Our Story and Services

As your Financial Advisors, we can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together we can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You’ll have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Working With Us

Managing your wealth involves far more than managing a portfolio. It begins with a holistic, comprehensive understanding of who you are and the financial forces at work in your life. It means helping you understand and respond effectively to these forces. And, of course, it means helping you invest your assets in a way that reflects the realities of your life and your long‐term goals. As Financial Advisors, we take great pride in the relationships we have with our long-term clients. We hope you will come to regard us as a trusted resource, professionals who help you make informed decisions about any financial issue you and your family may encounter. Learn more about how we serve clients in the Advice Matters video at the bottom of this tab.

    Advanced Planning – Setting a Confident Course

    The most important step in establishing a path to your goals is a thorough, thoughtful planning process that analyzes where you are and where you want to go. You need a wealth plan that is uniquely your own

    Asset Management – Managing the Rewards of Success

    Managing a complex portfolio of real assets, investments and liabilities should be a consultative, disciplined process that considers your personal investment goals and a careful analysis of the financial markets. You can turn to us for objective, strategic advice in structuring your portfolio.

    Service and Communication – Building Long Term Loyalty

    Building Long Term Loyalty. We understand that clients are the reason our practice exists. Personal client service is something we live, breathe and practice day in and day out.

    The Six Pillars of a Comprehensive Plan

    • Financial Planning & Management
    • Risk Management
    • Retirement Planning
    • Multigenerational Planning
    • Estate Planning
    • Cash Management and Lending Solutions

Your Workplace Advisors

For many, equity in their company is an important piece of their full financial picture. As the Workplace Advisor for your company's equity plan, we specialize in creating a financial plan that caters specifically to your needs and goals. We consider your equity along with your overall assets which may include retirement plans, insurance policies, trusts, and other investments.

If you wish to discuss how all of these components can come together into a cohesive financial plan, we are available to help you with that as well.

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    Stock Plan Connect

    Equity compensation is an important part of your company's benefits. Learn how to access your awards and ways to manage your assets.

    Log In to Your Account
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    Financial Wellness

    Available with every service we provide, our Financial Wellness offering is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and help them reach their financial goals through a powerful combination of education, digital tools, and guidance from us.

    Learn More Here
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    Let Your Equity Compensation Help You Reach Financial Goals

    Your equity compensation can play an important role in building this personalized financial roadmap. Strategically using your proceeds may make it possible for you to meet certain milestones sooner, or provide more flexibility for your long-term plans. Here's a four-step guide to using your equity compensation to help you achieve your financial goals.

    Learn More Here
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    Equity Compensation When Planning For Retirement

    Your equity compensation can be one of your most valuable workplace benefits. Whether it's in the form of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), it offers you a chance to share in your company's success.

    Learn More Here
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    Equity Comp Taxation and Your Annual Tax Filing

    Equity compensation can be one of the most valuable benefits offered by your company, but it's important to understand how it works—and how it's taxed. Here's what you need to know.

    Learn More Here
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    Restricted Stock Units (RSU)

    RSUs are usually given to reward employees for their hard work, giving ownership in the company they're helping grow. RSU is a promise to deliver stock to the holder on a specified event or date.

    Watch Video to Learn More
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    Stock Options

    Stock Options give employees the right – but not the obligation – to purchase shares at a fixed price. If the value of the stock increased over time, the holder can earn a profit. The two types of stock options, Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) and Non–Qualified Stock Options (NQSOs), differ in their tax treatment.

    Learn More Here

Our Credentials

Financial Credentials and experience really do matter. They demonstrate our deep level of knowledge, advanced training and commitment to finding the very best solutions to match your needs.

    Certified Financial Planner™ - Susan Weitzman

    CFP®s create personalized strategies incorporating sophisticated financial planning, tax, estate and trust planning, risk management contingencies, and long-term income and retirement solutions.

    Family Wealth Advisor - Susan Weitzman

    FWAs provide you with comprehensive, family-centric wealth management solutions; crafting estate planning strategies, philanthropic goals and wealth transfer considerations that align with your family's values and engage the next generation.

