Global Experience. Individual Attention.

At The Madison Group, we serve a diverse global clientele with sophisticated financial needs.  They are institutions, endowments, individuals and families of considerable means.  They are builders, doctors, entrepreneurs and scions of considerable family fortunes.  They count on us to act as thoughtful stewards of their wealth, helping to preserve what they have worked hard to achieve.

Our clients find an experienced team that is discreet and dedicated to putting their interests first.  We understand the unique needs of international investors, and take the time to learn about their lives, their businesses, their legacies and the specific issues that may strategically impact their financial decisions. We work to provide tailored wealth management solutions designed to address our clients' precise needs.

Whether they entrust their entire investment portfolio to us, or ask us to help tailor it to a specific investment objective as part of a global diversification strategy, our clients can expect attentive service, experienced guidance and unfailing integrity.

Our clients include U.S. citizens, resident aliens and nonresident aliens who wish to maintain investment accounts in the United States. Drawing on extensive knowledge of both developed and emerging markets, we help those clients who seek our advise to craft portfolios that add broader diversification to their holdings.  Our objective is to help our clients lower their overall risk profile while partaking in a variety of global investment opportunities.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

WEALTH MANAGEMENT, TAILORED FOR FOUNDERS, CONTENT CREATORS & C SUITE EXECUTIVES

The Madison Group supports founders and C-suite executives through various aspects of their financial endeavors. Morgan Stanley serves as your gateway to some of the most robust intellectual capital and global resources in the industry. 

With growing startup valuations and Pre-IPO liquidity opportunities, the importance of early stage (Series A/B) planning continues to increase. Whether it's early-stage cap table management, a mid-stage liquidity program, corporate IPO readiness or employee financial education, our "A to Z" capabilities allows our team to help support throughout the different stages of both personal and corporate wealth.

Some of the ways we support our founders and executives are below:

Our Suite of Services

As your wealth grows, so does its complexities and the resources needed to manage it effectively. We leverage our experience and relationships to deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to your needs. We look forward to speaking with you to understand your challenges, so we may map out a strategy to achieve your particular priorities and goals.
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    Wealth Management
    Wealth management brings all the dimensions of your life together. We listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career and your legacy goals to develop a comprehensive strategy that is uniquely yours.
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    Retirement Planning
    One of our key areas of focus is helping you prepare for and thrive in retirement. From IRAs to RMDs, we manage the complexities of your comprehensive retirement plan assets, helping you easily transition to the next phase of your life with security and confidence.
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    Professional Portfolio Management
    Managing an investment portfolio should be a consultative, disciplined process that balances your attitudes about investing with careful analysis of the financial markets. Working together, we create a customized strategy that applies long-held investment principles to help your assets appreciate appropriately or generate cash-flow or income as you require.
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    Alternative Investments
    Morgan Stanley’s global network affords us the ability to offer suitable clients a wide array of alternative investments to consider – from private equities and exchange funds to hedge funds and real estate investments. Our recommendations are based on your own goals and your tolerance for investment risk.
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    Cash Management Services
    Creating adequate cash flow and securing liquidity are the day-to-day aspects of implementing a financial strategy. We help you meet your personal cash management and borrowing needs, while thinking strategically about how specific approaches may affect current and long-term costs and taxes.
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    Estate Planning & Philanthropic Strategies
    Delivering an estate to the next generation or favorite charity requires more attention than families often realize. We coordinate with your estate and tax professionals to align your legacy goals with the appropriate asset titling and beneficiary designation requirements, incorporating best practices to help enhance results.
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    Barron's Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams
    The Madison Group 2022

    2022 ​Barron's Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams
    Source: Barron's.com (Awarded Apr 2022) Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Dec 2020 - Dec 2021.
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    Forbes America´s Top Wealth Advisors
    Marcos Douer - 2022, 2021, 2020

    2020-2022 Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2020, 2021, 2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of the year the award was issued.
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    Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors
    Seema Khanna - 2022, 2021, 2020

    2020-2022 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 2020-2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award.
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    Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
    Marcos Douer - 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
    Aleksandr Guzenfeld - 2022, 2021

    2019-2022 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
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    Financial Times Top 400 Ranking
    Marcos Douer - March 2017

    2017 Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors
    Source: ft.com (Awarded Mar 2017) Data compiled by the Financial Times based on time period from 9/30/14 - 9/30/16.
    Working Mother Top Wealth Advisor Moms
    Seema Khanna 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

    2018-2021 Working Mother Magazine & SHOOK Research's Top Wealth Advisor Moms
    Source: Workingmother.com (Awarded October 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was given.
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    Forbes Top Women Best In State
    Seema Khanna- 2022

    ​Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In- State
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Feb 2022) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 9/30/20 - 9/30/21.
    2024 Forbes Best-In-State-Wealth Management Team
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2024) Data compiled by Shook Research LLC Based on time period from (3/31/22-3/31/23)
    Disclosures Forbes.com

Media and Research

The Madison Group strives to make complex financial ideas more digestible so that our clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future. The links below provide detailed analysis on interesting topics that are affecting the finance and business worlds.
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    GIC Weekly 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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    On The Markets Report
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy, and more.
    Read The Latest Report
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    Thoughts On The Market Podcast
    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Listen To The Latest Episode
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    Now, What's Next Podcast
    The world is changing in ways we never expected. And the Morgan Stanley Ideas podcast is changing alongside it. Our new podcast looks at life AFTER the global pandemic. Sonari Glinton makes sense of how the world continues to evolve in the face of a global crisis and the rare chance it’s given us to rethink our assumptions. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to create real and lasting change.
    Listen To The Latest Episode

