Economic Commentary

At this writing, there are six states that have announced the phased reopening of their economies, or what perhaps is better stated as a beginning of reducing previous requirements to stay-at-home that were ordered by the respective governors of those states. These are in addition to the few states that never had stay-at-home executive orders […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

October 2019, Birmingham, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hire Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce the addition of a new team member: Jeffrey Hoekstra joins the Greenleaf Trust team as a Business Development Officer. Jeff is responsible for new business development with a focus on company-sponsored retirement plans. He has over 13 years of […]

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Economic Commentary

We all run across quotes from a variety of sources during the course of our lives. Some of those quotes stick with us for any number of personal reasons. Close to twenty years ago a person who I think is a really talented behavioral scientist said “Big people share and little people keep secrets.” I […]

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Economic Commentary

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to two different groups of educational leaders about the implications of artificial intelligence on employment and global economies, principals and superintendents of K–12 systems as well as leadership in post-secondary community college systems. I was able to share with them some relevant information produced by the global consulting […]

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Economic Commentary

As you can imagine, recent events such as the US drone attack that killed a top Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Iraq has caused many questions from clients and readers of our newsletter. Nick Juhle and his research team have offered their perspectives and advice with respect to the economic and investment implications of […]

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Economic Commentary

Federal Reserve Chairman Powell gave a recent speech titled “Building on the gains from the long expansion.” Within the speech, Powell focused on two important themes: maintaining a stable and reliable pace of two percent inflation and, somewhat surprisingly, spreading the benefits of employment more widely. Part of the Fed’s stated mandate has always been […]

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Economic Commentary

As you can imagine, recent events such as the US drone attack that killed a top Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Iraq has caused many questions from clients and readers of our newsletter. Nick Juhle and his research team have offered their perspectives and advice with respect to the economic and investment implications of […]

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Economic Commentary

Real US economic activity data reveals a continued mixed picture with strength in consumer spending and recession-like weakness in manufacturing. Consumer confidence surveys, both U of M as well as the Conference Board, are weaker and reflect growing concerns and uncertainties in global and domestic sustainability. The concerns seem to be focused on geopolitical hot […]

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Economic Commentary

The connection between “Wall Street” and “Main Street” is always up for debate, as is the seemingly different focus between those inside the beltway and those who reside, live and work outside of the beltway. Media is driven by advertising revenue, which is highly correlated to viewership and subscription, whether that media be electronic, digital, […]

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Greenleaf Trust Announces New Hires and Promotions

April 5, 2018, Grand Rapids, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hires and promotions Greenleaf Trust is proud to welcome the following new team members: Jacob A. Barker – associate manager selection analyst Stacy L. Beekman – trust relationship officer Thomas R. Christy – participant services coordinator Jennifer L. Dohm – team service coordinator Lisa […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

November 2018 Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hires Bradley LaTour, J.D., CTFA, joins Greenleaf Trust as Vice President, Senior Trust Relationship Officer. He provides service for high net worth individuals, including trust administration, tax and estate plan consulting and family governance. Bradley has more than 20 years of experience in trust and wealth […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

  March 2019, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hires   Patrick Bruining and Mercedes Sims join Greenleaf Trust as a trust operations specialists. Patrick is responsible for cash processing, along with providing support to the rest of the operations team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and sports management from Aquinas […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

March 2019, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hire Beverly Whaley joins Greenleaf Trust as a team service coordinator. She is responsible for providing comprehensive administrative support, day-to-day servicing of account needs, and driving the efforts of the client centric team. Beverly ensures clear, concise communication by coordinating the team’s workflow and acts as […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

May 2019, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hire Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce the addition of a new team member: Mandi Doster joins Greenleaf Trust as a Client Service Representative in Kalamazoo. Her responsibilities include delivering comprehensive administrative support for the Personal Trust Division, providing reception area coverage and assisting in marketing events, […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces promotion

September 2015, Kalamazoo, MI – Rosalice C. Hall has been promoted to retirement plan relationship service coordinator. Rosie works alongside the director and assistant director of the retirement plan division. She is responsible for providing comprehensive support for individuals, retirement plans and corporations. Rosie earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration with […]

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Greenleaf Trust Announces Promotions

Christopher D. Burns has been promoted to fixed income analyst. His focus is on developing and implementing fixed income portfolio strategies. Carol A. Chandler and Melissa K. Coffin have been promoted to recordkeeping specialists. Carol and Melissa are responsible for Greenleaf Trust’s in-house participant recordkeeping system. Sharon A. Conran, J.D., has been promoted to vice […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

February 19, 2016, Kalamazoo, MI Jermaine J. Johnson joins the team as a trust operations specialist – cash processing. He is responsible for securities processing and providing support to the rest of the operations team. Jermaine has nearly ten years of banking and accounting experience, including office management and account reconciliation. He earned his bachelor’s […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

May 2016, Kalamazoo, MI Jessica D. Ball joins Greenleaf Trust as a Trust Operations Specialist. Jessica is responsible for cash processing as well as providing support to the rest of the operations team. She has more than five years of experience in the financial sector. Jessica graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces promotions

