I’m 63 with $1M in stock. I pay my adviser 1% — but I’m only getting a 7% return. Is it time to find a new adviser?

“A professional that builds trust and understands the client’s situation can help a client meet their goals, whether that is a comfortable retirement or leaving an inheritance. These conversations are ultimately more important than comparing your return to your neighbors,” says certified financial planner Jamie Botsko at Greenleaf Trust.

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Greenleaf Trust Reaches 200 Team Members, Marking Continued Growth and Investment in Its People

The 200 team member milestone marks another step forward in Greenleaf Trust’s continued development, with a focus on thoughtful growth, strong client relationships and long-term stewardship.

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Unreasonable Hospitality

The example lends itself to a central theme of the book that any business can be a hospitality business. We believe this too. We believe in the importance of making clients feel seen and cared for through thoughtful, purposefully personalized service.

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Economic Commentary

At the end of the day, the conflict in Iran has introduced new risks. It will likely weigh on growth and keep inflation somewhat elevated in the near term but the bigger picture hasn’t fundamentally changed.

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AI Estate Planning Could Be a Costly Mistake

While there may not be many AI-drafted estate plan cases which have been litigated or published yet, there have been situations where unverified AI drafting has caused issues in the courtroom, including made up case law citations in legal briefs and using outdated laws.

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Every Time the Market Drops, the Phone Rings

Most investors picture market swings, worrying headlines and the uncomfortable feeling of watching an account balance bounce around. That is not risk. That is noise.

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How is AI Impacting the Retirement Plan Industry?

AI has the potential to meaningfully improve efficiency, personalization and participant outcomes in the retirement plan industry. However, its success depends on thoughtful implementation, strong governance and continued human oversight.

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Spring Cleaning Your Digital Presence: A Modern Necessity

For many individuals, decades of financial records, online accounts and personal information now exist across a wide range of websites and services.

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Does Your Trust Need a Protector?

Laws continue to change, as do the needs of trust beneficiaries. Yet an irrevocable trust’s words are locked in on the date the trust becomes irrevocable.

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May 2026 Perspectives Newsletter

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April Jobs – Another Solid Month

Healthy job gains; unemployment steady.  In April, U.S. employers added 115k jobs and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3%.  Today’s report showcases a labor market that appears to be stabilizing after near-zero job growth in 2025.  While demand for workers remains subdued, layoff activity is still low and fiscal policy underpinned by the OBBBA […]

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Greenleaf Trust Adds Senior Wealth Management Advisor to Naples Office

Greenleaf Trust has added Vanessa Watt, CFA, CPWA®, as a Senior Wealth Management Advisor in its Naples, Florida office, supporting the organization’s continued growth in the region.

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Portfolio Management Services: A Core Component of Wealth Management

Portfolio management plays a key role in the wealth management planning process in preserving and growing wealth over the long-term.

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Greenleaf Trust’s Molly Lohroff and Tyler Rayman Earn CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce that Senior Wealth Management Associates Molly Lohroff and Tyler Rayman have earned their CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certifications, a distinguished credential in the financial planning profession.

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Greenleaf Trust Announces the Addition of Two Team Members, Kyle Arnoldi and Nick Ford

Greenleaf Trust Announces the Addition of Two Team Members.

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March Retail Sales – Continued Strength

US retail sales rose more than anticipated in the month of March, exceeding the high bar set in February.

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Wealth Management Beyond the Transfer: Preparing the Next Generations for Financial Responsibility

Wealth management sits at the intersection of imagination and responsibility when it comes to family wealth. When thoughtfully planned, it can open doors for supporting education, encouraging exploration and creating the freedom to pursue meaningful goals

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Trump Blocks Iran Ports, Sending Prices Soaring on Oil, Fertilizer and More

GOBankingRates featured insights from Greenleaf Trust’s Nicholas Juhle, Chief Investment Officer, in an article examining how geopolitical tensions and port blockades could impact energy prices, food costs and household budgets.

