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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

SECURE Act 2.0 represents a significant step forward in enhancing the flexibility and security of retirement savings.

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce the addition of Christy Dewey, Adam Mangiapane and Zach Reed.

I am proud that Greenleaf Trust is structured to remain a privately held, trust-only bank in perpetuity. This eliminates the possibility of an acquisition or merger.

The first half of 2024 continued the positive momentum seen in 2023 across financial markets. The likelihood of a recession has diminished compared to a year ago.

It is not surprising the number of individuals who want to be buried in their grave with particular items that have emotional, sentimental, and sometimes even intrinsic value.

Every person coming into retirement has struggled with the shift in mindset from work income to income from retirement assets.

Here are eight things you can do now that take only minutes but can save hours of work and frustration for your loved ones in the future.

In the retirement plan world; size matters! A plan reports their number of participants on a required annual Form 5500 which is submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). If the plan is “large,” it needs an audit.

As we approach the end of those 10 years, I have put together a talented team of forward-thinking leaders at Greenleaf Trust to develop our strategic goal for the next 10 years.

After retreating 4% in April, the S&P 500 bounced back in May reaching a new record high on 5/21 and closing out the month with a 5% return.

Prospect theory acknowledges that human decision-making is at times irrational and influenced by psychological biases.

Asset allocation is the primary driver of long-term investment performance. So, what exactly is asset allocation? It is simply the mix between major investment types in a portfolio, including equity (stocks), fixed income (bonds), cash, and alternative assets (basically a catch-all for everything else).

By many measures, the U.S. economy is thriving, unemployment is near historic lows, economic growth remains solid despite high interest rates, and the stock market continues to reach all-time highs.

A phrase commonly thrown around in estate planning literature is the use of a modern trust.

As you all know, culture is something that is very important to Greenleaf Trust. It defines us and differentiates us. One of our founding goals in 1998 was to find really talented teammates and create a culture that would engage and inspire them. If we could do that, then just think about what that team […]

As the year has unfolded, the labor market has been stronger-than-expected. The US has added an average of 276k jobs in each of the first three months and the unemployment rate has stayed below 4%.

Discussions around long-term care can be emotional, but it’s important to begin these conversations early. Long-term care planning should be a part of your overall personal risk management plan and should begin as early as your forties.

No single person can predict with perfect accuracy how markets will behave in the short term nor with consistency.

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies improve our ability to mimic real life, it’s becoming harder to tell what’s real and what’s fake in the digital domain.

On Tuesday, April 23 the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued the final Retirement Security Rule. Department officials said the rule will be active later this year on September 23 requiring investment advisers to follow impartial conduct standards and acknowledge their fiduciary status. Other parts of the rule will not be effective until fall of […]

Our desire is to serve clients and their next generation. And, when appropriate, this includes serving multiple generations within the same family concurrently. This is because we believe that family is an investment with the highest returns.

For some time now, surprising resilience in the U.S. labor market has underpinned a favorable narrative for the economy. Healthy demand for labor has kept American consumers employed and spending.

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) went into effect on January 1, 2024. The CTA broadens the reporting to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of information, including personal information, concerning the control and beneficial ownership of nearly all small U.S. companies.