Welcome

As you become more successful and your life as an auto dealer becomes more complex, careful investment planning and tailored financial advice become even more important to managing your assets at work and at home.

At The Touchstone Group, we understand these challenges all too well. Our clients are successful entrepreneurs just like you. They seek smart solutions that can help them simplify and streamline their finances.

One of the ways we can immediately assist focuses on your Reinsurance and Dealer-Owned Warranty (DOWC) accounts, which demand constant oversight to help ensure the long-term growth of the underlying assets. They also need a firm that offers the infrastructure to work with your insurer.

We are proud to work at Morgan Stanley, the only investment firm to provide the services and systems you need to manage your auto reinsurance business, while also providing other solutions to grow and preserve your personal wealth.

With offices in Kirkland, WA and clients all over the country, we are uniquely positioned to combine the vast resources of a global powerhouse with the intimate relationship you’d expect from a specialty investment boutique.

We look forward to speaking with you soon about how we can create a wealth management experience that is customized to your specific needs, goals and circumstances.

Forbes has just published its annual rankings of the nation's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors and Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, highlighting a select group of financial advisors they believe to be the future of our industry. We are pleased to share that Tara has been named to the Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2024 list. We are also pleased to share that both Tara and Christine have been named to the Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2024 list.

Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded August 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/30/23 - 3/30/24. Award Disclosures
Services Include
  • Wealth ManagementFootnote1
  • Asset Management
  • Corporate Cash Management
  • Business Succession PlanningFootnote2
  • Corporate Retirement PlansFootnote3
  • Sustainable InvestingFootnote4
  • Lending Products
  • Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote5
  • Trust Services*
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Our Clients

Our advisory practice is built on the development of deep and enduring relationships and the delivery of comprehensive wealth management services. We enjoy working with clients who value and respect our years of experience and collaborative approach.
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    Auto Dealerships . . .
    We have a long history of working with auto dealers locally and around country and are proud to be recognized as a leader in providing comprehensive services that help them better manage their Reinsurance and DOWC accounts.

    We also offer a comprehensive suite of services to manage their other business needs. These include:

    - Tailored lending services
    - Corporate retirement accounts
    - Investment banking
    - Insurance and liability planning
    - Cash management services
    - Business succession planning
    Comprehensive Solutions for You and Your Dealership
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    . . . And Their Families
    Often, we will also assist auto dealers with their personal wealth, especially if they are experiencing a significant life event, such as transitioning to retirement, losing a spouse or managing a divorce. These experiences require a seasoned advisory team who understands the complexities of these special situations and has the insights to achieve results.

    Here are some of the personal wealth management services we provide:

    - Wealth & Estate Planning
    - Business Partner Buyout
    - Retirement Planning
    - Trust Services
    - Education Funding

Our Process

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We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to investment management and financial planning. We listen carefully to what is important to you so we can build a customized plan that can navigate the ups and downs of today’s financial markets and help enhance the overall quality of your life and your business. Our ultimate goal is to serve as your single point of contact for all your financial needs.
1: IDENTIFY
We begin with a conversation to understand your current circumstances and concerns. We’ll discuss our process and how we can add value to your situation. If we are good fit for your situation, we will schedule a meeting and help you prepare for that discussion.
2: DISCOVER
Here, we’ll ask a series of questions to fully understand your current situation. We’ll learn about your current Reinsurance/ DOWC plan, understand any other business and corporate needs and liabilities you may have, as well as learn about your family and any identify any personal wealth challenges or concerns.
3: PLAN AND IMPLEMENT
With a clear understanding of your needs and goals, we utilize a variety of planning and risk analysis tools to identify appropriate strategies for your situation. We also leverage the intellectual capital of Morgan Stanley’s global resources. We present these recommendations to you and upon your approval will begin implementation. We consult with your tax and legal advisors, when appropriate. We also develop a transition schedule and interface with all necessary resources – including your insurance company – for a smooth transition.
4: MONITOR AND REVIEW
With your new Reinsurance/DOWC plan underway and your personal wealth management strategies implemented, we monitor results and conduct ongoing reviews. We provide comprehensive reporting and meet regularly to help ensure the strategies we have in place are aligned with your business and personal wealth management goals.