    Senior Portfolio Management Director - Susan Weitzman

    Provide technical and organizational leadership on the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of portfolio management activities from program design, competition, selection and contracting, portfolio management, learning and knowledge development activities.

    Master's Club - Susan Weitzman

    The Firm's recognition programs are designed to recognize outstanding performance by Advisors. In addition to demonstrated leadership in the best practices of wealth management, the Firm's recognition Club Members must be in good standing and satisfy other aspects of the Firm's performance, conduct and compliance standards and expectations, as determined by the Firm.

Modern Wealth Management Tools and Resources

Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital resources has carefully been designed to help enhance each aspect of your financial portfolio. Take some time to learn about some of the many Modern Wealth Management resources that we offer to our clients.

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    Morgan Stanley Online

    Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley mobile app! Access your finances and invest in an instant with the help of this handy resource that is available 24/7.

    Learn more about Morgan Stanley Online
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    Goals-Based Planning

    Working with Morgan Stanley and its advanced wealth management technology is an ideal way to access advice and build a coherent wealth plan. Read more about the advantages of working with our unique planning technology to help reach your financial goals, whatever they may be.

    Learn more about Goals-Based Planning
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    Total Wealth View

    Complete your financial profile with Total Wealth View. By linking your external account information, you will benefit from more educated and holistic wealth planning, and convenient connectivity.

    Learn more about Total Wealth View
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    Online Security Center

    Safeguarding your assets and personal information is among our highest priorities here at the Hubbard Team. Learn about our extensive security measures and take advantage of our vast array of resources and ideas that are geared towards helping you stay protected on the World Wide Web.

    Learn more about the Online Security Center
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    Portfolio Risk Platform

    Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by BlackRock's Aladdin risk engine, a state-of-the-art, innovative risk engine used by several of the world's largest institutional asset managers, providing you with comprehensive risk analytics and a sophisticated view of the risk/return dichotomy across your financial portfolios. This helpful tool can assist you in making educated investment decisions with increased confidence.

    Learn more about the Portfolio Risk Platform

WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

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

    Equity Solutions

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

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

    Learn more
    Retirement

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

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

    Learn more
    Deferred Compensation

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

    Services include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

    • Financial Education
    • Digital Tools
    • Financial Guidance

    Learn more

Location

111 S Pfingsten Rd
Ste 200
Deerfield, IL 60015
US
Direct:
(847) 480-3600(847) 480-3600

Meet The North Shore Pinnacle Group

About Susan G Weitzman

Executive Director
Portfolio Management Director
Family Wealth Advisor
Financial Advisor


Susan joined Morgan Stanley in 2000 and is passionate about taking care of clients and guiding them to make prudent financial decisions throughout their lives.

Susan uses her behavioral science education and business experience in assisting clients to develop a clear and well defined wealth and investment management process. Her group is regarded as a trusted resource who can help clients and their family make informed decisions about any financial decision they may encounter. Susan believes every person has an opportunity to create and live the life they desire and is passionate about guiding and taking care of each and every client.

Susan has been recognized as a Forbes ‘Top Women Wealth Advisor’ and ‘Best-in State Wealth Advisor’ in 2019 to 2025. Susan has a deep appreciation for personal relationships which enables her to support her clients in an intelligent, easygoing and accessible manner.

Susan has held various leadership positions at Morgan Stanley having represented the Chicago North Complex as a member of the Great Lakes Regional Advisory Council as well as serving for 4 years on the National Advisor Council (FAAC) in New York representing the Great Lakes Region. These positions act as a liaison between Morgan Stanley colleagues and Senior Management, creating an open two-way communication channel to discuss and provide feedback and insight on key initiatives and enhancements within the organization.

Susan graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a MBA in Business Administration. She is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) professional. This nationally recognized certification is awarded to individuals after successfully completing a series of Financial Planning classes and exams administered by Northwestern University as well as passing the national exam issued by the CFP® Board.

Susan currently serves on the Executive Board and Board of Directors of Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, IL. Susan serves as Treasurer, Co-head of the Investment Committee and chairs the Budget Committee as well. For over a decade, Susan served on the University of Illinois Alumni Advisory and Psychology Department Advisory Board of Directors. She also served as a Vice President of the Board of Directors for Game-On Sports Camp for Girls.

