October 9, 2023
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October 9, 2023
Two Heads Are Better Than One
I have experienced many times the value that diversity of background and thought have added to the work we do on behalf of our clients and how we collaborate with teammates. It’s the main reason we serve clients with three-person client-centric teams supported by the larger team.
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October 9, 2023
Economic Commentary
After two big steps forward in the first half of the year, the third quarter was arguably a half step back for the markets.
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October 9, 2023
The Greatest Gift
One of the most important tasks we frequently do with our clients is to review their estate planning documents in the context of changes in tax law, fiduciary law, assets, goals and objectives, and family changes.
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October 9, 2023
Plan Sponsors Should Focus on Plan Governance and Plan Outcomes
Solid retirement plan governance process helps protect fiduciaries from liability.
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October 9, 2023
Unlocking Financial Clarity: Monte Carlo Analysis and Its Role in Decision Making
Monte Carlo analysis can illuminate the long-term consequences of early-life purchases and aid in making complex financial decisions.
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October 5, 2023
Greenleaf Trust announces Crain’s Detroit Excellence in HR recipient
Senior Human Resources Specialist, Kim Dudley, has recently earned a place on Crain’s Detroit’s Excellence in HR List.
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October 6, 2023
September Jobs – Hiring Surges, Tough Print For the Fed
U.S. hiring unexpectedly surged in September by the most since January, highlighting continuing resiliency of the labor market and bolstering the case for another Fed rate hike.
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October 6, 2023
Maggie Steffy
Maggie Steffy’s journey from her small-town roots in Petoskey to her new role as a business development officer at Greenleaf Trust in northern Michigan is a remarkable one. She ventured to Kalamazoo for her college education, where she double majored in economics and Spanish, embracing the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. […]
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October 4, 2023
D Business: Greenleaf Trust Adds Six New Team Members
D Business shares Greenleaf Trust’s six new teammates
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September 16, 2023
Go Banking Rates: 6 Financial Emergencies Where It’s OK To Withdraw From Your Retirement Savings
Rosie Hall is quoted on early IRA withdrawals
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September 12, 2023
Greenleaf Trust recognized on list of Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan by Best Companies Group and Crain’s Detroit Business
Greenleaf Trust was named as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan on Aug. 28. The annual list of the Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan was created by Best Companies Group in partnership with Crain’s Detroit Business. This statewide survey and awards program identifies, recognizes and honors the best […]
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September 5, 2023
Strategic Planning Season
It’s an exciting time of year for us. Yes, we are all excited about college football, kids returning to school, and pumpkin spice everything. We are really excited though because it is our strategic planning season.
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September 5, 2023
Economic Commentary
After five straight months of gains, and a year-to-date return of more than 20% through July, the S&P 500 retreated 1.6% in August.
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September 5, 2023
More Will Be ABLE
Like other states, Michigan provides the opportunity for disabled individuals to hold investments to help them cover costs that support their health, independence, and quality of life without affecting their federal Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) support. ABLE is the acronym for Achieving a Better Life Experience.
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September 5, 2023
SECURE Act 2.0 – Mandatory and Optional Provisions
On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which included a major package of retirement savings provisions known as SECURE Act 2.0. There is a lot in SECURE Act 2.0. Consideration of and compliance of provisions will require due diligence.
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September 5, 2023
The Chosen One or The One Who is Chosen – Trustee Considerations
Even if you are 100% convinced problems will not arise amongst your family, naming one of them to act as your trustee may be teeing up a perfect storm for problems to surface.
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September 5, 2023
Recasting a Solution
When working alongside a client, it is essential to take stock of the personal values that create an environment for them to live authentically.
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September 5, 2023
Generative AI: Proceed with Caution
Artificial Intelligence (AI) currently dominates the technology headlines, and rightfully so. The launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in November 2022 has ushered in a revolutionary era of more natural and efficient human-technology interaction.
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September 5, 2023
September 2023 Perspectives Newsletter
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September 1, 2023
August Jobs – Resilience and Moderation
Hiring up and wage growth down. U.S. hiring accelerated in August and wage growth cooled – opposing signals from today’s report. The U.S. labor market added 187K jobs, the unemployment rate rose 0.3% to 3.8%, and wage moderated. A resilient labor market has been key to ongoing economic expansion in 2023. While job openings and […]
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August 30, 2023
Greenleaf Trust announces addition of six team members
Greenleaf Trust continues to grow across the state of Michigan with the addition of six teammates across the company.
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August 29, 2023
Greenleaf Trust announces two Certified Trust Operations Professional® certifications.
Greenleaf Trust is pleased to share Assistant Director of Operations, Andrea Stidmon, and Senior Trust Operations Analyst, Hayley Smith-Bailey, have successfully achieved their Certified Trust Operations Professional (CTOP®) certification. As Assistant Director of Operations, Andrea provides leadership to the Operations Division and is responsible for the oversight of trust operations performed to accurately reflect all […]
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Purpose Jobs Recognizes Michael Odar as a Top Purpose-Driven CEO in 2023
Purpose Jobs, the largest community of purpose-driven professionals, announced Greenleaf Trust President and CEO, Michael Odar, had been named to the list of best purpose-driven CEOs in 2023. These CEOs were nominated and selected based on the following criteria: communication and transparency, strategy and vision, high EQ and empathy, high integrity and commitment to purpose-driven […]
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August 25, 2023
Greenleaf Trust announces promotion of Jeff Pauza to Vice President, Assistant Director of Wealth Management
Greenleaf Trust is pleased to share the promotion of Jeff Pauza to Vice President, Assistant Director of Wealth Management.
