

The Strand Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
The Strand Group
We believe that your unique goals and objectives should be at the heart of your financial decisions and strategy. At its core, our team strives to develop a multi-generational wealth creation and wealth preservation approach that seeks to enhance, organize and simplify your financial life. We will provide you and your family with solutions and a framework that is highly focused on your needs. We draw upon our years of experience to deliver what we feel is both timely and tactical advice to help guide you along your financial path.
Our Designations & Recognitions:
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.
Ben holds this designation.
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)- The CIMA® certification is the peak international, technical portfolio construction program for investment consultants, analysts, financial advisors and wealth management professionals.
Jason holds this designation.
The Strand Group Named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2025*- Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams highlights more than 2,800 teams across the country who were nominated by their firms—and then researched, interviewed and assigned a ranking within their respective states.
Morgan Stanley's Master's Club 2023, 2024- Jason Cunningham CIMA® was named to Morgan Stanley's prestigious Master's Club, an elite group composed of the Firm's top Financial Advisors. The appointment recognizes Jason's consistent creativity and excellence in providing a wide range of investment products and wealth management services to his clients.
*Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 3/31/23-3/31/24
Upcoming Firm Events
We hope you will join us for this upcoming event.
AI Revolution: The Breakthrough, the Buzz and a Blueprint for the Future
We invite you to watch the replay from our thought-provoking conversation on artificial intelligence (AI) with James Dyett, OpenAI's Head of Enterprise & Strategic Sales, Keith Weiss, Morgan Stanley's Head of U.S. Software Research Jeff McMillan, Morgan Stanley's Head of Firmwide Artificial Intelligence, recorded on Monday, March 24.
Additional Replays
Location
Meet The Strand Group
About Jason Cunningham
Jason was born and raised in southern California. He attended schools in Santa Barbara and San Diego with a focus on Economics and Business Management. He also received his professional Certification of Investment Management (CIMA®) at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. He studied portfolio management and consulting at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business under some of the best minds in the field of economics. Jason and his team focus on what they believe are the 3 main tenants of managing wealth – to create and grow wealth, to protect and preserve it, and to provide the most tax advantageous strategies to distribute wealth during one’s life.
When not in the office, Jason spends as much time as he can with family. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, and has two children. James, his son, attends Loyola High School and just recently committed to Santa Clara University to play baseball. Jordyn, his daughter, is a soccer enthusiast and has him wrapped around her finger. They all love to travel, try different foods, and cheer on the Los Angeles Dodgers!
NMLS#: 1265274
CA Insurance License #: 0D62296
About Ben Laetsch
A native of Los Angeles, Ben grew up in Palos Verdes Estates, CA and graduated from USC with a degree in International Relations (Global Business). After graduating, he spent 6 months living in Buenos Aires, Argentina tutoring business professionals in English. During that time, he explored 4 countries and numerous cities in South America, all while enhancing his Spanish skills.
In his free time, Ben enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending sporting events and traveling. To travel to far-off locations, one of Ben’s hobbies includes collecting and using credit card points to find deals on otherwise expensive flights and hotels. So far, he has visited 22 countries and territories and has plans to see many more.
NMLS#: 1824432

Contact Jason Cunningham

Contact Ben Laetsch
The Power of Partnerships
About Casey Morris
Associate Private Bankers partner with Private Bankers and 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.
Casey began his career in financial services in 2019 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Commercial Banker at Wells Fargo. He also served as a Market Consultant at the Hanover Research Council.
Casey is a graduate of George Mason University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He lives in Arlington, Virginia. Outside of the office, Casey enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing golf.
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
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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
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.
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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.
4Morgan 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.
5Morgan 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.
6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
8Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
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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.
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Awards Disclosures