Our Story

Family is a single word that encompasses many things. It is the reason we wake up every morning, work hard, and make sacrifices along the way so that succeeding generations can live a fulfilling life. We understand that no two families are alike. You may face a broader and more complex set of wealth management challenges compared to some, which is why you need the right team on your side.

At the Kronner Smihal Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, we have the extensive experience, specialized training and the resources necessary to help you and your family address these needs. We work with a limited number of families so we can deliver the customized solutions and personalized service our clients expect. We liken our role to a “financial concierge” service, assisting with all financial decisions. We help you create and implement a comprehensive wealth management plan based on your unique goals and aspirations. Beyond wealth management we have the capabilities to assist with family governance, wealth education, succession planning, estate planning strategies, philanthropic management, insurance, and cash management and lending services. At the end of the day, we want the families and individuals that we work with to rest easy at night knowing that all of their hard work will pass on to future generations.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
The Principles of Our Team
  • We work with a select group of families: time for you
  • We use a rigorous, repeatable investment process: objectivity, smart decisions
  • We provide advice on every financial decision: we want to be your first call any time money is involved
  • We use technology to keep things simple: financial plans make it easy to see where you stand
  • We have a diverse set of skills: a holistic approach to your wealth
  • Nothing is more important than integrity: a majority of our clients come from referrals

RESOURCES TO HELP OUR CLIENTS PREPARE

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    2025 Tax Tables
    For help preparing for your 2025 taxes, view the tax tables below.
    Access Them Here
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    2024 Tax Tables
    For help preparing for your 2024 taxes, view the tax tables below.
    Access Them Here
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    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    Morgan Stanley's Spending and Budgeting tool can help you understand your spending and find more ways to save.
    Read More About Our Tool
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    Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365
    A brochure providing a broad range of ideas to help you save on taxes and keep more of what you earn.
    Click Here To Read

A Plan Unique To You

The Kronner-Smihal Wealth Management Group wealth management process begins with you, your investment objectives and your financial goals. Holistic in its approach, it may encompass all the elements of your financial life - your investments and your cash management needs - assisting in helping them align 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 Kronner-Smihal Wealth Management Group can help you take charge of your financial future an 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 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 (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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    Aladdin - 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 Here

January: Financial Wellness Month

With the start of 2025, it's important to slow down, pay closer attention to your financial wellbeing, and prepare your finances for the new year and your lives as a whole. We invite you to read about the services we offer, a new one being highlighted every month, and reach out to us to get one step closer to your financial goals.
Learn More About Our Financial Wellness Strategies
With The Kronner Smihal Wealth Management Group, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve lasting financial well-being, especially during Financial Wellness Month! Whether you’re just starting out fresh in 2025 or looking to potentially optimize your current your plan, our team of experienced financial advisors are here to help guide you every step of the way! This month, take the opportunity to assess your financial health and create a clear path to your financial goals. From budgeting and saving to retirement planning and investment management, we’ll work with you to identify areas for improvement, help build your confidence in your financial decisions, and help ensure you feel empowered in achieving your short- and long-term objectives.

Location

130 Kercheval Avenue
Grosse Pointe, MI 48236
US
Direct:
(313) 642-5921(313) 642-5921
Toll-Free:
(800) 521-3865(800) 521-3865
Fax:
(313) 343-8475(313) 343-8475

Meet The Kronner Smihal Wealth Management Group

About John M Kronner

John is the team’s Family Wealth Director. Less than 3% of Morgan Stanley advisors earn this designation as of August 2017. He specializes in providing high net worth families with a holistic wealth management plan covering portfolio management, lifestyle services, family governance, philanthropy management, and business succession planning.

John is also the team's primary portfolio manager, implementing asset allocation strategies for our clients by concentrating on tactical and strategic asset management. He uses a specifically designed "bucket system" to align a client's objective with an effective asset allocation strategy.

John leverages over 34 years of experience in financial services to consider investment vehicles from traditional stocks and mutual funds to Structured Investments, annuities, REITs, and alternative strategies. In 1980, he initiated the co-op program between Merrill Lynch and the University of Detroit. He joined the firm in operations and accounting, holding virtually every position in the office. He was recruited to join one of the first investment teams in the firm. In 2006, John formed his present team in Grosse Pointe, their hometown.

John is a graduate of the University of Detroit, where he earned a B.A. in finance.

John and his wife, Jane, have two married daughters, a son who is a Financial Advisor on the team and three grandchildren. He is a member of Grosse Pointe Rotary and is active with other local charities and organizations. He is an active member and avid golfer at the Country Club of Detroit.

An investment in Structured Investments is subject to significant risks and may not be suitable for all investors. 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 of the issuer; and, conflicts of interest.
Securities Agent: OH, MO, KY, CO, AZ, MD, WI, DE, CA, UT, IL, GA, FL, WA, NH, LA, VA, NC, DC, TX, NY, MI, SC, NV; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1273054

About Stephen N. Smihal

As a Family Wealth Advisor, Steve brings a distinct and highly engaging perspective to all members of your family tree. His goals-based approach incorporates milestones such as marriage, children and grandchildren, building and selling a business, and retirement.

