

The Prospector Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
Welcome
For more than 23 years, the Prospector Group at Morgan Stanley has helped empower our clients to achieve their financial goals in today's dynamic global marketplace. We focus on building lasting relationships, understanding your financial life goals, and serving as dedicated professionals in critical decisions. Through our global wealth management group and select partnerships, we deliver customized wealth management strategies to families, corporations, entrepreneurs, and senior executives.
We take great pride in helping multiple generations of families living across the country that have been with us for several decades.
Getting from where you are today to where you want to be down the road requires many interconnected financial decisions — from investments to employer stock options, taxes to estate planning strategies. Complex financial situations require a more comprehensive planning approach – helping to maintain your momentum toward your goals.
Our team's exclusive focus has been helping clients make the transition from their primary career to a fulfilling and comfortable retirement. As your guide through this process, we will share more than three decades of knowledge and experience to help you maintain the income you need to support your retirement objectives, prepare for unexpected events, and give you confidence in your potential to reach your goals.
As you begin your retirement journey, we would be honored to be your guide through this rewarding and challenging period.
- The Prospector Group was named to the 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams. The list was compiled by SHOOK Research, which uses quantitative and qualitative data, including interviews, to rank teams. Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/22-3/31/24.
- 401(k) Rollovers
- Asset Management
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote1
- Corporate Cash Management
- Corporate Retirement PlansFootnote2
- Executive Financial ServicesFootnote3
- Financial PlanningFootnote4
- Life InsuranceFootnote5
- Retirement PlanningFootnote6
- Sustainable InvestingFootnote7
- Wealth ManagementFootnote8
- Divorce Financial AnalysisFootnote9
- Planning for Individuals with Special Needs
Financial Planning Questionnaire
We have access to a sophisticated suite of tools to help you implement the Morgan Stanley wealth management process designed to help you achieve your goals.
To begin your complementary Financial Planning Analysis, please click the link below to complete our Financial Planning Questionnaire.
2024 & 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team

The Prospector Group was named to the 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams. The list was compiled by SHOOK Research, which uses quantitative and qualitative data, including interviews, to rank teams.
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/22-3/31/24.
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure.html
Location
Meet The Prospector Group
About Mark J. Banholzer
2002 – Present: Morgan Stanley*
Senior Vice President
Financial Advisor
Park City, UT
1998-2002: Town Bank
Assistant Vice President
Delafield, WI
Education
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2001, Master's in Business Administration
Santa Clara University - Leavey School of Business, 1993, Bachelor in Finance
Distinctions
2005 & 2006 Blue Chip Award - Smith Barney
NMLS#: 1326711
CA Insurance License #: 0D97388
About Brian Kahn
2013 – Present: Morgan Stanley*
Vice President, Financial Advisor
Park City, UT
2009 – Present: Deer Valley Resort
Mountain Host and Hiking Guide
Park City, UT
2009 – 2013: Jupiter Peak Financial
Owner
Park City, UT
Education
University of Colorado-Boulder, 1998, Bachelor in Marketing and Tourism Management
NMLS#: 1253089
CA Insurance License #: OJO5957
About Kevin Shields
2018 – Present: Morgan Stanley*
Financial Advisor
Park City, UT
2016 – 2018: Goldman Sachs
Analyst
Salt Lake City, UT
Education
University of Utah – David Eccles School of Business, 2015, Bachelor’s Degree, Finance, Magna Cum Laude
Distinctions
2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Pacesetter's Club
NMLS#: 1758113
About Jeffrey Hansen
2022 – Present: Morgan Stanley
Financial Advisor
Park City, UT
2021 – 2022: Morgan Stanley
Estates and Inheritor Services
South Jordan, UT
2018 – 2021: Morgan Stanley
Asset Movement Team
South Jordan, UT
Education
Brigham Young University, 2023, Bachelor’s Degree, Business Management
Distinctions
2025 Pacesetter's Club
NMLS#: 2533772
About Patrick Hallady
2024 – Present: Morgan Stanley
Registered Client Service Associate
Park City, UT
2022 – 2024: Morgan Stanley
Estates and Inheritor Services
South Jordan, UT
2022: Wells Fargo Advisors
Trade Service Representative
Salt Lake City, UT
Education
Auburn University
2009-2013

Contact Mark J. Banholzer

Contact Brian Kahn

Contact Kevin Shields

Contact Jeffrey Hansen
The Power of Partnerships
About Scott Knudsen
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Scott began his career in financial services in 2001, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2006 as a High Net Worth Lending Advisor. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Credit Analyst at Merrill Lynch.
Scott is a graduate of the University of Utah, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Park City, Utah with his family. Outside of the office, enjoys hiking, mountain biking, skiing and camping.
Portfolio Insights
Mosaic
Financial Wellness
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
2When 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.
3Morgan 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.
4Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
6When 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.
7The 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.
8Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
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.
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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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*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures