Our Story and Services

Each financial journey unfolds in its own rhythm. Some decisions are made with clarity and momentum; others through reflection, discussion, and deliberate care. Both approaches are valued within The Peninsula SC Group’s philosophy, which unites confidence with respect for opportunity and tradition alike.

The Group’s purpose is enduring: to preserve family wealth as a foundation for future generations, and to provide thoughtful structure so that success may be lived with balance, ease, and grace.

Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, the team communicates with clarity and cultural understanding.

At The Peninsula SC Group, wealth is viewed not only as capital but as continuity—linking generations through shared values, prudent structure, and enduring care.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Helping Achieve Your Definition of Success

Effective wealth management is both an art and a discipline: the integration of every facet of a family's financial life into a single, coherent framework. Each element is viewed not in isolation, but as part of a broader whole that connects present needs with future intentions.

A thorough review extends well beyond investments and retirement plans. Tax considerations, estate strategies, insurance protection, equity compensation, business succession, and daily cash flow are all evaluated within the context of long-term vision and family continuity.

By understanding how these dimensions interact, guidance becomes balanced, precise, and enduring—aligning structure with the values that give it meaning.

A suite of proprietary platforms enhances our ability to provide clarity, precision, and continuity. Each tool reflects Morgan Stanley's global insight combined with The Peninsula SC Group's commitment to understanding and stewardship.

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    LifeView Intelligent Planning

    ifeView is a suite of planning tools that includes goal-specific analysis that I can use with my clients to create a holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of an individual's financial life, including investments and cash management needs.

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    Goals Planning System

    Goals Planning System (GPS) is Morgan Stanley's own integrated planning tool. Built on the Firm's intellectual capital and capabilities, GPS is an intuitive and efficient platform used to quickly assess whether a client is "On Track" to achieving their financial goals.

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    CashPlus: A Modern Alternative to Banking

    With a CashPlus brokerage account, you can manage your cash and get more value, more protection, and a seamless digital experience. Contact me to discuss or click here. Terms apply.

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    Portfolio Risk Platform

    Our Portfolio Risk Platform, backed by institutional-caliber analytics, assesses thousands of risk factors using a holdings-based approach to assess a portfolio's exposures, analyze how securities behave together across portfolios and forecast how they influence risk and return moving forward.

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Cash Management and Lending

We help you make the most of your cash while keeping your goals in focus. From managing liquidity to exploring lending solutions, we offer flexible strategies designed to support your evolving financial needs—whatever they may be.

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    Cash Management and Lending Solutions

    At Morgan Stanley, we offer unique cash management and lending solutions to complement your investments and help simplify your finances.

    Explore the Full Suite of Offerings
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    Beyond Basic Borrowing

    Most people borrow during the course of their lives. But it's important to be as strategic about borrowing as you are with the other areas of your financial life.

    Strategic Borrowing
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    Morgan Stanley CashPlus Brokerage Account

    Designed as a modern alternative to banking with the capabilities to help you access, move, and manage cash when you need it while enjoying exclusive benefits.

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    Looking to Buy a Home? How Cash Offers Can Give You an Edge

    In hot housing markets, cash can help you get what you want. There are strategies that can help you make an all-cash offer.

    Strategies to Raise Funds for an All-Cash Offer
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    Why Your Home Can Be a Retirement Asset

    If you're willing to consider drawing on your home's equity—either by selling your home or borrowing against its value—it can dramatically change your retirement outlook.

    Ways to Tap into Home Equity
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    Preferred Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

    Once you open a Morgan Stanley Brokerage Account, you can potentially grow your wealth with our competitive fixed rate Preferred Certificates of Deposit (CDs) offerings.

    Lock in a Competitive Rate
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    Preferred Savings Program

    Once you open a Morgan Stanley Brokerage Account, you can make the most of your idle cash with our competitive Preferred Savings Program.

    Help Keep Your Cash Working for You
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    A $695 Annual Engagement Bonus

    For eligible Platinum Morgan Stanley CashPlus brokerage account clients with the Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley. Certain Morgan Stanley Debit Cardholders may qualify. Terms apply.

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What We Provide

Here at Morgan Stanley, we strive to simplify complex financial ideas so that our clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future. We are firm believers of giving our clients quality resources as possible so they can stay informed about the latest market trends, outlooks, and breakdowns. Morgan Stanley seeks 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, and why.