Steve concentrates on helping clients simplify their financial lives and reach their goals which often include:
-Developing a comprehensive financial plan
-Aligning investment portfolios to those short-term and long-term goals
-Understanding portfolio risk
-Implementing wealth-preservation strategies. He is dedicated to serving the needs of clients and their families in a thoughtful and meticulous manner to help build, manage, and protect wealth at every stage in life.

Maintaining a balanced life is essential for a healthy & wealthy lifestyle. Steve, his wife Jessica and two children live in Grosse Pointe. He is an avid squash player at the Detroit Athletic Club and enjoys running and skiing. Steve has been in the financial services industry since 1999 and has spent his entire career with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Securities Agent: IL, AZ, NH, UT, NM, WI, OH, NV, MO, VA, SC, MD, LA, CA, WA, NC, DC, FL, TN, NY, KY, TX, MT, CO, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1272790

About Jack Kronner

Jack is the team’s investment analyst, working with John and Steve to create portfolios for the families that we work with. We create our all-star team of Funds, ETFs, and Alternative Investments by analyzing areas such as company culture, track record, and observing if they have a consistent & repeatable process. This due diligence allows our clients the ability to reach their goals. He also is a Financial Planning Specialist and utilizes Morgan Stanley’s Goals Planning System and LifeView platforms so clients are able to see if they are on track to reach their goals.

Jack also organizes marketing and client events for the team. The events allow our clients the opportunity to meet with and direct questions to investment Portfolio Managers and Directors, learn how we analyze the markets and economy, and provide additional value added events such as understanding social security and healthcare.

Jack graduated from Albion College in 2012 with a B.A. in Biochemistry and Cell & Molecular Biology. He was a member of the varsity golf team and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. He attended Wayne State University's School of Medicine Immunology and Microbiology Ph.D. program. While at Wayne State, he was recruited by Morgan Stanley for their private banking associate program and left graduate school for a career in finance.

Jack lives in Grosse Pointe. He is a board member at the Detroit Club, a Detroit Economic Club Young Leader, on the Emerging Leaders Council for Forgotten Harvest, and enjoys raising money for U of D Jesuit High School at their annual alumni golf outing. He is an active member and avid golfer at the Country Club of Detroit and enjoys cooking.
Securities Agent: MI, KY, NC, CO, TX, AZ, WI, DC, WA, NY, MD, CA, MO, VA, UT, SC, LA, FL, NV, NH, IL, OH; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1456522

About Kelsey Oliver

Kesley is the team’s Client Service Associate, who is responsible for maintaining daily operations of the team by identifying and anticipating client needs. She is also responsible for understanding Firm policies, procedures, and digital capabilities in order to streamline the team’s processes. She makes the client experience easier by utilizing tools such as e-signature, e-delivery, and e-authorization so that individuals and families can spend more time focusing on their lives and less time on paperwork.

Kelsey earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Eastern Michigan .

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Joseph V. Portera

Joseph Portera is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Michigan.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Joseph began his career in financial services in 2002 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2018. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a Commercial Lender and Market Director at JPMorgan Chase.

Joseph is a graduate of the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, and Keller Graduate School of Business where he received a Master’s in Business Administration in Finance & Accounting.

Joseph and his family currently reside in Grosse Pointe, MI. Outside of the office, he enjoys martial arts, skiing, tennis, and spending time with his family.
NMLS#: 1260889

About Heaven Robinson

Heaven Robinson is a Planning Associate at Morgan Stanley providing dedicated financial planning support to Advisors and their teams. Operating as an extension of the FA/Team, she collaborates with clients to discover and define goals that matter most to them. Leveraging state of the art technology, she will evaluate various alternatives and their potential outcomes to help clients confidently choose the appropriate course of action. Heaven provides expertise across a wide suite of Morgan Stanley planning tools designed to assist in the areas of investment accumulation, retirement, education, major purchase, cash flow, risk management, tax efficiency, and wealth transfer planning.

She earned her undergraduate degree from California State University, Los Angles and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Heaven is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and currently resides in Alpharetta, GA.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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
How to Take the Emotion Out of Investing
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How to Take the Emotion Out of Investing

Recognizing your impulses when investing can help you sharpen your decision-making. Here’s how.

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
Overcoming Your 5 Biggest Retirement Challenges
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Overcoming Your 5 Biggest Retirement Challenges

While saving for a retirement is an important topic, it’s at least as important as what comes next: Your plan of action once you enter retirement.

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.

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.

Mosaic

Explore ideas and inspiration with captivating, original lifestyle stories created exclusively for Morgan Stanley clients.
A Change of Greenery
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A Change of Greenery

Houseplants add oxygen, flair, and warmth year-round, and the right one in the right space can do just as much for a room as any painting or side table.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Kronner Smihal Wealth Management Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
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 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 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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4Morgan 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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5Morgan 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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6Products 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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7When 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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8Structured 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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9The 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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10Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
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 and other legal matters.

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11Morgan 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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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)