.

Modern Wealth Tools

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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online is the foundation of our modern wealth client experience. Our digital capabilities online and on the Morgan Stanley Mobile App allow you to stay informed about your investments and manage your everyday finances while providing protection for your account with our encryption and fraud prevention technology.
    Morgan Stanley Online
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    Total Wealth View
    Through Morgan Stanley Online, you can view your Morgan Stanley accounts and those from other financial institutions all in one secure place. This gives a better view of your complete financial picture and helps to better track your goals and plan for the future.
    Total Wealth View
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    eSign
    eSign allows you to simply and easily sign account opening and transaction forms electronically. It is completely digital, so your personal information never has to be printed or emailed, making it more secure than traditional methods like email, paper, or fax. Once you receive an email from "Morgan Stanley via DocuSign," you simply follow the instructions and sign your documents.
    eSign
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    eAuthorizations
    With eAuthorizations, you can electronically authorize domestic and international, one-time/recurring transactions through Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App within minutes.

    eAuthorizations leverages multiple strong factors of authentication to confirm your identity, which significantly mitigates security risks.
    eAuthorizations
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    Data Security
    At Morgan Stanley, our highest priority is keeping your information protected. Morgan Stanley dedicates significant resources to protecting your assets and personal information.

    - Encryption protocols designed to protect your data.
    - Continuous monitoring to help detect and prevent fraud.
    - Routine testing of our systems and security protocols.
    - Independent review by outside security firms.
    Data Security Measures
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    LifeView Financial Goal Analysis
    Leveraging our LifeView Goal Analysis tool, we can work with you to create a personalized wealth strategy. Over time, we will adapt it to changing circumstances, helping you achieve your goals and protect what is meaningful to you.
    LifeView Goal Analysis: Sample Client Profile

OUR CAPABILITIES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

As an entrepreneur or business owner, you know the value of hard work and your time is at a premium. You've invested years- or perhaps decades- into your enterprise, and your personal wealth is intertwined with your company. Whether you are focused on accelerating your growth, preparing to transition or exit, or somewhere in between, we are intimately familiar with the complexities and considerations of your situation.

Through four decades of service to business owners and their multi-generational families, we have learned that there is no substitute for thoughtful and proactive advice. This starts with a comprehensive plan encompassing every facet of your life, your business and your family. From there, we are able to leverage the resources of a global firm to coordinate solutions for nearly every area of your life and business, in concert with your other professional advisors.
1: Forming a Business / Angel Round
As your Financial Advisors, we view our role as the quarterback of your advisory team, helping you to coordinate a cohesive group of professionals encompassing legal, tax/accounting, and investment banking advice. A coordinated and responsive team will allow you to focus on the business while providing guidance to help you maximize your personal and entrepreneurial potential.
2: Early Stage / Series AB Rounds
The early stage of a company’s growth phase is a productive time for you to conduct in-depth estate planning. In our experience, the demands of growing a business often relegate an estate plan to the back burner until an impending exit or untimely passing. Performing planning in the early stages can help to mitigate risk, maximize tax efficiency, and secure the future of both your family and your business.
3: Mid and Late Stage / Series CD Rounds
As your business matures, the resources of Morgan Stanley prove valuable in helping you raise debt or equity for growth, establish corporate retirement and financial wellness plans, update your personal and business insurance lines as appropriate, introduce philanthropic initiatives, and more. At this point, more in depth business and estate planning is warranted, along with a valuation of the business. With the rest of your advisory team, we can help you assess growth drivers and weigh exit planning options as desired.
4: Preparing For a Liquidity Event
It is important to consider and implement income tax and wealth transfer strategies prior to a potential liquidity event. In addition to strategic tax planning, a liquidity event often raises greater issues for you: fundamental questions regarding family goals or “mission,” wealth stewardship and your next step either into retirement or a new venture.
5: Post Liquidity Planning
The post liquidity stage brings various considerations such as continuing to build out a family “mission statement,” family governance and wealth education, philanthropic planning, and lifestyle advisory. Should the company now be public, the conversation centers around liquidity planning and programs for the exercise of stock.

Resources From The Team

Revocable Trusts: Avoiding Probate and Streamlining Your Estate
Estate tax planning is a common topic of conversation with clients, but often that planning has less to do with estate taxes and more to do with the ease of transferring assets after someone passes away.
Read Article
Taking Advantage of Favorable Estate Tax Laws: Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts
A SLAT is an estate planning tool that is straightforward in its implementation and ongoing administration. Consider talking to your financial advisor about layering a SLAT into your own planning to take advantage of the current exemption level.
Read Article
Why a Durable Power of Attorney May Be One of Your Most Important Documents
Just as aging is inevitable, so is change and it is critical to review your documents both on a regular basis and whenever circumstances in your life shift. That means ensuring you revisit not only your will, but also your durable power of attorney.
Read Article
Protecting Your Legacy: Ensuring Your Charitable Intentions Are Honored Under Your Estate Plan
For those who are philanthropically minded, one area of estate planning that requires vigilance is the designation of charitable organizations as beneficiaries.
Read Article
Leading and Coincident Indicators
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Location

777 S Flagler Drive
Suite 700E
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
US
Direct:
(561) 650-7500(561) 650-7500
Toll-Free:
(800) 327-6322(800) 327-6322

Meet The Flagler Group

About Michael Aronson

Mike is the Head of the Flagler Group at Morgan Stanley. His financial curiosity and dedication to mentorship have motivated him to guide families throughout their financial lives for over 25 years. He leads our team in expanding our understanding of each of our clients, looking for risks and opportunities, even beyond their investment portfolios. Mike also drives the team’s investment philosophy and viewpoint as well as how both are expressed in each client’s portfolio.

