Greenleaf Trust Recognized as Metro Detroit’s Best and Brightest Small Business to Work For

Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce its selection as Metro Detroit’s Best of the Best Small Business to Work For at the annual Metropolitan Detroit’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For awards.

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Detroit Free Press: 198 companies named 2024 Michigan Top Workplace: List of winners

Greenleaf Trust is top 10 for Midsize 2024 Michigan Top Workplaces.

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Greenleaf Trust announces the addition of two team members

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to welcome Jim Ripley and Amari Williams to the team.

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Advisorpedia: Family Emergencies: How Advisors Can Help Ease the Pain

Wealth Management Advisor, Steve Davis, discusses the importance of planning for unforeseen events with Advisorpedia.

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Trustworthy: Estate Planning for Irresponsible Children

Trust Relationship Officer, Adam Mangiapane, provides commentary to Trustworthy on planning your estate for heirs.

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October Retail Sales – Strong Print Ahead of Holiday Season

U.S. retail sales rose more than expected in October and September figures were revised higher suggesting consumers are entering the start of holiday season with strong momentum. 

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October Inflation – In Line Report Supports December Cut

In October, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose 2.6% compared to a year ago, up from 2.4% in September, but in line with expectations.  Core CPI (excludes volatile food and energy prices) rose 3.3%, unchanged from September and in line with expectations.  These readings are arguably less useful in the eyes of the market […]

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US News & World Report: How Much Should You Contribute to a 401(k) in 2025?

Participant Services Coordinator – Team Lead, Lisa Hojnacki, provides insight on allocating to 401(k) plans while maintaining balance with other financial priorities.

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The Hedgehog Concept

In 2015, we constructed our long-term strategic goal to be Top of Mind in the Michigan markets where we serve. Now we’re looking ahead to the next 10 years.

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Economic Commentary

With policy actions at the Fed shifting from tightening to loosening monetary policy, we thought now would be an ideal time to add historical context to the current anticipated rate cutting cycle.

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The Silent Treatment: Navigating Michigan’s Undisclosed Trust Law

A trustee is obligated to adhere to the instructions outlined in the trust instrument while simultaneously complying with the regulations set forth in the MTC to fulfill the objectives defined within the trust instrument.

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Passive Aggression: Actively Wielding Index Funds

Building a portfolio that incorporates passive investment vehicles requires active fiduciary care and diligence; it is neither unmanaged nor unmonitored.

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Pension Plan Termination Time?

The idea of terminating DB plans is not new, as more than $300 billion in pension plan liabilities have been transferred to insurance companies since 2012. However, this decision requires careful consideration of the current interest rate environment, plan funding status, and broader economic factors.

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November 2024 Perspectives Newsletter

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October Jobs – Distorted by Strikes and Storms, But Soft Nonetheless

Strikes and storms contributed to the slowest pace of hiring since 2020; prior months revised lower; unemployment steady.

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Greenleaf Trust announces the addition of two team members

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to welcome two new members to the team in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

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Strategic Wealth Management for Business Owners: Essential Planning Guide

A comprehensive guide to business succession, wealth transfer, and long-term financial planning for entrepreneurs

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September Retail Sales – Above Forecast Again

U.S. retail sales rose more than expected September in a broad advance highlighting resilient consumer spending in the third quarter.

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September Inflation – Above Forecast

In September, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose 2.4% compared to a year ago, decelerating 0.1% compared to August, but above expectations for 2.3%.

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Reflections on the Summer of ‘24

Once again, we had a busy and successful summer at Greenleaf Trust. As I reflect on summer, here are some of my highlights.

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Economic Commentary

If I had to describe the third quarter of 2024 in one word, it would be “pivotal.” Not because the last three months were critically significant, but because I observed a lot of pivoting. Labor market? Pivoted. The Fed’s focus? Pivoted. Monetary Policy? Pivoted. Even the Democratic National Committee? You guessed it… pivoted.

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Have a Taxable Estate? Gift Today – Exploring the Tax Inclusive Nature of the Federal Estate Tax

For individuals and families who have accumulated significant wealth that may be subject to an estate tax at their passing, the decision on how and when to pass on the wealth may be difficult.

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Investor Beware

Investors and advisors need to strongly scrutinize whenever they hear something too good to be true. In the world of investing, the adage “there’s no free lunch” holds particularly true.

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How do we SECURE the IRS Changes to our Retirement Plan Document?

