Welcome Message

The only thing constant in life is change. Whether it be your career, family dynamics, opportunities, concerns, or goals – our award-winning, highly credentialed, and experienced team is well positioned to provide the advice, service, and strategies needed to help navigate each stage of life.

The founding partners of The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group began their investment careers in 1974, 1982, and 2002 respectively. Our founders believed putting client interests first is paramount. They recognized that the best Financial Advisors are excellent listeners, seeking to fully understand the unique goals and concerns of each client in order to provide sound advice. They approached their work with clients as an ongoing teaching-learning relationship; believing if we invest the time to explain concepts in ways that resonate, our clients will be more likely to accomplish their goals. These are just a few of the key principles our team was founded upon that continue to guide The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley to this day.

Our Financial Advisors hold some of the most varied, coveted, and specialized designations within Morgan Stanley as well as prestigious industry certifications and recognition. With our combined 100+ years of experience, The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley has the skillset and perspective to understand a wide spectrum of clients as their financial landscape evolves. Our clientele includes but is not limited to entrepreneurs, successful young professionals, c-suite executives, retirees, sports and entertainment professionals, and in many cases the fourth and fifth generations of families entrusted to us by our founders. By fostering long-term relationships and understanding family dynamics we strive to create continuity, helping to ensure proper stewardship, stability and success for years to come.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
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Evolve or Perish
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Part 3
New Horizons With New Challenges
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Part 4
Surviving the Crisis
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Part 5
A Culture Driven Strategy
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    Morgan Stanley Online Mobile App and Online Wealth Management
    Access Your Morgan Stanley Account Anytime, Anywhere. See Your Investment Account Balances, Stay on Top of Market Data, Access Research & More.
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    E-Authorization
    With E-Authorization, you no longer need to sign a paper letter of Authorization (LOA) to authorize a wire transfer request.
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    Total Wealth View
    With Total Wealth View you can link your non-Morgan Stanley accounts to see your complete financial picture and analyze your assets all in one place.
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    E-Sign
    E-Sign is a digital, paperless alternative to the traditional means of obtaining signatures from clients on paperwork. There is no registration process for you to begin using E-Sign, all you need is a valid email address and phone number.
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    Digital Vault
    The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
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    Goals Planning system
    GPS helps clients define what they want out of life, and then creates a financial framework to bring these goals to life.
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    Global Sports and Entertainment
    Global Sports and Entertainment is a highly specialized wealth management division, dedicated to serving the unique and complex needs of athletes, entertainers, creators and top professionals in the sports entertainment industry.
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    Alternative Investments
    Our team specializes in a broad range of strategies in diverse markets and geographies in order to help provide you with the best means to obtain attractive returns and achieve your financial goals.
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    Cash Plus
    Assisting you with your cash management needs cash plus allows you to access your cash anytime and anywhere while providing you with more value and more protection.
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    Insurance and Annuities
    We help you protect and grow your money, or even provide a stream of income during your retirement.
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    Loans and Home Financing
    Our Financial Advisors can help you reach your goals. We have worked with individuals, families, businesses and institutions in order to help deliver services and solutions that help build, preserve and manage wealth.
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    Liquidity Access Lines (LAL's)
    A Liquidity Access Line allows you to use the
    eligible securities in your investment account(s) as
    collateral for a line of credit. You can finance real
    estate purchases, fund tax obligations, cover business
    expenses or a variety of other financing needs.
    Learn more about utilizing a LAL

