Three leading advisors from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney have gone independent and formed Three Bridge Wealth Advisors.

Eric Thurber, Fred Molfino and Brett Sharkey, principals in the Menlo Park, Calif.-based Three Bridge, previously represented The Venture Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. There, the team and its associates advised on more than $740 million in assets for the venture capital and private equity communities in and around Silicon Valley.

"The independent structure is the best way we know to serve the unique investment needs of our extraordinary clients," Molfino said. "As a boutique firm, Three Bridge is in a position to provide a level of service that's simply not attainable at a larger wirehouse brokerage." 

The team has specialized in providing institutional services to venture capital and private equity firms, including distribution management, restricted stock sales and settlement, 10b5-1 plans, hedging, and monetization. The Three Bridge founders have expanded their practice over time to include personal wealth management services to the individuals of the community, with an emerging focus on retirement plan services. Defined contribution and defined benefit plans will be a particular specialty for the new firm.

Three Bridge is custodying its client assets with Charles Schwab & Co.