Customized solutions

As your wealth grows, so does its complexities. We leverage our experience, insights and relationships to deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to your specific needs as they evolve over time. Here is a brief overview of the many capabilities we can provide you, your family and your dealership.
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    Wealth Management
    The cornerstone of an effective wealth management plan is comprehensive financial planning, which captures your long-term goals, current resources and expectations for the future. Effective planning can help eliminate blind spots, minimize risk and reduce taxes, all while helping ensure you achieve your goals as you envisioned.
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    Lending Services
    Comprehensive wealth management often includes prudent borrowing strategies to complement your investments. We offer various lending solutions – from flexible lines of credit and home mortgages to more sophisticated techniques – that are designed to manage the diversification and expansion of your business.
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    Estate Planning & Trust Services
    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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    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 strategy that applies long-held investment principles to help your assets appreciate appropriately, generate income when needed, and reduce current and future taxation.
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    Corporate Cash Management
    Creating adequate cash flow and liquidity are the day-to-day aspects of implementing a flexible and dynamic financial strategy. We help you meet your corporate cash management needs, while thinking strategically about how specific approaches may affect current and long-term costs and taxes.
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    Business Succession Planning
    Owning a dealership represent years, if not decades, of hard work and entrepreneurial savvy. Yet, even the most astute business owners are often unfamiliar with the complexities that go into a successful succession strategy. We understand your succession in the context of your overall financial picture and help you make the best decisions for your dealership and your family.
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    Corporate Retirement Plans
    We work directly with you and your leadership team to effectively manage your corporate retirement plan, while optimizing the benefits to your employees. We have the knowledge, experience and resources to manage and oversee your plan, so you can focus on running your business.
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    Sustainable Investing
    Many investors today seek meaningful ways to create positive economic, social and environmental impact through their asset management accounts. Sustainable Investing focuses on aligning financial goals – which are driven by economic fundamentals – with impact goals – which are driven by personal values and mission. We can help you integrate these themes into your investment strategy.

A Successful Legacy

The personalized solutions we create are carefully tailored to address your specific questions and concerns. They leverage our experience, knowledge and insights, so you can focus on building your business and tackling new challenges.
Click Here To Schedule
  • We look forward to speaking with you!
Top Client Concerns
  • Are there opportunities to improve my current Reinsurance and DOWC program with my insurance company?
  • How do I grow – and preserve – these assets? Do I have the right asset mix?
  • Are the underlying assets within my Reinsurance and DOWC accounts taking on too much risk?
  • How do I tap into Morgan Stanley’s extensive resources to expand my business (e.g., banking and lending opportunities)?
  • How do I make sure my personal assets are structured properly to achieve my long-term goals for my family?
  • When I’m ready to retire, what are the best strategies to exit my business?

Location

4000 Carillon Point
Ste 600
Kirkland, WA 98033
US
Direct:
(425) 202-0632(425) 202-0632
Toll-Free:
(800) 382-2802(800) 382-2802

Meet Touchstone Wealth Management Group

About Christine Cote

As a Family Wealth Director with more than 40 years of experience, I believe every person deserves the best possible financial advice. I help my clients achieve new levels of financial success by listening intently to their stories and situations, so I can identify insightful ways to help bring simplicity to their lives and educate them about the intricate details of their wealth.

With an emphasis on goals-based planning, I focus on cultivating trusting relationships. I listen carefully to understand each client’s vision for the future and utilize my skills as a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) to provide tailored solutions that align their goals and priorities with their timeframes and risk parameters – all with the objective of achieving the best possible outcomes.

At The Touchstone Group at Morgan Stanley, we are honored to work with an exceptional group of clients – from successful auto dealers who need guidance managing their business accounts to families facing life-changing events. Each experience has taught us that every client’s circumstances are unique and require a customized approach. We enjoy helping them accomplish the goals they’ve set for themselves, their families, and their organizations.
Securities Agent: MS, FL, DC, AL, NY, ME, GA, CO, WA, LA, IA, WI, VA, TX, NV, NM, NJ, MT, UT, IN, HI, CT, SD, PA, NH, RI, MA, ID, CA, MN, TN, MO, KY, OH, AK, NC, MI, IL, AZ, WY, OR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1297958

About Tara Kinsella

Making it easy to help others succeed. This has always been my professional goal since I began working in the financial services industry more than 12 years ago. I come to work every day focused on understanding the specific needs and circumstances of each of our clients, so I can deliver the knowledge and service they need to help accomplish their priorities.

A graduate of the University of Washington, I began my career in 2009 at Morgan Stanley as a Wealth Advisory Associate and became a Financial Advisor in 2015. Today, I am a founding partner at The Touchstone Group at Morgan Stanley, a highly skilled advisory team located in Kirkland.

Our clients are very special to me and I love getting to know them and their families. When they ask for our guidance, I focus on delivering a level of service that aims to exceed their expectations. We enjoy helping them accomplish the goals they’ve set for themselves, their families, and their organizations.
Securities Agent: KY, WI, UT, PA, OH, NH, NC, IL, AL, WY, MS, MA, FL, CO, CA, SD, NM, LA, HI, VA, IN, WA, RI, MI, ID, IA, AZ, AK, TX, NY, NV, NJ, MO, ME, GA, CT, OR, MN, SC, ND; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1347374
Wealth Management
From Our Team

Touchstone Fact Card


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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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 Touchstone Wealth Management Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Morgan 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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2Morgan 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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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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4The 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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5Morgan 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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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

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

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

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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.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)