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March Inflation – Energy Prices Raise Inflation

The key question going forward relates to higher prices’ impact on the Federal Reserve’s easing plans. Today’s release did not significantly change the market’s expectations of only a 20% chance of one cut from the Fed in 2026, compared with expectations for 2 cuts before the war.

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The Great Wealth (Management) Transfer

Greenleaf Trust is structured to remain privately held into perpetuity. We have the ability to serve from generation to generation and intend to do so. We also may make acquisitions in the future as part of our long-term strategy to Serve Clients More. When and if that happens, we will always put client relationships first.

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Economic Commentary April 2026

The U.S./Israeli strikes on Iran have materially altered expectations for 2026. Coming into the year, investors expected a solid combination of decelerating inflation, interest rate cuts, strong corporate earnings growth and low risk of recession. Rapidly rising energy prices have introduced a new layer of complexity for investors to navigate.

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Financial Literacy Month: Building Confidence in Your Financial Future

Financial Literacy Month is a meaningful reminder that building confidence in your financial future does not have to happen alone. Whether you are just getting started or refining an existing plan, having a trusted partner can make navigating financial decisions clearer and more manageable.

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Unlocking the Benefits of MyWealth

Greenleaf Trust offers multiple tools to enhance clients’ digital experience, one of which is the MyWealth platform. The MyWealth platform plays a role in the management and implementation of your comprehensive wealth management plan, as well as offers a secure way to house your important documents via the “Vault” feature.

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Healthcare Insurance in Retirement: A Path Forward

As we age, the value of our health and access to good medical care increases significantly each year. It is important to approach healthcare decisions in a thoughtful manner.

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Consider Making a Net Gift

As wealthy individuals exhaust their currently available applicable exemption amounts, or they find they have no exemption available if the sunset date for the large transfer tax exemptions occurs on January 1, 2026, more attention should be given to the use of a net, net gift agreement to reduce the effective transfer tax rate for lifetime gifts.

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April 2026 Perspectives Newsletter

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Greenleaf Trust Announces Project Management Professional®  Certification Achievement

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce that Steven Jarzambek, Project Manager, has earned the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification. The Project Management Professional® certification acknowledges candidates who are skilled at managing the people, processes and business priorities of professional projects.

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Greenleaf Trust Announces the Addition of Six Team Members

Greenleaf Trust is proud to welcome six new hires to the team.

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Greenleaf Trust Recognized as a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces Winner

Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce it has been recognized as a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces winner, an honor that reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to fostering a people first workplace culture and prioritizing the employee experience.

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Greenleaf Trust announces EA designation of Jasmine Solis‑Trujillo

Tax Coordinator II, Jasmine Solis‑Trujillo, recently earned her Enrolled Agent designation.

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Wealth Management for Generational Wealth: Strategies to Build, Protect and Transfer Family Wealth

Wealth management isn’t just about growing your portfolio; it’s about building a legacy for those who matter most.

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March Jobs – Beating Expectations

The labor force participation rate and number of unemployed people were little changed, showing some stability in the labor market.  The stronger jobs report provides the Federal Reserve with some breathing room and will allow them to wait and see how the Iran war effects overall inflation before moving forward with any rate cuts.

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February Retail Sales – Delayed Data Shows Broad Advance

Following a lengthy winter storm in January, tax refunds and wage growth that is outpacing inflation helped drive a February recovery.  It appears consumer demand was holding up ahead of the Iran war but the conflict has driven gas prices above $4 per gallon, which risks causing shoppers to adjust their spending in other areas if the conflict drags on.   

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With $22.5B in assets managed, relationships matter most for Greenleaf CEO

Greenleaf Trust CEO Mike Odar was recently featured in MLive discussing purposeful growth and why relationships remain at the core of the organization’s success.

