Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2025

We are delighted to share that Forbes' latest release of annual ranking for Missouri's Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams has recognized The St. Louis Group.

​This accolade is a reflection of our commitment to you, our clients. We strive to deliver a high quality of service, personal attention, and customized solutions to help you navigate a complex financial world. Your ongoing support and belief in our team has been instrumental in reaching this milestone.

We remain dedicated to providing exceptional wealth management services. We want to thank you for your relationship and continued loyalty. Without your support, none of this would have been possible.

2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams: [Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 3/31/23–3/31/24.
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Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

INDIVIDUAL PLANS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIKE YOU

Goals you set today will evolve over time. Our process is designed to evolve with them - and with the changing circumstances of your life. Holistic in its approach, our planning process will encompass all the elements of your financial and personal life, making sure they align with your current and future goals.

Leveraging a sophisticated suite of analytical tools, as well as decades of industry experience, our team can help you take charge of your financial future and achieve your goals.
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    Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)
    CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first. That’s why a CFP® professional can help increase consumers’ confidence today, while working to provide them with a more secure tomorrow.

    Brian, Steven, and Gregory hold this designation.
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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, holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of an individual’s financial life, including investments and cash management needs.
    Click Here to Learn More
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    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley’s Spending and Budgeting tool. This tool helps 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.
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Our Suite of Services

As your wealth grows, so does its complexities and the resources needed to manage it effectively. We leverage our experience and relationships to deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to your needs. We look forward to speaking with you to understand your challenges, so we may map out a strategy to achieve your particular priorities and goals.
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    Financial Planning
    Every relationship begins with an understanding of your specific story: your goals, past experiences, values and risk tolerance. We help you better understand your current situation and create a powerful vision of your financial future.
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    Wealth Management
    Wealth management brings all the dimensions of your life together. We listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career and your legacy goals to develop a comprehensive strategy that is uniquely yours.
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    Retirement Planning
    One of our key areas of focus is helping you prepare for and thrive in retirement. From IRAs to RMDs, we manage the complexities of your comprehensive retirement plan assets, helping you easily transition to the next phase of your life with security and confidence.
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    Professional Portfolio Management
    Managing an investment portfolio should be a consultative, disciplined process that balances your attitudes about investing with careful analysis of the financial markets. Working together, we create a customized strategy that applies long-held investment principles to help your assets appreciate appropriately or generate cash-flow or income as you require.
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    Cash Management Services
    Creating adequate cash flow and securing liquidity are the day-to-day aspects of implementing a financial strategy. We help you meet your personal cash management and borrowing needs, while thinking strategically about how specific approaches may affect current and long-term costs and taxes.
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    Estate Planning & Philanthropic Strategies
    Delivering an estate to the next generation or favorite charity requires more attention than families often realize. We coordinate with your estate and tax professionals to align your legacy goals with the appropriate asset titling and beneficiary designation requirements, incorporating best practices to help enhance results.
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Our Story

At The St. Louis Group at Morgan Stanley, we seek to deliver exceptional service, unparalleled resources, and tailored advice to help our clients envision and achieve their life goals. Our most deeply held principle is that our clients’ interests come first. We go beyond financial solutions to develop relationships with our clients. This approach positions us as the primary financial advisor for our clients. In order to help our clients meet their financial objectives and to build and protect wealth, we start with their unique personal goals. Through analysis, collaboration, and planning, we offer effective approaches to achieve those goals. As a part of our defined investment process, we work with each client’s accounting and legal professionals to coordinate an investment strategy best suited to specific investment goals. After gaining an understanding of the risk clients are willing to assume in pursuit of those goals, combined with a clear understanding of expectations, we implement an investment strategy. A key component of our process is to provide investment services and consultation to help families pass wealth to future generations, without the unsettling effects on children, grandchildren, and other heirs.

    Digital Tools

    Our goal is simple: “To be the firm where the most talented advisors in the industry leverage cutting-edge technology and deliver customized wealth management solutions to their clients and their families to enable them to achieve their life goals.” The Firm strives to ensure it serves clients on market-leading technology platforms that are resilient, safe, efficient, smart, fast and flexible.
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      Morgan Stanley Online
      Morgan Stanley Online digital capabilities and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App provide clients with access to their account information, enriched reporting tools, several cash management solutions and robust market research. The Morgan Stanley Mobile App provides clients with access to their accounts in just a few taps.
      Morgan Stanley Online Log-In
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      LifeView
      We use LifeView to create financial plans and goals analysis to help our clients achieve their objectives. LifeView allows us to better understand and analyze your needs. It also aids our clients in understanding how much of an impact that the sequence or timing of their investment returns can have on the ability to achieve their goals. LifeView can analyze clients' current investments and financial situation. Specially, LifeView is used to review your major life goals including retirement, making major purchases, saving for your children’s or grandchildren’s education, and funding major events.
      Click Here to Learn More
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      eSign
      eSign 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 eSign — all you need is a valid email address and phone number.