Mike joined Morgan Stanley (and its predecessor firms) in 2003 from J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New York, where he had started his wealth management career in 1997. Prior to that, Mike was a Certified Public Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand from 1993 to 1996. His prior tax knowledge, in addition to his experience as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and Certified Investment Management Analyst®, help him drive tax efficient solutions for his clients and collaborate effectively with his clients’ accountants, attorneys and other advisors.

Mike graduated from the Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and received his MBA from Michigan Business School (now Stephen M. Ross School of Business) in Ann Arbor in 1998. He was raised in Framingham, MA, and moved from Manhattan (after 15 years of cold winters) to Palm Beach County in 2013 with his wife Katrina, daughter Zoe and son Drew. His family is everything to him. Mike and his wife are raising their children the same way they were raised – among many things, being respectful of and helpful to others, placing a high priority on education and continual self-improvement, working hard and understanding the value of a dollar.

Mike is on the Board of Trustees for the Jewish Community Foundation of Palm Beach County. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County. He is an avid tennis player and a struggling golfer. Mike and his family have 2 beautiful dogs, Maddy and Max, that they adopted from a local shelter.
Securities Agent: FL, AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY, RI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1265012
CA Insurance License #: 0E29475

About Jeffrey Pietrzak

Jeff leads The Flagler Group’s investment management process.  He attributes his current role and past successes to his ability to think critically and adapt to new information and environments. Jeff constructs and implements portfolios customized for each client as well as oversees team-managed portfolios for specific strategies.  Jeff helps set the team's overall investment philosophy, monitor financial markets and communicate changes with clients.
 
Jeff’s investment background is well suited for The Flagler Group at Morgan Stanley.  In a prior role at the firm , Jeff managed the Southeast Region for the Morgan Stanley investment advisory arm which currently manages over $1 trillion in client assets (as of Q4 2019).  In this role, Jeff advised Morgan Stanley Wealth Advisors and their clients on asset allocation, strategy research and portfolio implementation. Furthermore, Jeff has earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation through the Wharton School’s CIMA Certification Program, demonstrating proficiency in investment management consulting and wealth advisory.
 
Jeff joined Morgan Stanley (and its predecessor firms) during 2006 in Philadelphia, PA. He worked with Morgan Stanley while attending the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.  Jeff was born and raised in the Philadelphia area by a family of engineers and builders who instilled in him an affinity for finding efficient solutions to complex situations.
 
He and his wife, Hillary, reside with their two dogs in West Palm Beach, FL. They enjoy cooking and spending time on the water with friends and family.
Securities Agent: WV, WI, VT, TX, TN, SC, OR, OH, NY, NM, NJ, NH, NC, MO, MN, MI, ME, MD, MA, IN, IL, ID, GA, FL, DE, DC, CT, NV, CO, CA, AZ, PA, AL, AK, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1595006

About Mark Taylor

Mark is a Family Wealth Director with the Flagler Group, overseeing the relationships of accomplished families he's proud to call clients.

His skilled focus in working with entrepreneurs and business owners in particular can be traced to the prior successful corporate benefits business he created with his 3 partners (a CPA, a Trust & Estates attorney and an Enrolled Actuary) in 1983.
 
Mark was at the forefront of the retirement plan revolution, living and breathing every aspect of this business until he sold his interest in 1993. His intimate knowledge of the intersection of an entrepreneur’s business and personal financial plans comes from the years of hard work in growing this company from scratch.

Mark's parents came from Depression-era roots and instilled in Mark the importance of hard work and gratitude. His father taught him to measure twice and cut once, and his mother taught him the importance of a sense of humor.
Mark appreciates the great things the world has to offer, including music, travel and cooking, to name a few.

The biggest gift his wife Lynn and he have given their 4 children is a great education.  Harrison, Tucker, Palmer and Ellery have all graduated from some of America’s top universities.  They are very proud and fortunate to have been able to provide this for their kids.

Mark and his family also value the opportunity to be philanthropic.  Their family foundation is engaged actively in making contributions to organizations that focus on education, music, healthcare and environmental sustainability.
Securities Agent: NH, AK, VA, WY, CT, VT, NY, WI, NM, PA, TX, MI, SC, TN, OR, MD, DC, HI, ID, NV, IN, MN, NC, OH, MA, FL, AL, DE, AZ, GA, MO, NJ, IL, CO, CA, ME; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1305280

About Amber Bautz

Amber leads our team's Family Wealth Education effort. Her experience and expertise as a former teacher coupled with her enthusiasm for financial literacy gives Amber a unique opportunity to help our clients' children of all ages to learn about and engage with the financial world.

