July 9, 2025
Greenleaf Trust announces 11 promotions
Greenleaf Trust announces 11 promotions
Read MoreJuly 9, 2025
Greenleaf Trust announces 11 promotions
Read MoreJuly 8, 2025
Wealth Management Advisor, Brian Farrell, received his Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation.
Read MoreJuly 7, 2025
We deeply value the trust our clients put in us and understand the work we do for them is important. Our core values drive us to put their needs before ours. We get to know our clients on a unique level and build meaningful relationships with them. Our goal is to serve their families from generation to generation.
Read MoreJuly 7, 2025
Mid-Year market update.
Read MoreJuly 7, 2025
Looking for ways to gift education and medical expenses for children or grandchildren. A HEET generally works best for very wealthy individuals who have fully used their GSTT exemption.
Read MoreJuly 7, 2025
The foundation for choosing the correct asset allocation starts with a simple question: when the time comes, how much money will you need to draw out of your portfolio on an annual basis?
Read MoreJuly 7, 2025
Wealth 3.0 seeks to focus on the role of the beneficiary’s personal and skill development as the central goal of the estate planning trust, by using wealth as a vehicle to learn, or to intentionally create conditions where the trust beneficiary can thrive with the wealth held in the trust. Succinctly stated, Wealth 3.0 supports, rather than inhibits, the beneficiary’s engagement, education, and growth, with the goal of creating conditions where the beneficiary can thrive with wealth.
Read MoreJuly 7, 2025
A 401(k) plan is one of the most popular retirement savings tools and can be a powerful way to attract talent. However, to maintain the plan’s tax-advantage status and ensure it benefits employees fairly, the IRS requires annual compliance testing.
Read MoreJuly 7, 2025
July 3, 2025
The U.S. labor market added 147k jobs in June approximating an upwardly revised +144K in May and topping expectations for +106K. The U.S. unemployment rate declined 0.1% to 4.1% in June. The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.0% to 4.2% since May 2024.
Read MoreJune 20, 2025
Wealth Management Advisor, Brian Schafer, received his Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation.
Read MoreJune 17, 2025
In nominal terms, U.S. retail sales advanced 3.3% year-over-year and declined 0.9% month-over-month. Adjusting for inflation, spending advanced 0.9% year-over-year and retreated 1.0% month-over-month. In March and April, consumers rushed to make big-ticket purchases in an effort to get out ahead of potential tariffs.
Read MoreJune 11, 2025
In May, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose 2.4% compared to a year ago, up from 2.3% in April but in line with expectations. Core CPI (excludes volatile food and energy prices) rose 2.8%, consistent with the April result but below forecasts for 2.9%.
Read MoreJune 6, 2025
May hiring exceeds expectations, trade policy uncertainty remains. Nonfarm payrolls increased 139K in May (vs. consensus of +126K) after a combined 95K in downward revisions to the prior two months. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%.
Read MoreJune 6, 2025
So, how can you protect yourself? Here are just a few tips.
Set up strong unique passwords.
Enable account alerts (bank login attempts, new device logins, etc.).
Never enter personal details or PINs from links or messages you didn’t initiate yourself.
Be suspicious of urgent messages pretending to be from an entity you conduct business with, especially when asked to enter a code or provide personal information.
Social engineers rely on urgency. Pause before you react. Verify the request and sender before replying. Adopt a mindset of informed skepticism.
Avoid oversharing on social media.
June 6, 2025
Just five months into 2025, the global economic landscape has shifted from the cautious optimism observed at the start of the year. A flurry of tariff implementations throughout April and May has disrupted international trade. While some trade deals are emerging, the broader landscape remains uncertain, forcing businesses and governments worldwide to navigate unfamiliar waters. The markets will keep a close eye on the pace and scope of trade deals in the coming months – particularly on the 18 countries with which the U.S. has significant economic ties.
Read MoreJune 6, 2025
As interest in cryptocurrency continues to grow, so too does the number of scams targeting investors—including retirees and high-net-worth individuals exploring digital assets. If you or someone you love is curious about this emerging space, it’s critical to stay informed and cautious.
Read MoreJune 6, 2025
Guidelines for Avoiding the Uncapping of Michigan Property Taxes When Transferring the Family Cottage
Read MoreJune 6, 2025
Without question, if there are ‘financial planning commandments,’ one of them would be “Don’t miss out on free money,” pointing to the fact that employees should make sure they capitalize on any employer match from their retirement plan. Widely considered to be the largest benefit of workplace retirement plans, employer contributions specifically matching contributions provide an incentive for those saving toward retirement to prioritize their plans over IRAs and the like.