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August 21, 2023
MLive: Wallet Watch: American credit card debt reached unprecedented high this summer
Chief Investment Officer, Nicholas Juhle, was featured in MLive.com article on the unprecedented height of credit card debt.
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August 22, 2023
Purpose Jobs: The Best Purpose-Driven CEOs in 2023
President and CEO, Michael Odar, has been named one of the best purpose-driven CEOs by Purpose Jobs.
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August 18, 2023
Michiganders lean on credit cards as Americans reach record $1 trillion in debt
“The current state of credit card indebtedness among Americans is, in large part, because of changes to household finances following the COVID-19 pandemic, said Nick Juhle, chief investment officer at Kalamazoo-based financial management firm Greenleaf Trust.”
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August 16, 2023
July Retail Sales – Tops Forecasts
Today’s report suggests that American consumers, supported by a strong labor market and rising wages, continue to support a growing economy despite tightening monetary policy.
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August 10, 2023
July Inflation – Better Than Expected
On a year-over-year basis, July inflation data showed overall annualized price increases accelerated slightly to 3.3% (from 3.0% in June) largely owing to base effects of a tougher prior-year compare as peak inflation levels of 9.1% recorded in June 2022 have now annualized.
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August 4, 2023
The Importance of Inclusion in Our Culture
We are on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) journey and have been for the last 25 years. We believe in the benefits of bringing uniquely different people with uniquely different backgrounds together within a unique culture.
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August 4, 2023
Economic Commentary
If you sold in May and went away this year, my condolences. The third quarter is off to a healthy start. Investment markets performed well in July, and while second quarter earnings are down compared to a year ago (as expected), forecasts call for recovery in the second half and a strong outlook for 2024.
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August 4, 2023
Leaving a Digital Legacy
Have you ever Googled the answer to a question that you were too embarrassed to ask anyone else? For example, “Why does my dog keep sniffing my eyes?” or “Why am I lightheaded?” My sister and close friends know the first thing they need to do when I pass away is to erase my Google […]
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August 4, 2023
Retirement Plan Audits – First Time?
What to expect during your first Retirement Plan audit.
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August 4, 2023
Points Power-Up: Maximizing Credit Card Rewards for Travel
When it comes to credit cards, there are many different types of cards you can carry, some of which include standard cards, travel cards, cashback cards and store specific credit cards.
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August 4, 2023
August 2023 Perspectives Newsletter
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August 3, 2023
The Do Diligence Podcast: The Long Term Business with Bill Johnston
Chairman, William D. Johnston, sat down with Sleeping Giant Capital to discuss culture, and long term success in business on The Do Diligence Podcast.
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July 26, 2023
Fed Raises 0.25% as Expected; Keeps Options Open
Fed raises interest rates by 0.25%, bringing the Fed Funds Rate range to 5.25-5.50% – the highest level in 22 years. The committee left the door open to additional increases as policymakers continue their efforts to quell inflation.
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July 25, 2023
MLive: For Kalamazoo icon Bill Johnston, it’s not about leaving a legacy
Subscriber exclusive article by Ryan Boldrey at MLive
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July 18, 2023
June Retail Sales – Below Estimates
U.S. retail sales came in below expectations on a month-over-month basis, and remained soft year-over-year. In real terms, retail spending was unchanged compared to May and declined 1.5% year-over-year.
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July 18, 2023
Greenleaf Trust announces promotions
Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce promotions on the client centric and research teams.
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July 18, 2023
Greenleaf Trust announces division and role changes
Senior Business Process Analyst, Asa Davis, has recently changed divisions from the Business Information Services Division to the Retirement Plan Services Division. Asa will focus on identifying business improvements and opportunities for organizational development. He has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and […]
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July 12, 2023
June Inflation – Cools to 3%, Better Than Expected
June inflation data showed overall annualized price increases slowing for a twelfth straight month to 3.0% – down from a June 2022 peak of 9.1% and to the lowest level in more than two years.
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July 11, 2023
Opened in 1998 with a single client, Kalamazoo financial firm now manages $17B
Chairman, William D. Johnston, and President and CEO, Michael F. Odar, reflect on 25 years of growth, culture and continuous improvement.
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July 7, 2023
June Jobs – Signs of Cooling, But Wage Growth Supports a July Hike
The U.S. labor market added 209K jobs, the unemployment rate fell 0.1% to 3.6%, and wage growth held steady in June. On July 26, Fed policymakers will decide whether or not to raise interest rates by another 0.25% after pausing in June.
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July 7, 2023
A Brief History of the Last 25 Years
Mike Odar reflects on the 25 years of Greenleaf Trust
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July 7, 2023
2023 Mid-Year Update
After a challenging 2022, investors should be pleased with the market experience in the first half of 2023. In stark contrast to a period when both stocks and bonds moved lower together, financial markets have largely been in recovery mode over the last six months. Several positive themes have bolstered markets including a strong labor […]
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July 7, 2023
Selecting the Wrong Trustee
The selection of a trustee is pretty much the choice between either a professional or an amateur
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July 7, 2023
Health Savings Account: The Triple Crown Advantage
The triple tax benefit of Health Savings Accounts
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July 7, 2023
Hardship Withdrawals Are on the Rise
How to Help Participants Balance Current Needs vs Future Security
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