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2025 Annual Report

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This is the No. 1 retirement concern for America’s wealthiest — and how financial experts say you can avoid it

“We intentionally build plans assuming our clients will live well beyond average expectations, reducing the risk of being forced into difficult financial decisions later in life,” says Amari Smith, a senior wealth management associate with Greenleaf Trust.

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Family offices brace portfolios against Iran conflict, but most hold the line on long-term strategy

Nick Juhle, chief investment officer at Greenleaf Trust, said the firm has made no meaningful changes to client allocations and is advising clients to hold steady. His approach starts with two fundamental questions: Have your goals for this money changed? Has your tolerance for market volatility changed? “If the answer to both is no, then making a major change to a long-term portfolio would likely be an emotional reaction,” Juhle said.

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Wealth Management Guidelines for Non-profit Endowments

For nonprofit organizations, endowments are a cornerstone of sound wealth management, providing a stable and enduring source of funding that supports charitable programs and services across generations.

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Exploring Your Wealth Management Service Options: From DIY to Full Service

We align ourselves entirely with our clients’ best interests, as evidenced by our independent ownership, transparent fee structure, in-depth and conflict-free internal research and strict avoidance of proprietary funds. We attribute our success to an intentional culture focused first and foremost on the client.

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Greenleaf Trust Named a 2026 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® at the National, Metro Detroit and West Michigan Levels

Greenleaf Trust’s recognition as a 2026 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation, Metro Detroit and West Michigan underscores the firm’s ongoing focus on culture, connection and long term investment in its people.

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February Inflation – Meeting Expectations

The notable increase in energy prices associated with the ongoing war in Iran would not have been captured in this month’s reading; however, March figures may be upwardly biased as a consequence of the elevated energy prices.

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Many Changes Have Occurred, Yet Our Purpose Remains Constant

What has allowed us to adapt and thrive through changes as well as create improvements is the intentional preservation over the years of our core values and culture. Our core values of client first focus, integrity and accuracy, continuous improvement, teamwork, a budget focused on the client and inclusive employment practices provide a foundation for all that we do.

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Economic Commentary February 2026

The economy and markets still appear to be on solid footing. Trade policy remains in flux, creating a potential headwind as businesses and consumers adjust to the evolving landscape.

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Digital Assets and Fiduciary Oversight

As fiduciaries – whether personal or professional – we can help prevent that outcome for families and individuals who have placed their trust in us. The tools exist and the legal framework is largely in place. All we have to do is ask the question: “What digital assets do you have, and does someone know how to find then?”

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Trump Accounts: An Overview and Comparison

For families focused on education savings, a 529 savings plan remains the gold standard, offering superior tax benefits, greater contribution flexibility and parental control. For families seeking general savings without restrictions, an UTMA may be appropriate, with the understanding of its limitations.

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Retirement Plan Contributions – How to Feel Confident in Your Deferrals

As a retirement plan provider, our sole goal is to help you save for a retirement you can be proud of, without sacrificing your current wellbeing. We have no interest in coercing you into a contribution rate that you are not comfortable with. We are here to help you every step of the way towards retirement, and are happy to provide the insight necessary to make choices you can feel confident in.

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Charitable Giving in 2026: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, OB3, made significant changes to charitable giving, and the income tax deductions that often motivate a charitable gift. Those changes impact what to give and how the gift is made.

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March 2026 Newsletter Perspectives

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February Jobs – Unexpectedly Weak

 While Fed policymakers have been more focused on inflation, even before the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, ongoing evidence of a slowing labor market could refocus the Fed’s attention as it assesses how long to hold interest rates steady. 

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January Retail Sales – Wheels and Weather in Focus

Today’s data may be indicative of the stress being applied to lower-income earners who get their confidence and willingness to spend from a healthy labor market and gainful employment.  Higher income earners who represent a smaller percentage of the population but account for the lion’s share of spending are more influenced by the health of financial markets and portfolio wealth.

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