January 2017, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces promotions Peggy Anderson has been promoted to vice president, director of operations. Wendy Cox has been promoted to vice president, director of personal trust. Oliver Krings has been promoted to chief information officer. Catie Matzka has been promoted to senior team service coordinator. Julie Mentzer has been […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

January 2017, Grand Rapids, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hires Ana I. Endres joins Greenleaf Trust as a family office advisor. As part of The Family Office at Greenleaf Trust, she is responsible for providing world-class service to high net worth families, including multigenerational comprehensive wealth management, trustee and private foundation services, as well […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires and promotions

Kalamazoo, Michigan, June 26, 2017 Greenleaf Trust is proud to welcome the following new team members: Brian Farrell – trust operations specialist Kelly Jorgensen – team service coordinator Tonia Kennedy – vice president, trust officer Nancy Schmidt – team service coordinator Rob Taylor – senior business intelligence engineer Bruce Vandermeulen – senior family wealth planner […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

April, 2015, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hires Christine M. Czopek has joined Greenleaf Trust as a client fiduciary specialist. She is responsible for the internal review of client information to ensure compliance with policies and procedures and fiduciary responsibilities and requirements are met. Chris has over 27 years of experience in both […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

Kalamazoo, MI, November 2014 – Greenleaf Trust announces new hire. Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce that Anne Johnston joins the firm as a Marketing and Business Development Specialist. She will be responsible for providing comprehensive support and administrative assistance for the business development and marketing team. Anne will assist the team in numerous activities […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

Kalamazoo, MI, February 2014 – Greenleaf Trust announces new hires Christine M. Hansen joins Greenleaf Trust as a Controller. She will be responsible for accounting, tax and financial reporting functions. Chris has over eight years experience in the accounting field, most recently as finance manager within the Global Product Organization at Whirlpool Corporation. Prior to […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

Kalamazoo, MI, November 2014 – Greenleaf Trust announces new hire Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce that Ean Hamilton, Esquire, has joined the team as a trust relationship officer. Prior to joining Greenleaf Trust, she practiced law specializing in trusts and estates, where she helped clients prepare comprehensive estate plans and assisted them with the […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

Ashley Hamlin joins Greenleaf Trust as a team service coordinator. She is responsible for providing comprehensive support and administrative assistance within the personal trust area and has over four years of experience in client service. Ashley earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Western Michigan University.

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Greenleaf Trust announces promotion

Kimberly G. Dudley has been promoted to a Human Resource Specialist. In her new role, she is responsible for assisting with and supporting functions within employee relations, recruiting, and benefits administration. Kim also functions as the new employee liaison welcoming new employees to the Greenleaf Trust team. She also works with scholars and interns as […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

Christine Rantz joins Greenleaf Trust as an operations technician on the tax, reporting and compliance team. She is responsible for providing assistance in the areas of organizational compliance, client and organizational tax reporting and general trust operations. Christine has a background in financial and retail business operations, general accounting and two years in public accounting. […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

August 2015, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new hires Rachel A. Mortensen joins Greenleaf Trust as a team service coordinator and is responsible for providing comprehensive administrative support, day-to-day servicing of account needs, and driving the efforts of the client centric team. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University. […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

Heidi H. Butchma joins Greenleaf Trust as a research associate. She is responsible for supporting the research team as an analytical and administrative resource with particular focus on leveraging systems and data to drive analysis. Prior to Greenleaf, she held various financial analyst roles at Sun Trust Bank, American Express and J.P. Morgan. Heidi holds […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

Kalamazoo, MI, March 2012 — Greenleaf Trust recently announced the hire of nine new team members. Kendra A. Johnson Team Service Coordinator Kendra is responsible for providing comprehensive support and administrative assistance within the personal trust area and has three years experience in the financial industry. Kendra earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with […]

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Greenleaf Trust named One of West Michigan's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

Kalamazoo, MI, March 29, 2012 – The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) has recognized Greenleaf Trust as one of the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For™ in West Michigan. “Our goal is to consistently exceed the wants, needs and desires of our clients with an unparalleled degree of commitment. Achieving that goal is […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

Kalamazoo, MI, April 4, 2012 — Greenleaf Trust recently announced the hire of two new team members. Theresa A. Decker Team Service Coordinator In addition to providing comprehensive support and administrative assistance within the personal trust area, Theresa supports the business development team. Theresa has earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. Josh D. […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

Kalamazoo, MI, August 2012 — Greenleaf Trust recently announced the hire of three new team members. Bethany L. Cwalina Participant Services Coordinator Bethany provides education and communication services to participants of various retirement plans. She also conducts retirement plan enrollment meetings, meets with plan participants, develops educational and informational materials, and supports the participant call […]

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Greenleaf Trust named one of West Michigan's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

Birmingham, MI, August 28, 2012 – The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) has recognized Greenleaf Trust as one of the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For™ in Metropolitan Detroit. “Our goal is to consistently exceed the wants, needs and desires of our clients with an unparalleled degree of commitment. Achieving that goal is […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