The most recent changes to qualified retirement plans were the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Acts, SECURE, for short.

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Personal Cyber Hygiene: What Is It and Why Should I Care?

As evidenced by recent disclosures by LinkedIn, Target, and Equifax, the frequency of data breaches has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2023 alone, data compromises surged by 78% compared to 2022, increasing from 1,801 to 3,205 reported incidents.

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October 2024 Perspectives Newsletter

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September Jobs – Surprisingly Strong All Around

Job gains came in stronger than anticipated; unemployment rate falls slightly; revisions to prior months’ data were positive.  The US economy added far more jobs than analysts anticipated in September, in what is the strongest job growth figure since March of this year.  Overall, the report lends credence to the prospect of a soft landing […]

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CNN: Borrowing against your life insurance policy: How it works

Vice President, Assistant Director of Wealth Management, Jeff Pauza provides commentary to CNN on the risks associated with borrowing against your cash value.

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Advisorpedia: No G2 or G3? Financial Planning Without Future Generations

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Greenleaf Trust announces the addition of four team members in Kalamazoo

Four new teammates join the Kalamazoo office.

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MSN: Understanding the ‘Trump Tax’ and What It Could Mean for Your Wallet

Chief Investment Officer, Nicholas Juhle, discusses the implications of the “Trump Tax” on consumers’ wallets.

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MSN: I’m an Economist: How JD Vance Could Benefit Working Families Across the US

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August Inflation – Modest Underlying Acceleration Favors 0.25% Fed Cut Next Week

In August, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose just 2.5% compared to a year ago, decelerating 0.4% compared to July and in line with expectations.

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Greenleaf Trust announces CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification

Senior Wealth Management Associate, Holly Crump, earns CFP® Certification

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September 2024 Perspectives Newsletter

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The Fourth Member of
Your Client Centric Team

Five years ago, we heard from our clients that they wanted a more robust online client portal. So, we did what we do whenever our clients speak.

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Economic Commentary

August was not for the faint of heart. Starting with a weaker-than-expected jobs report and exacerbated by the collapse of the yen carry trade, the S&P 500 fell 6.5% in the first three trading days of the month.

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Avoiding the Zero Basis Trap: Tax Planning Lessons from the Trail

Ensuring that all assets are properly accounted for, and the necessary steps are taken to protect the financial well-being of heirs is crucial.

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Do I Still Need Life Insurance?

Typically, life insurance is purchased to provide financial protection and peace of mind for policyholders and their family members. Here are several alternatives for how to maximize the value of a life insurance policy you may no longer need.

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Understanding and Administration of Plan Defined Compensation and Eligibility

Payroll administration plays a critical role when an employer offers a retirement plan, and understanding the plan document provisions is important to avoid operational failures.

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August Jobs Report – Slight Miss Sets Up September Rate Cuts

Hiring improved from July’s weak report but missed expectations in August as wage growth rebounded slightly and the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2%.

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September 6 is National 401(k) Day!

National 401(k) Day began in 1996 to promote retirement savings education and awareness. It’s celebrated on the first Friday in September so that you can start your week with Labor Day and end your week thinking about retirement.

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6 Of The Top Things To Consider When Picking A Credit Card, According To Experts

Wealth Management Advisor, Mike Laske, is featured in an article in MBG on choosing the right credit card.

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July Retail Sales – Broad Advance Tops Forecasts

July retail spending accelerated by more than expected compared to June in a broad advance aided somewhat by a recovery in auto sales after a cyberattack on dealerships led to a sizeable drop last month.

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July Inflation – Easing Continues, September Cut On Track

In July, consumer prices rose 2.9% compared to a year ago, decelerating 0.1% compared to June and below expectations of 3.0%.

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August 2024 Perspectives Newsletter

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Lost and Found in Northern Michigan

The clients approached after dinner to say how much they appreciated the members of their client centric team. Their appreciation came from their team at Greenleaf Trust doing something for them that was totally unexpected.

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Economic Commentary

Financial markets took the headlines in stride. While there were some setbacks.

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Money Makes the World Go Round, But Don’t Talk About It?

A majority of Americans do not regularly talk about money. If money makes the world go round, why is it so uncomfortable for some of us to talk about?

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“Oh the Places You’ll Go”

When it comes to retirement there are things that we can fully control, things that we can somewhat control and then there are those things over which we have absolutely no control.

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