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    Wealth Management Capabilities

    Our team at Morgan Stanley has exclusive access to vast resources, combined with our unique capabilities, giving us the means to support your goals at every life stage. Our commitment to building, preserving and managing wealth of our clients forms the foundation of everything we do.

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    Pre-Liquidity Event Planning

    Liquidity events such as an initial public offering or a merger or acquisition may provide income and estate planning opportunities. Liquidity events also magnify the need to put in place or update certain essential estate planning documents. It is important to consider and implement income tax and wealth transfer strategies prior to a potential liquidity or sale event.

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    Alternative Investments

    Our Team is highly skilled and experienced in providing clients with support through alternative investments. Learn how Morgan Stanley's comprehensive strategies, diverse talent and global resources can provide you with the opportunity to achieve your financial goals.

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    Estate Planning

    Our Team looks at all aspects of an individual's estate to understand the potential income tax and estate planning attributes of the vehicles. The goal is for the client and his or her investment professionals to make more informed investment decisions looking at their estate plan holistically.

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    Executive Compensation: Stock & Stock Options

    Executives today are increasingly compensated with stock or stock options. It is critical that an executive understands the risks of investing financial assets and the potential reward of preferential income tax treatment. The following is a general overview of some of the basic rules applicable to stock and stock options.

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    Home Loans

    As a Morgan Stanley client, you have access to our dedicated Home Loans team, who will work with you to explore the right solution for your home financing needs.

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Digital Resources for Clients

Access your financial world at your convenience.

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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.

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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, along with convenient connectivity.

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    MS Reserved

    Detailed Market commentary from Morgan Stanley's though leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.

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    The GIC Weekly

    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.

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    On the Markets

    Detailed Market commentary from Morgan Stanley's though leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.

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Location

411 Borel Ave
Suite 220
San Mateo, CA 94402
US
Direct:
(650) 358-7518(650) 358-7518

Meet The Peninsula SC Group

About Me

Decisive yet composed, Stephen Lo leads with clarity, foresight, and balance — a steady presence when timing and judgment matter most. Over more than three decades in wealth management, he has remained guided by integrity and by the enduring trust that defines lasting relationships.

Stephen began his financial services career at a San Francisco bank before joining Charles Schwab, where he deepened his understanding of client strategy and portfolio management. He later joined Wells Fargo, continuing to serve families with thoughtful, long-term perspective. In 2025, he and Charlotte Lee brought their shared philosophy of disciplined, relationship-centered guidance to Morgan Stanley.

Originally from Hong Kong, Stephen’s early fascination with global finance led him to earn both a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA from Portland State University. His life reflects the same equilibrium he values in his work — devotion to his wife and two children, curiosity about the world, and an enduring appreciation for fine cuisine, travel, and the quiet rhythm of a badminton court.
Securities Agent: NE, CO, PA, NY, NV, AZ, TN, TX, FL, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Charlotte Lee

Thoughtful and deliberate, Charlotte Lee approaches each relationship with patience and depth of understanding. Her work reflects the belief that meaningful financial guidance begins with attentive listening and thoughtful collaboration.

Charlotte began her financial services career in 2006 with a regional firm before joining Wells Fargo in 2009. Over nearly two decades in the industry, she has developed a disciplined and balanced approach that combines analytical precision with an appreciation for the personal dimensions of wealth. In 2025, she and Stephen Lo joined Morgan Stanley, continuing their commitment to thoughtful stewardship and enduring client relationships.

Born in Hong Kong, Charlotte moved to California’s Bay Area at age fifteen and later earned dual degrees in Finance and Marketing from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She maintains close ties to family in Hong Kong and Taiwan and enjoys traveling with her two children, often exploring new destinations together.
Securities Agent: CA, NV, NY, TN, PA, CO, AZ, TX, NE, FL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Vicky Xiao

Attentive and gracious, Vicky Xiao ensures that every client interaction is handled with care, precision, and understanding. She combines attention to detail with genuine empathy—an approach that fosters trust and strengthens long-term relationships.

Vicky supports client families in the day-to-day management of their financial lives, coordinating account administration, reporting, and service needs with consistency and warmth.

Born in China, Vicky graduated from California State University, East Bay, in 2006. She and her husband are avid travelers who enjoy exploring both Asia and Europe.
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
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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Peninsula SC 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 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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3When 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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4Morgan 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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5Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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6Morgan 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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7Morgan 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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8Morgan 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.
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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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)