      The eSign Portal allows branch personnel to create and send forms to clients for their electronic signature, track the status of packages that have been sent, and take action on forms that clients have signed electronically and returned.
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      eAuthorization
      eAuthorization allows clients to electronically authorize domestic and international, one-time/recurring transactions through Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.

      - Fast: Clients can quickly authorize any transaction with one click.
      - Convenient: Clients manage their authorizations from anywhere using Morgan Stanley Online or Morgan Stanley Mobile.
      - Secure: By using a secure login, eAuthorizations are safely made through online and the mobile application.
      - Simple: The branch receives the client’s request, inputs the transaction, the client approves the request, and the transaction is executed.
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      eDelivery
      eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other Firm documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.

      Currently, documents available through eDelivery include statements, trade confirmations and prospectuses, general correspondence, selected Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved tax documents, syndicate offerings, shareholder communications, and portfolio reports.
      eDelivery
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      Data Security
      Our highest priority is keeping your information protected. Morgan Stanley dedicates significant resources to protecting your assets and personal information.

      -Strong encryption protocols designed to protect your data.
      - Continuous monitoring to help detect and prevent fraud.
      - Routine testing of our systems and security protocols.
      - Independent review by outside security firms.
      Data Security
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      Total Wealth View
      The ability to view all of your assets together provides the opportunity to advise on your Morgan Stanley accounts with your entire financial picture in mind.
      Total Wealth View
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      Digital Vault
      Keeping important documents and financial records organized and readily available is one the best gifts you can give those you love. In the event of catastrophe or serious illness, disability or death, your Family Records Organizer can immediately provide vital, timely information to both your family and professional advisors. The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you and your clients to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
      Digital Vault

    Location

    14805 N Outer Forty Rd
    Ste 200
    Chesterfield, MO 63017
    US
    Direct:
    (636) 733-7668(636) 733-7668

    Meet The St. Louis Group

    About Dennis Sappington

    Dennis Sappington has over 30 years of wealth management experience and is the senior member of The St. Louis Group. During his career, Dennis has successfully advised high net worth clients and managed businesses. He is a multiple year Five Star Wealth Manager award winner.

    Dennis began his career in 1993 at Dean Witter, a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm, as a Financial Advisor where he achieved Rookie Broker of the Year. He subsequently earned the National Sales Director Award and received President’s Club honors for several years. Dennis advanced to become a branch manager after only three years in the industry. He later worked at UBS and Wachovia Securities, a predecessor firm of Wells Fargo, where he received leadership awards. Dennis led the team back to Morgan Stanley in 2014. He is a member of Morgan Stanley’s Century Club, which recognizes the firm’s top financial advisors.

    In addition to his wealth management experience, Dennis has owned, operated and sold thriving businesses. He draws upon his diverse knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to build the successful business model that our team and clients enjoy today.

    Dennis has earned his Series 3, 7, 8, 31, 63, and 65 licenses and is registered in 34 states.

    Dennis and his wife, Karin, have two children, Kristen and Erik, and three grandchildren, Caleb, Eloise and Elijah. He enjoys golfing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends at “The Lake” and their Iowa Farm. He is an avid boater, holding a United States Coast Guard approved 100 Ton Master Captain’s license, and is a licensed pilot.

    2012, 2014, 2017 - 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
    Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012, 2014, 2017 - 2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
    Securities Agent: OH, CA, UT, MN, MI, MA, CO, OR, NV, NJ, IN, AR, ME, KY, KS, AL, WA, NC, GA, MT, FL, MS, TX, SC, IL, IA, AZ, OK, VT, NY, NE, MO, WI, VA, TN, PA, CT; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 826779
    CA Insurance License #: 0C33216
    AR Insurance License #: 914297

    About Brian Watkins

    Brian Watkins, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) is a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Management Director. He has 22 years of wealth management experience. Brian is a member of Morgan Stanley’s Century Club, which recognizes the firm’s top financial advisors, and is a multiple year Five Star Wealth Manager award winner.

    Brian began his career in finance at Morgan Stanley in 2001. He had previously worked at Lindenwood University from 1992-1999, where he directed the Leadership Center. In 1999, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance National Office hired Brian as Associate Director of Program Services to consult universities around the country. From 2005 – 2014, Brian worked with his team at Wells Fargo Advisors, where he was recognized as a Premier Advisor.

    Brian earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Truman State University in 1991. In 1996, he received a Master of Business Administration from Lindenwood University. He holds Series 7, 31, and 66 registrations.