Awards & Designations

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    2023-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
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    John Mele named to 2018-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018-2024). 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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    Jeremy Schwendeman named to 2022-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2024). 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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    John Mele named to 2017-2020 Forbes Top Next Gen Wealth Advisors
    America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors by Forbes 2017-2020 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 Weatlh Advisors) Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2017-2020). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.
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    CFP® - Certified Financial Planner™ (John Mele, Jeremy Schwendeman, Steven Jakubowski & Michelle Oosterwijk)
    The Certified Financial Planner™ designation is awarded to candidates who have demonstrated expertise in the areas of Education, Investment, Tax, Retirement, Estate and Insurance planning. CFP® professionals must accrue several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass a comprehensive exam before calling themselves a CFP® Professional and are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in the best interest of their clients.
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    FWD - Family Wealth Director (John Mele)
    The Family Wealth Director designation within Morgan Stanley is awarded to a highly trained group of select Financial Advisors serving an elite clientele facing more complex wealth management challenges. Family Wealth Directors within Morgan Stanly have extensive experience, specialized training and the resources to address planning for ultra-high net worth families in the areas of wealth transfer, business succession planning, asset protection, family governance and wealth education.
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    GSE - Global Sports & Entertainment Director (John Mele & Jeremy Schwendeman)
    Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment is a highly specialized wealth management division, dedicated to serving the unique and complex needs of athletes, entertainers, creators and top professionals in the sports and entertainment industry.
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    CIMA® - Certified Investment Management Analyst® (Steven Jakubowski)
    Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) certification is the peak international, technical portfolio construction program for investment consultants, analysts, financial advisors and wealth management professionals. CIMA® certification continues to be the highest level of advanced investment education for client-facing advisors.
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    Alternative Investment Director (John Mele & Jeremy Schwendeman)
    This highly selective Alternative Investments Director designations ensures adequate completion of required technical trainings that provide Directors with the knowledge to help clients navigate various suitable alternative investment options.
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    Workplace Advisor - Equity Compensation (John Mele, Jeremy Schwendeman, Steven Jakubowski, & Michelle Oosterwijk)
    Your equity compensation plan opens up a world of financial possibilities. Workplace Advisors for Equity Compensation have experience in equity award optimization and can help you define a strategy that aligns with both your current needs and future financial goals.
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    Senior Portfolio Management Director (Jeremy Schwendeman)
    Highly selective designation awarded to advisors based on strong compliance record and suitable investment discipline allowing for the design and implementation of discretional portfolio management services to clients.
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    John Mele named speaker at Forbes Under 30 Summit 2017-2019

Location

1201 Wills Street
Ste 700
Baltimore, MD 21231
US
Direct:
(410) 837-8800(410) 837-8800
Toll-Free:
(800) 837-5833(800) 837-5833

Meet The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group

About John A. Mele

John A. Mele, CFP®, a founding partner of The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, began his career in 2002 as an unpaid intern and in 2021 became one of the youngest Financial Advisors to earn the prestigious Managing Director title at Morgan Stanley.

Upon completion of his unpaid internship, John was selected by two highly respected industry veterans to serve as the succession plan for their wealth management practice. John was mentored extensively and integrated into their practices to provide continuity for the clients they served and cared for. John brings to clients the comprehensive perspective of a Financial Advisor with more than 20 years of his own experience combined with the wisdom of his mentors spanning more than 75 years.

John’s mentors taught him more than investing and financial advice; they imparted the values and skills that truly differentiate elite Financial Advisors. Above all, they believed putting client interests first is paramount. They also recognized that the best Financial Advisors are excellent listeners, seeking to fully understand clients’ unique goals and concerns in order to provide sound advice. John’s mentors approached their work with clients as an ongoing teaching-learning relationship; believing if we invest the time to explain concepts in ways that resonate, our clients will be more likely to succeed in accomplishing their goals. These are just a few of the principles that were instilled in John that continue to guide The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley to this day.

Throughout John’s career, he has advised a wide range of clients including entrepreneurs, successful young professionals, c-suite executives, retirees, sports and entertainment professionals, and in many cases the fourth and fifth generations of families entrusted to him by his mentors.

At Morgan Stanley, John is part of an exclusive group of Financial Advisors who have earned the Family Wealth Director designation. This designation signifies that he has extensive experience working with ultra-high net worth families and has direct access to broad range of Morgan Stanley resources needed to help highly affluent families navigate the complex, multigenerational challenges of managing significant wealth. He has also earned the designation of Global Sports and Entertainment Director at Morgan Stanley having advised a wide range of uniquely successful clients from the sports and entertainment world, including Super Bowl Champions as well as GRAMMY and Academy Award Winners.

John’s exceptional skillset, resources, and experience allows him to understand a wide spectrum of client situations as varied as young fast-rising sports and entertainment professionals whose life, family dynamics, and financial situations can shift seemingly overnight, to established ultra-high net worth families who strive to grow, preserve, protect, and perpetuate their wealth in the most tax-efficient way. The diverse clientele he has guided through the years allows John to understand various situations clients face and deliver relevant advice.

John has been consistently recognized as a Top Advisor by Forbes, most recently earning a Top-5 Best-In-State Wealth Advisor ranking (2024).

John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Washington & Lee University and a graduate degree in Financial Planning from Georgetown University. John has held the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation since 2008.

2017-2020 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 2017-2020). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.