Read MoreJune 6, 2025
Recency bias can lead to poor decision making in markets and investments by ignoring long-term trends and sound analysis. Extreme speculation can lead to unsustainable prices, irrational behavior, and poor long-term outcomes.
Read MoreJune 6, 2025
June 2, 2025
Annie Bundy joins the team as an Internal Audit Manager. She is responsible for developing and administering the risk-based annual internal audit plan, facilitating periodic examinations with state and national bank regulators and coordinating with external auditors. Anne has nearly ten years of Internal Audit experience. She received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from […]
Read MoreMay 28, 2025
Jake Moertl joins the operations team as a Tax Specialist. He plays a key role in developing the tax coordinators, overseeing tax processing, reviewing tax returns and supporting the client-centric team with their clients’ tax related questions. Jake earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western Michigan University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) […]
Read MoreMay 16, 2025
Nicole E. Asher, CFP®, CPWA®, ChFC, Senior Vice President, Senior Wealth Management Advisor, commented in an article published on Kiplinger.
See MoreMay 16, 2025
Senior Trust Relationship Associate, Jenny Sowell, received her Certified Trust Fiduciary Advisor designation Senior Trust Relationship Associate, Jenny Sowell, recently received her Certified Trust Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) designation. Jenny is responsible for day-to-day trust administration and fiduciary compliance while coordinating estate and tax planning strategies with other professional advisors for her clients. She has nearly […]
Read MoreMay 15, 2025
In nominal terms, U.S. retail sales advanced 0.1% month-over-month and 5.2% year-over-year. Adjusting for inflation, spending retreated 0.1% month-over-month but increased 2.9% year-over-year. Following two months of moderating outlays to start the year, April numbers suggest consumers continued the March trend of elevated spending on cars and other high-ticket items in an effort to lock in prices amid ongoing tariff uncertainty.
Read MoreMay 13, 2025
In April, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose 2.3% compared to a year ago, down from 2.4% in March and below expectations for the same. Core CPI (excludes volatile food and energy prices) rose 2.8%, consistent with the March result and in line with forecasts.
Read MoreMay 8, 2025
Wealth Management Associate, Tyler Rayman, shared commentary about financial security in an article on GoBankingRates.com.
See MoreMay 6, 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every industry, and wealth management is no exception. Once limited to rudimentary automation tools, AI has evolved into a sophisticated asset that now drives efficiency, personalization, and deeper insights across the investment landscape.
Read MoreMay 6, 2025
Market volatility has surged following the announcement and rapid modifications of sweeping U.S. tariff policies that were rolled out in early April. Tariffs are complex, intersecting economics, politics, and global supply chains in ways that challenge intuition. This article seeks to outline the policy shifts, market reactions, economic forecasts, and the path forward. We will begin where it all started: Liberation Day.
Read MoreMay 6, 2025
In sum, there are many more bodily disposition options than just cremation or burial. The point is, do you want to leave this decision to your Funeral Representative? That person, if a family member or heir, may not want to spend much money out of the probate estate for a fancy funeral and expensive burial casket which simply depletes their inheritance. Or, that person might carry a grudge postmortem and use their power to dispose of the cadaver to ‘get even’ or with a perverse or sick sense of humor.
It is your body, and it should be your choice how your cadaver should be disposed of on your death.
May 6, 2025
As one ages, it is important to think about and plan for the future including a situation where you may not be able to remain fully independent. This is not a fun “what if” scenario, in terms of planning, but it is one deserving your attention. If you have children, you may think you are […]
Read MoreMay 6, 2025
At the end of the day, money is just a tool, nothing more, nothing less. Studies show that most people will spend about 80% of their lifetime earnings over the course of their lives, reminding us that money is meant to move, not to be clutched tightly. It’s neutral by nature, not good, not bad. Its role is to serve you, not to define you. The moment money starts shaping your identity or sense of self-worth, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. The real purpose of money is freedom – the freedom to live by your values, to chase your passions and to make choices without fear holding you back. When you see money for what it really is, you realize the goal isn’t just to have more, it’s to allow you to focus on the people, experiences and dreams that matter most.