    For 10 years, Brian served on the executive board, most recently as President, at BCI, Inc. From 1996-2007, Brian was Director of the Mike Bush Baseball Camp for the Hearing Impaired. Brian also served as President of Messiah Lutheran Church and School. Brian was selected to serve as Associate Dean for the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance’s National Management Conferences in 1998 and 2000. St. Charles Business Magazine recognized Brian in the 2005 Class of Forty Professionals Under Forty.* He was honored as Rotarian of the Year for the St. Charles Sunrise Rotary Club in 2005. Brian is currently a Founders’ Club member with Hearts & Hope, a company that provides schooling to underprivileged and orphans in Uganda, Africa.

    He and his wife, Shannon, have two children, Ellie and Drew. Brian enjoys family time, traveling, golf, running and music.

    *Source: St. Charles Business Magazine, “40 Under 40”, 2005. The award is based upon a recipient’s application and not upon any qualitative and quantitative criteria relating specifically to one’s position as a Financial Advisor. As such the award is not representative of any client’s experience nor is it indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. A panel of judges reviews the applications which include, among other things, community service, professional goals and leadership. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney nor any of their Financial Advisors pay a fee to the St. Charles Business Magazine in exchange for the rating.

    Disclosure:
    2012 - 2014, 2016 - 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
    Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012 - 2014, 2016 - 2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
    Securities Agent: TX, NY, KY, CT, UT, MT, MA, NC, IA, WA, VT, TN, CA, AZ, AR, NJ, MN, AL, VA, MS, IN, GA, CO, SC, NV, NE, FL, WI, PA, MO, MI, KS, IL, OR, OH, ME, OK; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 1294008
    CA Insurance License #: 0F47442
    AR Insurance License #: 6811658

    About Steven Ostrander

    Steve Ostrander has 37 years of wealth management experience and has been with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms since 1999.

    Steve focuses on working with clients to create long-term, personalized financial plans as well as managing portfolio design and investment selection. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) professional, he has held to the highest recognized standards of competence and ethical practice. He has received the Five Star Wealth Manager award on numerous occasions, most recently in 2024.

    He graduated from Missouri State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He holds series 7, 31, 63 and 65 registrations, Life and Health insurance licenses, and has a Financial Planning Specialist designation. He is licensed in multiple states.

    Steve lives in Wildwood, MO with his wife, Sue, and spends most of his free time golfing, volunteering, or visiting with grandchildren. Steve and Sue also enjoy traveling and attending sporting/musical events.

    2012 - 2017, 2019, 2021 - 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
    Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012 - 2017, 2019, 2021 - 2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
    Securities Agent: IL, KS, NV, AZ, NE, FL, NM, MO, MT, MA, OH, CO, CA, VA, TX, SC, NY, MN, IA, UT, AL, WI, OR, NC, ME, GA, CT, AR, OK, KY, IN, WA, VT, PA, NJ, MS, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 1373252
    CA Insurance License #: 0C98983
    AR Insurance License #: 861761

    About Nicholas Coyne

    Nick is a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley with over seven years of experience. Nick joined Morgan Stanley in 2016 as a Wealth Advisor Associate. He transitioned in 2018 to the role of Financial Advisor Associate and is now a Financial Advisor. Nick focuses on working with clients to create long-term, personalized financial plans to help clients achieve their goals. He is a Five Star Wealth Manager award winner.

    Nick spearheads the Group’s client financial planning efforts. He also assists the Group with its technology, digital enhancement, and marketing efforts.

    He graduated from Missouri State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Planning. He has earned his Series 7, and Series 66 registrations. Nick was born and raised in Southwest Illinois, and currently resides in Columbia, Illinois with his wife Kelcie. He enjoys traveling, boating, spending time with family and friends, and playing sports. Nick is an avid runner and ran his first half-marathon in 2022.

    2023 & 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
    Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2023, 2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
    Securities Agent: KS, IL, OR, VT, VA, MS, KY, NY, MT, GA, NC, MI, SC, MO, IA, FL, NJ, ME, IN, CO, AZ, TX, PA, NV, MA, CT, CA, AL, OK, WI, OH, NE, AR, WA, UT, MN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
    NMLS#: 1813218
    AR Insurance License #: 18769454

    About Gregory Gilsinn

    A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) professional, Financial Advisor, and member of the Morgan Stanley family since 2005, Greg provides a wide range of financial planning services to his clients, ranging from retirement forecasting to estate planning strategies. He enjoys working with families and business owners alike, guiding them as they plan for the various phases of their financial lives. In addition to financial planning, he assists in portfolio management construction, analysis and monitoring. Greg is a designated Portfolio Manager with Morgan Stanley.