Kalamazoo, MI — September 13, 2012 Greenleaf Trust, the Michigan-based wealth management firm, today announced the hiring of Thomas L. Drews, who will serve as Executive Vice President and Director of Operations. Mr. Drews is accountable for leading Greenleaf Trust’s Operations Division which consists of account administration, processing, tax, reporting and compliance. He has more […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

Kalamazoo, MI — September 2012 Greenleaf Trust, the Michigan-based wealth management firm, today announced the hiring of Nicholas A. Juhle, who has joined the company’s retirement plan services team. Nicholas A. Juhle, CFA Mutual Fund Analyst Nick is responsible for mutual fund investment analysis contributing to broader wealth management strategies and supporting retirement plan services. […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hires

Kalamazoo, MI — September 17, 2012 Greenleaf Trust, the Michigan-based wealth management firm, today announced the hiring of two employees who have joined the company’s retirement plan services team. Bethany L. Cwalina Participant Services Coordinator Bethany provides education and communication services to participants of various retirement plans. She also conducts retirement plan enrollment meetings, meets […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

Kalamazoo, MI, December 2012 – Greenleaf Trust, the Michigan-based wealth management firm, today announced the hiring of Patricia J. Chibende, who will serve as an Operations Technician. Patricia is responsible for all aspects of operations, focusing on the timely and accurate execution of operations activities, including dividend and interest posting, cash processing, reconcilement, and corporate […]

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Meto Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For 'Elite Winners' Announced

Warren, Mich., Sept. 27, 2012 — With an impressive demonstration of innovative human resources programming, 12 local companies were recognized with the title of Elite Winner at today’s “Metro Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” annual awards competition. The event, presented by the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), recognizes only 12 […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new hire

Kalamazoo, MI, January 2014 – Greenleaf Trust announces new hire Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce that Michael Ruchti has joined the firm as Chief Financial Officer. Michael is responsible for Greenleaf Trust’s financial operations including all accounting, tax, financial planning and reporting, and business case development activities. He has over 15 years of experience […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces promotions on client centric team

Stacy Beekman, CTFA has been promoted to assistant vice president, senior trust relationship officer. She is responsible for the day-to-day trust administration and fiduciary compliance of her clients. She has over 20 years in the financial services industry and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand Valley State University. Stacy is also a […]

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Back into a Bear Market and to a New Year-to-Date Low

Back into a Bear Market and Near the Year’s Low The markets are experiencing another volatile quarter. We are writing today to provide an update on what’s changed since the official start of the bear market back in June. We will also provide some historical context on bear markets and share our thoughts of what […]

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Fed Hikes Another 0.75%; Year End Target to 4.25%-4.50%

Side by Side Statement Comparison: Attachment: https://file.ac/3J4OO5c0VOs/ Fed raises interest rates by another 0.75% as inflation remains too high. The policy range is now 3.00%-3.25%. The Fed projects 5 more 2022 hikes and a year-end target rate of 4.25%-4.50%. The Fed projects 1 hike in 2023 before easing in 2024. At its meeting today the […]

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Greenleaf Trust adds to the Retirement Plan Division and The Family Office at Greenleaf Trust

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to welcome two new teammates and announce the promotion of Steve Wilbur. Joining the Retirement Plan Division, Greenleaf Trust welcomes Katie Mallette, QPA®, QKA®, ERPA as senior recordkeeping analyst – team lead. Katie’s primary responsibilities include day-to-day recordkeeping of participant retirement accounts and annual compliance work on retirement plans, as well […]

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Greenleaf Trust Receives Honors as Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in Wellness, Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in Metro Detroit, and Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation

Greenleaf Trust, a Michigan-chartered wealth management firm with $16 billion in assets under advisement, announced it’s been named a Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in Metro Detroit, Wellness and the Nation. The three awards come after previously being named Best and Brightest to Work For® in West Michigan earlier this year. Best and […]

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August Retail Sales – Better Than Expected

U.S. consumers showed resilience in August as real retail sales grew 0.8% year-over-year and 0.2% month-over-month.  In nominal terms, retail spending increased 9.1% for the year and 0.3% compared to July.  Economists were anticipating a month-over-month decline of 0.1%.  The value of sales at gas stations dropped again on lower fuel prices, likely freeing up […]

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August Inflation – Higher Than Hoped Despite Declines at the Pump

U.S. inflation was more resilient than anticipated in August despite falling energy prices, keeping pressure on the Fed to implement a third 75 bps rate increase later this month.  The Consumer Price Index rose 8.3% from a year earlier, down from 8.5% in July and a peak of 9.1% in June, but higher than expected.  […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces CFP® Certification

April 2019, Grand Rapids, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces CFP® Certification Wealth Management Advisor Jeff T. Pauza, CFA, CFP® at Greenleaf Trust in Grand Rapids has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) to use the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® certification marks in accordance with CFP Board certification and […]

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Perspectives Newsletter September 2022

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