The Schwartz Group

The Schwartz Group works primarily with High Net Worth families helping them preserve the wealth they have worked so hard to create. Our planning based approach allows us to build deeper relationships with our clients, helping us to anticipate their needs as we work together to reach their goals.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

THE CFP® PROFESSIONAL - THE SCHWARTZ GROUP

Individuals certified by the CFP® Board have taken the extra step to demonstrate commitment and professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP® certification process that includes demanding education, examination, experience, and ethical requirements. These four cornerstones set the foundation for the CFP® professional’s ability in helping clients achieve their goals. The Schwartz Group's diverse skillsets can help can help clients navigate the complicated financial factors in their life. See below for more information about the CFP® designation and how we can help:
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    Education
    The CFP® professional must develop theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing 2 to 3 years of comprehensive coursework at an institution of higher learning approved by the CFP® Board. Once obtaining the CFP® trademark, their education does not stop, as continued education is part of the recertification process.
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    Examination
    The CFP® professional must pass the 7 hour comprehensive Certification Exam, which tests abilities to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations. The exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.
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    Experience
    All CFP® professionals are required to complete several years of experience related to financial planning services prior to earning the right to use the CFP® trademarks.
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    Ethics
    The CFP® professional is obligated to uphold the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism, and diligence as outline in the CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics. The Rules of Conduct require the CFP® professional to put the client’s interest first at all times.

A FINANCIAL PLAN MADE FOR YOU

Our wealth management process begins with you, your investment objectives and your financial goals. Holistic in its approach, it may encompass all the elements of your financial life - your investments and your cash management needs - making sure they align with your goals and wealth management plan.

At Morgan Stanley, we understand that the goals you set today will evolve over time. Your plan will evolve with them - and with the changing circumstances of your life.

Leveraging a sophisticated suite of analytic tools, as well as the extensive resources of Morgan Stanley, we can help you take charge of your financial future an achieve your goals. Below, we have provided some links that will introduce you to a few of the tools that we use, please click to learn more about them. We hope that you will return often to learn more about topics impacting your wealth.
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    LifeView - Intelligent Planning
    LifeView is a suite of planning tools that includes goal-specific analysis that we can use with our clients to create a realistic, integrated strategy that incorporates the various aspects of an individual’s financial life, including investments and cash management needs. Fill out the questionnaire to get started talking with us about creating a personalized strategy for your long-term goals.
    Complete Questionnaire Here
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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.
    Start Planning Now
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    Aladdin - Intelligent Risk Management
    There’s a chance your portfolio may be at risk, but how you manage that risk is what matters.

    Portfolio Risk Platform – Powered by Aladdin is a risk management platform that provides comprehensive risk estimation and reporting across a broad range of asset classes and security types. This platform provides both an overview and a detailed view to better enable risk to be effectively monitored and managed.
    Learn More Here
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    Strategy - Intelligent Withdrawals
    Building wealth is a means to an end. Taxes can eat up a significant portion of your assets upon withdrawal. This is why it's vital to look at your entire portfolio and coordinate liquidation to help reduce the impact of taxes and potentially improve investment results.

    The decisions your make today can help you save for years to come. Use the resources found in the link below to help get started.
    View Tax-Aware Strategies Here
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    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley’s Spending and Budgeting tool. These tools help advisors monitor client cash flows across both internal and external accounts. It also tracks spending patterns and produces an income and expense analysis to help clients achieve their goals by adjusting their spending behavior when necessary.
    Start Using the Tool Today

Location

233 S Wacker Dr
Ste 8600
Chicago, IL 60606
US
Direct:
(312) 443-6222(312) 443-6222

Meet The Schwartz Group

About Mark Schwartz

Mark is a Managing Director in Wealth Management who has helped clients navigate market cycles during his more than 30 years in the industry. His areas of focus include personalized financial planning and portfolio construction for Ultra High Net Worth families. Mark has been recognized as one of the top 1,200 financial advisors in America by Barron’s five times. Mark is a past president of The National Kidney foundation of Illinois and currently serves on the executive committee.  He also serves on the advisory board of the Tulane University College of Liberal Arts.  Mark earned his Bachelor degree in Political Science from Tulane University and a J.D from the DePaul University College of Law.
Securities Agent: CO, PA, NV, NH, IN, GA, FL, MT, MO, IL, CT, WA, ME, LA, WI, PR, OH, NY, MD, KY, VT, TN, NM, TX, AZ, VA, MA, SC, NC, MI, DC, CA, RI, NJ, AL, OR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1834586

About Matt Schwartz

Matt is a Certified Financial Planner™ who has been in wealth management since 2010.  Using a planning based approach Matt assists the team in creating individual portfolios and strategies that fit each family’s long term goals. Matt graduated From A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University with a BS in Finance. Matt lives in Highland Park, IL with his wife Emily and their three daughters.
Securities Agent: CO, KY, VT, NH, IN, WA, RI, NY, DC, CT, CA, TX, TN, OH, MO, MI, IL, IA, MA, LA, AZ, AL, NV, PR, OR, NJ, NC, FL, WI, VA, SC, MT, MD, ME, PA, GA, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1834566

About Mary Jane Kaminski-Messere

Mary Jane studied nursing in Lublin, Poland and at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. She began working in the finance industry in 1998 with Mark Schwartz. Together with Mark and Matt, they joined Morgan Stanley in 2015 and she is currently a Wealth Management Associate. Mary Jane supports our clients’ in all capacities daily, with a focus on providing a first-class experience for the families we work with. Mary Jane oversees all service and operations for the team as well as trade execution and financial planning.

Mary Jane currently resides in her hometown of Hickory Hills, IL with her husband. Together they enjoy traveling, especially to visit their grandchildren, cruising and riding their Harley Davidson. Mary Jane is very active in Special Olympics, Autism Speaks and K-9 for Warriors, supporting fund raising efforts, organizing motorcycle runs and charity events.

Mary Jane currently holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses and also speaks, reads and writes fluent Polish.
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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Schwartz 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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3Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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4Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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5Morgan 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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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

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

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)