2018-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2023 - 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2023 - 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Securities Agent: VT, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1278744
CA Insurance License #: 0K05865

About Jeremy J. Schwendeman

Jeremy J. Schwendeman, CFP® is a Financial Advisor with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and joined The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group in 2013. In 2024, Jeremy was promoted to Managing Director by Morgan Stanley. In 2023 & 2024, Forbes Magazine has recognized him as a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor and The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group as a Best in State Wealth Management Team.

Jeremy specializes in developing wealth management strategies for professional coaches and their families. A member of the football coaching staff at the University of Akron from 1997-2001, he draws from his experience in order to provide the most sound, tailored and consistent financial advice to the families of professional coaches across the country. Jeremy is a Director of Morgan Stanley Global Sports and Entertainment, which was earned based on his experience and knowledge working with coaches and sports executives. This designation provides him with access to world-class resources needed to navigate the complexities and pressures facing high-achieving professionals in the sports and entertainment industries, to help them make smart choices about how they save, spend, invest, borrow, protect, and give. Jeremy also focuses on working with corporate executives to provide financial planning and advice around their corporate stock plan options and awards.

Jeremy takes the lead on portfolio management and economic analysis for the team. He is focused on portfolio construction, development, and monitoring of our client investments within the firm. He is passionate about financial literacy has been asked to speak at various colleges, universities and NCAA events on financial planning and the unique financial needs of coaches and their families.

Jeremy graduated from the University of Akron in 2000. He earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2011 and is a Senior Portfolio Management Director with Morgan Stanley. Given his extensive experience working with clients in the NFL, he was selected as an NFLPA Registered Institutional Player Financial Advisor.

He and his wife Jessica live in Howard County with their 3 children, Jack, Olivia and Alec. Jeremy is actively involved in coaching and cheering on his children’s sports teams and especially enjoys coaching baseball. He loves spending time in South Carolina and cheering on the Cleveland Browns.

​2022 - 2024 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022, 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2023 - 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2023 - 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Securities Agent: LA, KY, IA, NY, WY, RI, NJ, NH, AL, TX, OR, NE, IN, NC, MD, IL, WI, SC, PA, NM, MA, TN, ID, HI, CA, UT, VT, OH, NV, MO, MI, FL, AZ, OK, MN, GA, CO, KS, DC, CT, VA, ME, DE, MS; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 532925
CA Insurance License #: 0K05665

About Steven P. Jakubowski

Steven “Steve” P. Jakubowski, CFP®, CIMA®, is a Financial Advisor with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry.  He joined the Mount Clare Wealth Management Group in 2022 as a partner, to collaborate and guide clients on a full spectrum of their wealth management needs including asset allocation, retirement income strategies, multigenerational planning, and risk management.    

Steve has a passion for financial education and building upon his clients’ financial literacy. He spent the last 10 years at TIAA as a Wealth Management Advisor to high-net-worth families and foundations within the non-profit, research, and academic communities to help them toward achieving their short and long-term goals using sound financial planning.  His mission is to help his clients achieve the best possible outcomes through deep discovery and truly understanding their financial story, breaking down the complexities and explaining things clearly and transparently. Prior to joining TIAA, Steve was a Financial Advisor with Legg Mason and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

Steve graduated from the College of Charleston in 2002 with a concentration in Finance.  He holds the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ and CERTIFIED INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT ANALYST®.

Steve and his wife Abigail live in Lutherville, MD with their two daughters, Liv and Mira and boxer Hugo.  In his free time, he enjoys traveling, golfing and mountain biking.  
Securities Agent: WY, WI, VA, UT, TX, SC, RI, PA, OR, OK, OH, NY, NM, NJ, NH, NC, MS, MO, MD, IL, LA, KY, KS, IN, MN, NE, MI, ID, IA, NV, ME, HI, GA, FL, DE, MA, DC, TN, CT, CA, AZ, VT, AL, CO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2380609
CA Insurance License #: 0G34587

About Michelle V. Oosterwijk, CFP®

Michelle is a financial advisor on the team with a focus on financial planning. She works closely with clients in all stages of life to develop a customized plan and strategy, specifically tailored to each individual. Michelle believes in a holistic wealth management approach, identifying each client’s entire financial picture to best align their resources with their goals. Michelle graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Towson University and received her MBA from Loyola University Maryland. She joined The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group in 2020.

Native to Baltimore City, Michelle resides in Canton and enjoys spending time outdoors, travelling and family time.