Location

399 Park Ave 12th
Fl
New York, NY 10022
US
Direct:
(212) 315-6234(212) 315-6234
Toll-Free:
(800) 468-0019(800) 468-0019

Meet The Madison Group

About Aleksandr Guzenfeld

Aleksandr Guzenfeld has over 20 years of experience as a Wealth Advisor. He works with clients from around the world, speaks multiple languages and believes the most important trait in a Wealth Advisor is honesty and integrity. This is why many of the clients he started with in 1999 are still with him today. With well over a decade of experience as a Wealth Advisor, Aleksandr has the knowledge to help clients navigate through many different market conditions. He believes in building client net worth carefully, with intelligence and risk mitigation. Whether you're saving for retirement or building a nest egg for future generations, Aleksandr reviews all aspects of your financial life to help you create the lifestyle you want, and leave behind the legacy you desire.  Aleksandr earned an engineering degree at the Donetsk National Technical University in the Ukraine. He enjoys tennis, travel and reading, especially about history. Aleksandr is a fully registered investment advisor at Morgan Stanley and lives in New York City with his wife.
Securities Agent: NV, ME, KY, HI, VT, PR, PA, OR, LA, CT, NM, MD, VA, CA, VI, NY, MI, OH, NJ, GA, DE, CO, UT, TX, TN, RI, NC, DC, WY, MA, IL, FL, AZ, SD, MT, WA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1290448

About Chelsea Bernstein

Chelsea Bernstein is a dedicated Certified Financial Planner™ and Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, where she has built a successful career since 2015. Chelsea excels in financial planning and business development, consistently delivering innovative solutions tailored to her clients’ unique needs.

Chelsea serves a diverse clientele, including individuals, families, and multigenerational households, as well as high-profile influencers, founders and entrepreneurs. She leverages Morgan Stanley's Private Market Solutions to offer strategic guidance from seed funding through post-IPO stages. A passionate sports enthusiast, Chelsea initiated the Morgan Stanley softball team in 2019, seamlessly blending her professional and personal interests.

As a Workplace Advisor - Equity Compensation, she works closely with executives who receive compensation in company equity, navigating the complexities of concentrated holdings and developing strategic approaches in an effort to maximize their financial well-being. Additionally, as an Insurance Planning Director, Chelsea conducts comprehensive efficiency reviews of life insurance and property and casualty insurance, providing thoughtful assessments and strategies for homeowners, umbrella policies, workers’ compensation, boating, fine art, and auto insurance.

Holding multiple licenses—including Series 7, 66, 9, and 10—as well as New York Life & Health Insurance and New York Property and Casualty licenses, Chelsea also proudly carries the Financial Planning Specialist designation, underscoring her commitment to professional excellence.

Beyond her advisory role, Chelsea co-founded FAME, an internal mentoring program at Morgan Stanley that fosters mutually beneficial relationships within the Wealth Management division. This initiative emphasizes long-term career development, encouraging mentors to guide mentees while gaining fresh insights in return.

Chelsea earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Business from the University of Maryland. Born and raised in New York City, she continues to call the city her home, where she lives with her husband and remains deeply connected to her community and clients.
Securities Agent: DC, TX, ME, CT, VA, PA, OH, MT, NJ, TN, SD, AZ, OR, MA, WA, PR, NY, DE, NC, MI, LA, IL, CA, WY, VI, MD, KY, CO, UT, NE, HI, VT, RI, GA, FL; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2212914

About Craig Shapiro

Craig Shapiro has been a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley since February 2013. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Woodmere, NY. Craig received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and graduated on the Honors Deans list from the City University of New York at Queens College in 2010. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Craig worked for his family business Corporate Leasing Associates Inc. where he was analyzing and structuring equipment leases for Fortune 500 companies. Since joining Morgan Stanley, Craig completed a 3 year Financial Advisor training program and holds a Series 7, 63, 65 and Health and Insurance License. Craig enjoys tennis, fishing and spending time with his family. He and his wife Merissa reside in Woodmere with their children Aiden, Olivia & Liam.
Securities Agent: RI, NY, WI, VA, TN, NV, HI, WY, SD, OR, FL, WA, PA, IL, TX, LA, GA, MA, CA, VT, NM, MI, MD, AZ, OH, NJ, ME, DE, PR, DC, VI, UT, NC, MT, KY, CT, CO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1297847

About Melissa Cheong

Melissa has 22 years of exceptional customer service experience with 20 of those years in the financial industry. She initially started working as an Executive Sales Assistant where for 2 years she provided extensive support to a Managing Director with a client base of over $100 million in assets. Thereafter, she was presented with an opportunity to work at Morgan Stanley where for the last 18 years she remains a dedicated employee. During her time here at Morgan Stanley and its predecessors, Melissa has advanced from a Senior Client Service Associate to becoming a Senior Registered Associate. With due diligence, she has worked hard to gain more practical experience and has successfully acquired her Series 7 and 66. In her spare time, she is active in her local community and also enjoys reading, traveling and sports.
Wealth Management
From Our Team

The Madison Group at Morgan Stanley Brochure


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.

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.

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 Madison 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.

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’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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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 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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5Morgan 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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6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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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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8An investment in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) involves risks similar to those of investing in a broadly based portfolio of equity securities traded on exchange in the relevant securities market, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The investment return and principal value of ETF investments will fluctuate, so that an investor’s ETF shares, if or when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the ETF. To obtain a prospectus, contact your Financial Advisor or visit the ETF company’s website. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

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9Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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10When 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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11Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

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)