How to Remove an External Account from Morgan Stanley: A Comprehensive Guide
Have you linked an external bank account, brokerage account, or other financial institution to your Morgan Stanley Total Wealth View, but now find yourself needing to remove it? Perhaps you've closed the external account, changed banks, or simply wish to streamline your financial overview. Whatever your reason, removing an external account from Morgan Stanley Online or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App is a straightforward process when you know where to look.
Let's dive right in!
Step 1: Engage with Your Digital Access Point
Before we even begin, ask yourself: Are you currently using Morgan Stanley Online on your computer, or do you prefer the convenience of the Morgan Stanley Mobile App? The steps are largely similar, but knowing your preferred platform will help you navigate more efficiently. We'll cover both!
For the most seamless experience, ensure you have your Morgan Stanley login credentials handy.
Step 2: Navigate to Account Management Settings
Once you've successfully logged in, your next mission is to find the section dedicated to managing your linked external accounts. This is typically located within your profile or settings.
On Morgan Stanley Online (Website):
- Log In: Go to the official Morgan Stanley website and log in to your account.
- Locate Services: Look for a menu option usually labeled "Services" or "Profile & Settings." This is generally found in the top navigation bar or a sidebar menu.
- Find Display/External Accounts: Within the "Services" or "Profile & Settings" section, you'll want to find a sub-menu or option related to "Display" or specifically "Edit External Accounts."
- It might be listed as Services > Privacy + Settings > Display > Edit External Accounts.
On the Morgan Stanley Mobile App:
- Open the App: Launch the Morgan Stanley Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet.
- Log In: Enter your credentials to log in.
- Access Settings: Look for an icon typically in the bottom right corner or a hamburger menu (three lines) that indicates "More" or "Settings."
- Find Account Display/External Accounts: Similar to the online version, you'll need to navigate to a section that deals with "Account Display" or "External Accounts."
- It might be under Services/Profile & Settings/Account Display or Services/Profile & Settings/Display/External Accounts.
Step 3: Identify the Account to Remove
Now that you're in the right place, you'll see a list of all the external accounts you've linked to your Morgan Stanley profile.
Review Your Linked Accounts:
- Take a moment to carefully review the list. Ensure you are identifying the exact account you wish to remove. Double-checking prevents accidental unlinking of an account you still want connected.
- You might see accounts categorized by institution or type (e.g., checking, savings, brokerage).
Step 4: Initiate the Removal Process
Morgan Stanley provides clear options for either "deleting" or "marking an account as closed." Understanding the distinction is important.
Deleting an External Account:
- Look for "Delete" or a "Trash Can" Icon: Next to the external account you want to remove, you should see an option to "Delete" or a small "trash can" icon.
- Click/Tap to Delete: Click or tap this option.
- Confirm Deletion: You will likely be prompted with a confirmation message asking if you are sure you want to delete the account. Read this carefully and confirm to proceed. This action typically removes the account entirely from your Total Wealth View.
Marking an Account as "Closed":
In some cases, especially if you no longer have access to the external account but it still appears, you might have the option to mark it as "closed" rather than fully deleting it.
- Look for a "+" or "Mark as Closed" Option: Near the external account, there might be a "+" icon or an explicit "Mark this account closed" option.
- Select "Mark as Closed": Choose this option.
- Confirm Action: Confirm your decision when prompted. This usually signifies to Morgan Stanley that the account is no longer active, which can help with data aggregation and preventing error messages. It may or may not fully remove it from your view, but it will indicate its inactive status.
Step 5: Verify the Removal
After you've completed the deletion or marking as closed, it's a good practice to verify that the external account is no longer visible or is appropriately marked.
Check Your Total Wealth View:
- Navigate back to your main account dashboard or the "Total Wealth View" section.
- The removed or marked-as-closed account should no longer appear, or its status should be updated to reflect that it's closed.
- Give it a few moments for the system to update, though typically changes are immediate.
Step 6: What If You Encounter Issues?
While the process is generally smooth, technology can sometimes be unpredictable. If you run into any snags:
1. Clear Your Browser Cache/App Data:
- Sometimes, old data can cause display issues. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies (for online access) or clearing the app's cache/data (for mobile). Then, try logging in again.
2. Try a Different Device or Browser:
- If you're using the website, try a different browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge). If you're on the mobile app, try logging in via the website on a computer, or vice-versa.
3. Contact Morgan Stanley Client Service:
- This is always your best bet if you're truly stuck. Morgan Stanley's client service professionals are equipped to assist with technical difficulties and account management.
- For general account or technical support: You can typically reach them at 1-888-454-3965 (toll-free) or +1-801-902-6997 (outside the U.S.). They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- When you call, be prepared to explain the issue clearly and provide your account details for verification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to remove an external account from Morgan Stanley if I don't see the "delete" option?
If you don't see a "delete" option, look for a "Mark this account closed" option or a "+" icon next to the account. If neither is present, it's best to contact Morgan Stanley Client Service directly for assistance.
How to unlink a bank account from Morgan Stanley Mobile App?
On the Morgan Stanley Mobile App, navigate to "Services" or "Profile & Settings," then "Display" or "External Accounts." Locate the account you wish to unlink and tap the "delete" or "mark as closed" option next to it.
How to stop Morgan Stanley from aggregating data from a specific external account?
By deleting or marking an external account as "closed" within Morgan Stanley Online or the Mobile App, you stop the aggregation of data from that specific external institution.
How to re-add an external account after I've removed it from Morgan Stanley?
You can typically re-add an external account by going to the "Add External Accounts" section within your Morgan Stanley profile (usually under "Services" or "Profile & Settings") and following the linking process again.
How to manage which external accounts are displayed in my Morgan Stanley Total Wealth View?
Within the "Services > Privacy + Settings > Display > Edit External Accounts" section (or similar on the app), you can manage which accounts are displayed, including deleting or marking them as closed.
How to contact Morgan Stanley customer service for issues with external accounts?
You can contact Morgan Stanley Client Service at 1-888-454-3965 (toll-free) or +1-801-902-6997 (outside the U.S.), available 24/7.
How to ensure my external account data is secure when linked to Morgan Stanley?
Morgan Stanley works with third-party providers like Yodlee to ensure secure connections. The aggregation service is read-only, meaning no transactions can be initiated from Morgan Stanley on your external accounts. They also utilize high-grade encryption and strong authentication.
How to understand the difference between "delete" and "mark as closed" for external accounts?
"Delete" typically removes the account entirely from your view. "Mark as closed" indicates the account is no longer active but might retain a record of its past existence within the system, without actively aggregating new data.
How to troubleshoot connectivity issues with external accounts on Morgan Stanley?
If you're having trouble with an external account connecting, try re-establishing the connection within the "Edit External Accounts" section. If the issue persists, clear your browser/app cache, try a different device, or contact Morgan Stanley support.
How to get a complete financial picture without linking all my external accounts to Morgan Stanley?
While Total Wealth View offers a comprehensive financial picture by linking accounts, you can still gain insights by manually tracking your finances or discussing your broader financial situation with your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, providing them with external statements as needed.