Michelle is Series 7 and Series 66 Licensed and holds her Life and Health Insurance License.
Securities Agent: WI, SC, NC, IL, UT, KY, CA, CO, MS, TX, VA, AZ, WY, NJ, NH, RI, OK, DE, NE, GA, IA, ID, MO, FL, KS, MD, ME, MI, IN, AL, VT, TN, PA, OR, OH, NY, NV, NM, MN, MA, LA, HI, DC, CT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2305215
CA Insurance License #: 4192654

About Kreg Keeney

Kreg Keeney joined the Mount Clare Wealth Management group in April 2022. With over 30 years of financial services experience, Kreg provides superior client service with quick and accurate results. Kreg assists our team and its clients with many projects and complex situations as well as day-to-day client operational needs.

Kreg spent over 30 years with what was once the Baltimore-based Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc. – the nation’s first investment bank originally founded in 1800. Through acquisition and take over, the company eventually evolved into a local retail brokerage branch of Alex. Brown, a division of Raymond James. For the last 11 years, Kreg was on a large wealth management team servicing high-net worth retail clients as well as large institutional clients.

Holding series 63, 66, 7, 9 & 10 FINRA licenses, Kreg has experience in operations, corporate client services (including brokerage clearing and stock plan services), branch supervision and client facing wealth management.

Kreg is a graduate of Towson University with a degree in Sports Management. A lifelong resident of the Baltimore region – GO Ravens, Orioles, Terps!!...and Tigers – Kreg currently lives in Harford County with his wife and 2 college age “children”. On the weekends and after hours, you can find Kreg playing golf, watching his daughter’s college lacrosse games, completing projects around the house, gathering with friends and traveling whenever possible.

About Emily Benton

In her role as a Senior Client Service Associate, Emily Benton strives to deliver superior client service, as well as assisting The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group Financial Advisors with daily operations. Her primary responsibility on the team is to welcome new clients and help facilitate their account opening and transfer needs.

Emily began her career working for an independent wealth management firm based out of Annapolis, MD and brings over ten years of experience to The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group.

Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. She currently resides in Baltimore, MD and is working to renovate her 130 year-old row home, one room at a time.

About Christian J. Schwartz

In his role as a Client Service Associate, Christian Schwartz helps our clients with their day-to-day financials needs, as well as assisting the Mount Clare Wealth Management Financial Advisors with administrative and transactional functions.

Christian graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in the spring of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in finance with a co-major in business analytics. He was a member of the Indiana Football Recruiting staff from 2021 to 2023 and is an advocate for Juvenile Diabetes Research. As a new resident to Baltimore, Maryland, Christian enjoys attending Orioles games at Camden Yards and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay.

Christian is Series 7 and Series 66 Licensed.

About Kate Michaud

In her role as Registered Client Service Associate, Kate strives to provide exceptional client service and advisor support. She is instrumental in preparing for client meetings with the financial advisors and engages with clients on various items on a daily basis.

In 2020, Kate graduated cum laude from The Catholic University of America with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Business degree from CUA’s Busch School of Business in 2021. Prior to joining The Mount Clare Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, Kate had three years of industry experience. She currently holds her Series 7, 66, and Maryland Health and Life Insurance licenses.

Kate is native to Baltimore County and currently lives in Lutherville with her two German shepherd dogs, Loki and Gunnar. In her free time Kate enjoys metal detecting with the Maryland Free-State Treasure Club and hiking on local trails.

About Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson began her career at Morgan Stanley in 2015 and joined the Mount Clare Wealth Management Group in 2025. Her background includes working closely with individual investors, plan administrators, and trustees to help ensure a high level of service. In her role as Wealth Management Associate, Sarah focuses on business development and strives to ensure the continued growth of the team. She holds the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.

Sarah and her husband Matt live in Reisterstown with their son Miller, their daughter Isla, and cat Yzma. In her free time, she enjoys cooking for friends and family.
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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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.

Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers

Understanding the unique financial challenges of athletes and entertainers and how they differ from one profession to the next, we deliver the experience and resources you need to help create and implement a comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plan based on your needs, values and aspirations.
  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
  • Private Banking Solutions
  • Family Governance & Wealth Education
  • Lifestyle Advisory
You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career
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You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career

Assembling a team of trusted professionals to manage your career—and your money—is essential to help best position you to thrive. Here’s how.

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 Mount Clare Wealth Management 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.

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

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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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3Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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4Alternative 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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5Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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6Morgan 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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7Morgan 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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8When 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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9Morgan 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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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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11Products 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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12Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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13Morgan 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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14The 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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15Morgan 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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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.

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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.

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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.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)