In addition to advising families and their children, Amber dedicates a portion of her practice to working with individuals that are contemplating or going through a divorce. Amber helps these individuals determine the short-term and long-term financial impact of a proposed divorce settlement as well as how to avoid common financial pitfalls that may occur throughout this process. 

Amber joined Morgan Stanley in 2010 following her career as an educator. Prior to that, Amber obtained a Master's Degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University after she graduated from the University of Kentucky where she played collegiate soccer. Playing on a nationally competitive, high caliber team taught Amber the value in helping her team members grow and improve. Amber brings this mindset to the Flagler Group and our mission with clients.

Amber is originally from Eden, North Carolina but spent much of her childhood outside of Cincinnati, OH before moving to South Florida. Currently, Amber and her husband, Matt, reside in Lake Worth, Florida with their twins Bethanny and Jacob. They enjoy golfing, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.

Amber is a member of the Special Olympics of Palm Beach County Executive Management Team and a member of the board of directors for Healthy Mother’s Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County.

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.
Securities Agent: AK, SC, FL, ID, AZ, DE, NE, MO, GA, ME, NJ, NV, MA, NY, VA, VT, IL, TX, PA, CA, WI, OR, TN, OH, IN, MD, MI, MN, NC, AL, CT, CO, DC, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1268388
CA Insurance License #: 0I13024

About Adam Gillam

Adam is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor with The Flagler Group at Morgan Stanley. Adam’s passion for the Financial Services Industry began at the young age of ten when he visited the floor of the New York Stock Exchange with his family. Family drives everything Adam does, and he understands that his clients share the same values. He works closely with family offices and successful entrepreneurs (primarily in commercial real estate), to identify their objectives and create strategic plans designed to grow and preserve their wealth for current and future generations.

Adam joined Morgan Stanley in 2020 from Citi Private Bank where he was a lead private banker, specializing in managing the complex needs of high net worth families, advising them on all aspects of their wealth management strategy including investments, capital markets, real estate, credit, and cash management. Adam began his career in finance in institutional fixed income trading and equities at Lehman Brothers in New York in 2001. In 2010, Adam joined JPMorgan Private Bank in Miami (and later Palm Beach) where he pivoted his career to focus on wealth management for high net worth families.

Born in Boston, and raised in Maine, Adam’s family relocated to Florida in 1992. Adam graduated from the University of Florida in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and earned his MBA from UF’s Hough Graduate School of Business in 2010.

Adam’s parents instilled in him that volunteering and philanthropy are central to being a good member of the community. He donates his time to local causes such as Feeding Palm Beach County, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Heart Association.

Adam lives in Jupiter, FL with his wife Dina, daughters Sophia and Stella, son Teddy, and dog Wally. Adam cherishes his family and prioritizes spending time with his children. He encourages them to work hard and explore the things in life that give them joy. Adam is a passionate sports fan especially when it comes to his Florida Gators and the Boston Red Sox. He enjoys skiing, fishing and playing golf.
Securities Agent: CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY, CT, AL, AK, AZ, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 821350

About Alex Kaufmann

Alex delivers an exceptional level of service to our clients, assisting with all of their requests and needs. Alex's priority is making sure our clients are happy with their experience at Morgan Stanley. Raised by industry professionals, he understood early in life the difference a dedicated and proactive service team can make.

Alex began his career with Morgan Stanley in 2020 after graduating from Elmhurst University with Bachelor's Degrees in Economics & Finance. He joined the Flagler Group at Morgan Stanley in 2022 as a Registered Client Service Associate and holds the Series 7 and 66 licenses.

Alex resides in downtown West Palm Beach. He enjoys athletic training and taking his dog, Trooper, for walks on the beach. He is also an avid sports fan supporting his Chicago Bulls, and Bears, but he can’t always take the heartbreak.

About Mariolia Kozubovska

As a Wealth Management Associate, Mariolia is critical to the execution of our clients’ wealth plans. She thrives on connecting with and catering to the needs of a diverse range of clients.

Mariolia’s extensive experience is derived from previous roles at Barclays in London, UK and Stifel. In those roles she delivered tailored solutions for ultra-high net worth families and global family offices across multiple jurisdictions, including North America, Switzerland, Ireland, Monaco, and the Channel Islands.

She has a passion for learning and teaching. Her education has included a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Edinburgh, an MSc in Economics from University College London, and a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Glasgow (including time at NYU and UC Berkeley as a visiting scholar). She also lectured in economics at business schools in the UK and Hong Kong.

In 2022, Mariolia relocated to Palm Beach County with her husband Steven and their beloved Maltese, Maf. In her free time, she enjoys chess, ballroom dancing, and walking with her furry friend on the beach. These activities allow her to unwind, recharge, and foster a deep appreciation for nature, reinforcing her commitment to conservation and environmental protection.

Mariolia holds the Series 7 & 66 licenses and is proficient in four European languages.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Flagler 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 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 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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3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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4Morgan Stanley’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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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)