    Throughout his career, Greg has been committed to professional development. This enables him to remain on the forefront of the latest and most effective wealth management strategies and to continually strive to create a better client experience. After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. degree in Financial Planning, Greg earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. He has furthered his professional experience by earning his Series 7, 31, 63 and 66 securities licenses, and is a Life, Health and Variable Annuity licensee.

    Greg and his wife, Jackie, and their two daughters, Evie and Josie, are active members of St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church in Sappington, Missouri. Favorite activities outside of work include playing soccer, golf, coaching sports teams and spending quality time with family.
    Securities Agent: CT, WA, VA, MS, MI, GA, OH, KY, NC, MN, AL, MO, IN, FL, AZ, OR, NV, NE, KS, NJ, IL, AR, WI, TX, SC, MA, CA, VT, PA, MT, OK, UT, ME, IA, CO, NY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 1398736
    CA Insurance License #: 0M41106
    AR Insurance License #: 9146454

    About Sally Ruffalo

    Sally Ruffalo has over 37 years of experience supporting wealth advisory activities. She has worked closely with Dennis Sappington nearly her entire career.

    Sally started her career in the investment industry in 1985 at EF Hutton in Sioux City, Iowa in the operations department. She then worked at Dean Witter, a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm, from 1988 to 1993. From 1993 to 2002, she was the Branch Manager Assistant for Dennis Sappington with Prudential and UBS. She later worked at Wachovia Securities, now Wells Fargo Advisors, and in 2014 she returned to Morgan Stanley as a Senior Client Associate.

    Sally received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Executive Secretarial Practices from Western Iowa Tech Community College. In 2013, she received a Service Distinction Award from Wells Fargo Advisors.

    Sally and her husband, Rick, have two Shih Tzu puppies. They enjoy spending time with family, gardening, and watching St. Louis Cardinal Baseball.

    About Jackie Etling

    Jackie started in the financial industry in 1994 with Wedgewood Partners. She continued her work in the financial industry with Millennium Financial Group, UBS, and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter before moving to Wachovia Securities, which is now Wells Fargo Advisors, in 2005. In 2014, she returned to Morgan Stanley and is now a Senior Registered Associate. Jackie recently earned her series 65, adding to her series 7 and 63 registrations.

    Jackie graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting. Now an empty nester, she currently resides in Dardenne Prairie, MO with her husband Rick. They have two adult children, Tyler and Kelsey. They enjoy the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family. Jackie also volunteers at Duo Dogs, a group that breeds, raises and trains Labrador Retrievers to work as service animals.

    About Ashley Mahon

    Ashley, a Client Service Associate, has been with Morgan Stanley since 2021 after spending some time at Edward Jones. Prior to moving into the financial industry, Ashley was an elementary school teacher. She graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia.

    Ashley is from Saint Louis and enjoys baking, running, and spending time with her husband, Caleb, and son, Mason.

    The Power of Partnerships

    By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

    About Greg Cole

    Greg Cole is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Missouri.

    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.

    Greg began his career in financial services in 1999, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2011. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Regional Banking Consultant at Wells Fargo Advisors. Greg has also served as an Area Manager with JP Morgan Chase and was a Senior Mortgage Consultant in the Smith Barney division at CitiMortgage.

    Greg is a graduate of Rockhurst University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He and his family currently reside in O’Fallon, Missouri. Outside of the office, Greg enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
    NMLS#: 801927

    About Sarah Ott

    Sarah Ott, CFP® is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth
    Management offices in the St. Louis area. She is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients'
    and prospects' financial planning needs.

    Sarah began her career in Financial Services in 2014 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to
    her current position, she was a Financial Advisor and Director of Financial Planning Operations at
    Thrivent Financial.

    Sarah graduated from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
    and holds her Certified Financial Planner® designation. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys traveling with
    her family, trying new restaurants, volunteering at her church, and attending concerts and sporting
    events.

    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 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 visit us at
    http://www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.

    About Heaven Robinson

    Heaven Robinson is a Planning Associate at Morgan Stanley providing dedicated financial planning support to Advisors and their teams. Operating as an extension of the FA/Team, she collaborates with clients to discover and define goals that matter most to them. Leveraging state of the art technology, she will evaluate various alternatives and their potential outcomes to help clients confidently choose the appropriate course of action. Heaven provides expertise across a wide suite of Morgan Stanley planning tools designed to assist in the areas of investment accumulation, retirement, education, major purchase, cash flow, risk management, tax efficiency, and wealth transfer planning.

    She earned her undergraduate degree from California State University, Los Angles and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Heaven is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and currently resides in Alpharetta, GA.
    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.

    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 St. Louis 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 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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    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.

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    3Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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    4Morgan 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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    5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
    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 and other legal matters.

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    6Morgan 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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    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 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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    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.

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    10Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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    11Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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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    13Investors 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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    14Morgan 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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    Awards Disclosures
    CRC 6491812 (04/2024)