Susan lives in Deerfield, IL with her husband Dan. She enjoys spending time with her grown children and the ‘little ones’ who thankfully live close by. Golf, paddle tennis and long walks help Susan stay active throughout the year.

2019 - 2025 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 2019 - 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award.

NMLS #1279145
CA Lic# OE41884
Securities Agent: DE, VT, TN, MD, AZ, VA, OR, MT, KY, KS, IA, PA, NJ, NH, OH, CT, AL, TX, NC, GA, DC, UT, SC, NY, NM, MN, MA, CA, WI, MO, MI, IL, CO, AR, WA, NV, IN, FL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1279145
CA Insurance License #: CA Lic# OE41884

About Mike Phillips

Mike utilizes 11 years of wealth management expertise to craft detailed investment strategies to achieve optimal outcomes. His investment philosophy focuses on goal centric planning to educate clients on the optimal path to protecting and growing their wealth.

Mike gained a very strong interest in investing at a young age. His passion for finance drew him to advance his education at Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Right out of the Kelley school he accepted an investment consulting position with FactSet Research. While at FactSet, he consulted with large institutional money managers to help analyze their portfolio performance and screen for attractive equity investments.

Through his experience, Michael has gained insight into market and investment trends that are currently present in today’s economic climate. Mike uses this expertise to execute detailed financial plans consistent with client objectives. He has a passion for using technology to enhance the client experience. While at Morgan Stanley, Michael has received numerous rewards from Forbes, those including Forbes Best In State Wealth Management Teams 2024-2025; Forbes Next Gen Best in State Wealth Advisor 2022 – 2024 and Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisor 2024-2025.

Mike lives with his wife and two boys in Northbrook, IL. In his free time he loves watching college basketball and playing sports with his kids. Mike has been at Morgan Stanley since 2015, and works with high net worth families and business owners.
Securities Agent: VA, TX, PA, NC, KY, MS, WI, SC, ME, KS, OH, MO, MA, WA, OR, UT, MI, MD, NJ, GA, MT, IN, IA, HI, CO, VT, NY, DE, AZ, DC, NV, NM, IL, NH, MN, CT, TN, FL, AR, CA, AL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1418908

About James Phillips

Jim Phillips grew up in Lincolnwood, IL and currently resides in the north suburbs of Chicago. Jim received his finance degree and MBA from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Shortly after achieving his MBA, Jim was hired as zone manager for Ford Motor Company. Jim managed the relationships between Ford and the various dealerships throughout the Midwest.

In the spring of 1979, Jim decided to pursue his passion for investments and enroll in the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter training program. Three years later Jim was appointed Regional Product Manager for Certificates of Deposit in the Midwest Region. In 1985, Jim was promoted to the title of Senior Vice President Financial Advisor.

Jim has been with Morgan Stanley for 45 years. In addition, Jim has been recognized as a top-performing advisor at Morgan Stanley, previously holding Chairman’s club designation for 10 years.

Today, Jim works on financial planning and execution of investment strategies for high net worth families. In his free time, Jim is a big Northwestern sports fan and very involved in philanthropy. He also loves spending quality time with his 5 grandchildren.
Securities Agent: CO, NM, MI, ME, KY, DE, DC, CT, VA, TX, NY, MT, MN, AR, TN, PA, NH, GA, AL, WI, VT, UT, OH, NC, AZ, MS, MD, KS, IN, SC, HI, FL, MA, CA, WA, OR, NV, NJ, MO, IL, IA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1332037

Awards and Recognition

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Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

This is a video content

Equity Compensation

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

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

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

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

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
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty

When it comes to investing, even the most savvy of us fall prey to bias and emotional trades. So what triggers should you watch for?

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

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

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The North Shore Pinnacle Group today.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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

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2Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.

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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 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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5Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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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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7Investing in the market entails the risk of market volatility. The value of all types of investments may increase or decrease over varying time periods. The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of sustainable or impact investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because sustainability and impact 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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8Morgan 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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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.

CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque 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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)