My Story and Services

As your Financial Advisor, I can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together, I can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You will have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Services Include
Securities Agent: IL, AL, OK, MI, DC, CA, AR, VA, TN, OR, OH, NJ, MT, MS, ID, AZ, NE, IN, HI, AK, LA, WA, MD, KS, GA, CT, NY, CO, WY, VT, SC, NC, MA, KY, IA, FL, SD, PA, NM, WI, UT, TX, NV, MO, MN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 2474429
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

The CFP® Professional - Thomas M. Batson, Certified Financial Planner

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. Tom's diverse skillsets 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.

Our Suite of Services

The resources required to efficiently manage your wealth also increase in complexity as it climbs in size. To create creative tactics that are suited to your demands, we draw on our experience and relationships. To better understand your difficulties and develop a plan to meet your specific priorities and objectives, we are looking forward to discussing with you.
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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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    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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    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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    Alternative Investments
    Our ability to provide prospective clients with a wide range of alternative investments to examine, including private equities, exchange funds, hedge funds, and real estate investments, is made possible by Morgan Stanley's extensive global network. Your personal objectives and level of investing risk tolerance inform our recommendations.
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    Cash Management Services
    Daily parts of putting a financial strategy into action include generating enough cash flow and securing liquidity. We work with you to satisfy your individual borrowing and cash management needs while carefully considering how various strategies can impact short- and long-term costs and taxes.
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    Estate Planning & Philanthropic Strategies
    More care must be taken than most think in order to transfer an estate to the next generation or a preferred charity. We work with your estate planning and tax experts to match your legacy objectives with the proper asset titling and beneficiary designation requirements, utilizing best practices to improve outcomes.

Monthly Outlooks & Updates

In order for my clients to be up to date on the most recent market trends, assessments, and outlooks, I firmly believe that I should offer them as many resources as I can. The resources listed below offer in-depth research on recent market developments and financial issues that are having an impact on the business world today.
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    Thoughts On The Market Podcast
    Every week, Mike Wilson shares his thoughts on the factors influencing the markets and how to distinguish between the signal and the noise. Check out his most recent episode and those of his colleagues from Morgan Stanley Research by listening to his most current one.
    Listen Here
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    Global Investment Committee Weekly Research Report
    The Global Investment Committee's Weekly Report provides an in depth look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income on a weekly basis.
    GIC Weekly
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    Your Guide to Tax-Efficient Planning
    Making wise tax choices now will enable you to save money in the future. For your financial plan, take into account these clever tax solutions.
    Learn More

MODERN WEALTH DIGITAL TOOLS

The wide range of digital tools provided by Morgan Stanley have been carefully compiled to aid in enhancing each component of your financial portfolio. Learn more about a few of the many resources we offer our clients for contemporary wealth management.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
    Register for Morgan Stanley Online Today
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    eDelivery
    Sign up for eDelivery today and start receiving email notifications as soon as your account documents are available on Morgan Stanley Online or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. It's quick, convenient & secure.
    Enroll Today
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    Financial Planning
    Morgan Stanley Financial Planning can show you a single, comprehensive snapshot of your finances. We can help you create a wealth plan that’s adaptable to the different stages of your life using our award winning tools- Goals Planning System (GPS) and LifeView.
    Morgan Stanley Goals-Based Wealth Management
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    Total Tax 365
    Taxes can be a substantial drag on investment returns. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers access to a broad range of tax-efficient strategies to help you integrate tax planning into your investment process all year long, maximize portfolio after-tax return potential and help keep more of what you earn.
    Learn More

WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.

    Equity Solutions

    Equity ownership is a powerful motivator. Streamline equity management through our leading-edge technology and provide global audit-ready reporting and insights, alongside customizable participant experiences to engage and educate your employees on how to make the most of their benefits. Our global solutions support private and public companies at any stage of growth.

    • Equity Administration and Financial Reporting
    • Liquidity Events
    • 409A Valuation Services and Cap Table Management

    Learn more
    Retirement

    For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future—it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools. Through our consultative process, we strive to assist with the management of your fiduciary responsibilities and risk, simplify plan management, and help you improve retirement readiness for your employees.

    • Defined Contribution Consulting
    • Solutions-Oriented Plans
    • Fiduciary Investment Oversight

    Learn more
    Deferred Compensation

    Access a range of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan services or pick the ones that best fit your needs. We provide recordkeeping and plan design, portfolio construction services, and plan education for your executive talent. We help you determine the appropriate plan design and inform a funding strategy through a needs-based assessment and consultative approach.

    Services include:

    • Recordkeeping and Plan Design
    • Portfolio Construction
    • Wealth Management Services
    Learn more
    Executive Services

    Our dedicated team provides concierge-level support for your executives' equity compensation plans, from 10b5-1 trading plans to form filing related to Rule 144 transactions, to access to wealth management and tax-optimization strategies, so helping them navigate their complex financial needs with greater confidence and certainty:

    • Equity Compensation Services
    • Equity Award Analysis
    • Specialized Solutions
    Learn more
    Saving and Giving

    Saving and Giving benefits can make a real difference in your employees' lives as they can support the things that matter most to them—like saving for education and repaying student loans. Show that you are committed to your employees' priorities with leading-edge solutions that help them chart a path toward financial well-being.

    • College Savings
    • Student Loan Repayment and Refinancing
    • Charitable Giving
    Learn more
    Financial Wellness

    We offer Financial Wellness with every solution we provide. Through a powerful combination of education, digital tools and guidance, Financial Wellness is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and empower their financial journey at every stage. Give your employees the confidence to take charge of their finances.

    • Financial Education
    • Digital Tools
    • Financial Guidance

    Learn more

Location

14850 N Scottsdale Rd
Suite 600
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
US
Direct:
(480) 922-7820(480) 922-7820

Meet My Team

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 Nikki Ranck

Nikki Ranck is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Arizona and New Mexico.

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.

Nikki began her career in financial services in 2006, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Senior Client Service Associate at JP Morgan’s Private Bank. She also served as a Mortgage Banker and Branch Manager at JP Morgan Chase, and a Service Manager and Personal Banker at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Nikki lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her family. Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
NMLS#: 1075581

About Alex Delgadillo

Alex is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Arizona and New Mexico He is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients’ and prospects’ financial planning needs.

Alex began his career in financial services in 2010, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Private Client Advisor for J.P. Morgan.

Alex graduated from Arizona State University and Tecnológico de Monterrey and holds his Certified Financial Planner™ designation. Alex lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his family. Outside of work, Alex enjoys film production, stand-up comedy, and tennis. Some organizations that he supports include the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, Phoenix Sister Cities, Detour Theatre Company, and Cowtown SKATE.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

This is a video content

Equity Compensation

Helping you make the most of your equity awards and better understand how it may fit into your your larger financial picture – today and tomorrow.

  • Vesting events
  • Option expirations
  • Restricted stock units
  • Tax implications

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
The Robots are Coming
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The Robots are Coming

Adam Jonas, Morgan Stanley?s Head of Global Autos and Shared Mobility Research, discusses the fast transition of artificial intelligence into the physical world in the form of humanoid robots.

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.

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 Thomas M. Batson today.
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 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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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’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 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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6Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
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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7Morgan 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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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.

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9When 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.

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10Morgan 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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11Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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12Morgan 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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13Morgan 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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14The 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.

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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)