Read MoreMay 6, 2025
The U.S. retirement system is a complex blend of Social Security benefits, private employer-sponsored benefit plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s, and individual investment accounts like Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)s. This complexity often leads to scrutiny and criticism, which begs the question: Is the criticism based on fact or fiction? The media and academia often present […]
Read MoreMay 6, 2025
May 2, 2025
April hiring exceeds expectations, but trade policy uncertainty remains. Nonfarm payrolls increased 177K in April following a (downwardly revised) gain of +185 in March. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%.
Read MoreApril 24, 2025
Rachel McLaughlin joins the team as a Trust Relationship Associate. She is dedicated to helping clients navigate their financial futures with confidence and clarity. Rachel brings extensive experience in client service, meeting preparation, distribution requests, account maintenance, document processing, compliance support and client communications. With a keen eye for efficiency and a talent for marketing […]
Read MoreApril 23, 2025
Greenleaf Trust is honored to announce it is a 2025 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Winner. This achievement underscores the organization’s dedication to fostering a people-first workplace culture and prioritizing the employee experience.
Read MoreApril 17, 2025
Breanna Bizzell joins the team as an Estate Settlement Coordinator. She oversees the coordination of the estate settlement team and manages day-to-day account servicing. Breanna facilitates communication and support for beneficiaries while leading asset collection and valuation processes. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and brings nearly five years of customer service […]
Read MoreApril 17, 2025
National Association for Business Resources Recognizes Greenleaf Trust as One of Michigan’s Best and Brightest in Wellness for 2025
Read MoreApril 16, 2025
In nominal terms, U.S. retail sales jumped 1.4% month-over-month and 4.6% year-over-year – the most in over two years. Adjusting for inflation, spending advanced 1.5% month-over-month and 2.2% year-over-year.
Read MoreApril 10, 2025
In March, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose 2.4% compared to a year ago, down from 2.8% in February and below expectations for 2.6%. Core CPI (excludes volatile food and energy prices) rose 2.8%, down from 3.1% in February and 0.2% below forecasts. Today’s report indicates a continued degree of relief after months of stalling progress on inflation, however, it does not fully reflect the price increases that may result from recently announced tariffs.
Read MoreApril 9, 2025
April 4, 2025
March hiring exceeds expectations, but tariff impacts are yet to be seen.
Read MoreApril 3, 2025
We recognized the benefits of growing our own talent a long time ago and developed our Associate Program to address our growing need for talent that fits our culture. Our plan from day one has been to find really talented people and integrate them into a culture that engages and inspires them. We can teach and develop the skills needed for each role. It’s much more difficult to teach talent and cultural fit.
Read MoreApril 3, 2025
Market volatility made a sudden resurgence in the first quarter of 2025, unnerving many investors. While market participants have enjoyed relatively subdued volatility over the last two years, the experience of 2023 and 2024 was more the exception than the rule. In this article, we will explore the drivers of recent volatility and put the present condition within its proper historical context.
Read MoreApril 3, 2025
Delaware has long been recognized as a leading jurisdiction in which to establish a trust. Delaware regularly creates laws that are intended to conduct a trust creator’s intentions while promoting flexibility in the administration of a trust that might continue for hundreds of years. Moreover, Delaware’s Chancery Courts are highly respected in their knowledge and understanding of how trusts are administered and will hold trustees accountable when they serve trust beneficiaries. It should come as no surprise then that in 2024 Delaware again took the lead to create the first Beneficiary Well-Being Trust Act. [12 Del.Chancery Section 3345(b).]
Read MoreApril 3, 2025
cognizing these complexities and implementing thoughtful mitigating strategies, parents can craft a legacy that truly supports their children, not just in numbers, but in fairness and intent.
Read MoreApril 3, 2025
Tariffs—taxes imposed on imported goods—have emerged as powerful economic chess pieces in the current global landscape. Once merely tools for protecting domestic industries and generating government revenue, tariffs now stand at the center of global economic strategy, reshaping everything from your monthly grocery bill to international power dynamics. As geopolitical tensions heat up between major players like the U.S. and China, and policies shift toward neighbors like Mexico and Canada, understanding these tax mechanisms has become essential not just for corporate executives and market analysts, but for anyone planning their financial future in an unpredictable world.
Read MoreApril 3, 2025
As Gen X ages into their late 40s and 50s, they face significant headwinds in retirement planning, such as rising healthcare costs, and lingering student loan debt. Despite these hurdles, there are significant benefits that corporate retirement plans have offered Gen X to increase their retirement readiness.
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