August 8, 2012
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 8, 2012
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 8, 2012
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. […]
Read MoreSeptember 8, 2012
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 […]
Read MoreOctober 8, 2012
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 […]
Read MoreOctober 8, 2012
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 […]
Read MoreDecember 9, 2012
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 23, 2022
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 23, 2022
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 21, 2022
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2022
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2022
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2022
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 14, 2022
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. […]
Read MoreSeptember 13, 2022
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2022
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View PDFSeptember 9, 2022
The year 2022 has kept us on our toes. Stock market volatility, inflation, and world turmoil have led the way. However, among all the noise, there have been some highlights that are worth exploring. One catching our attention: Series I Savings bonds. But are they worth the hype? Since February 2022, nearly $11 billion in […]
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2022
My husband tells me that to do any job right, you need the right tools. He practices what he preaches because we have a garage full of tools for any job you can imagine. (He and Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor have a lot in common.) The problem is, I can stand in our garage […]
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2022
Many employers who sponsor a 401(k) plan use a pre-approved plan document with adoption agreements. Every six years, plan document providers update their 401(k) documents with regulatory changes and file them with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for review and approval. Once the documents have been pre-approved by the IRS, employers must adopt this pre-approved […]
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2022
Federal interest rates are on the rise, which opens new planning options for many individuals to consider. These federal interest rates are used to value retained interests for federal gift tax purposes. Specifically, the so-called IRC 7520 rate is equal to the mid-term applicable federal rate (AFR) times 120%, rounded to the nearest two tenths […]
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2022
Many investors and market pundits describe themselves as contrarians. They argue the way to investment success is to zig when others zag. Warren Buffet encapsulates the idea well with his famous quote, “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” It sounds simple, but how do you know when others are […]
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2022
Well, summer is just about over. There is a slight breeze in the air, the kids are back in school, football is back, and pumpkin flavored coffee is back in the stores. It was a beautiful busy summer with even more normalcy seemingly returning to our lives. We were certainly busy at Greenleaf Trust, so […]
Read MoreSeptember 2, 2022
Solid job gains and higher participation underpin consumer health, illuminates Fed challenges. U.S. employers added jobs at a healthy, yet more moderate pace in August, offering little definitive evidence of an economic slowdown despite an increase in the unemployment rate. Labor force participation increased and wage growth decelerated slightly. Overall, the report highlights a continued […]
Read MoreAugust 31, 2022
Joshua Gibbs was interviewed by Lisa Enos at the Grand Rapids Business Journal. Read more here.
Read MoreAugust 29, 2022
Chief Investment Officer Nicholas Juhle was featured in MLive about the current economy and the importance of long-term planning. Read more here.
Read MoreAugust 25, 2022
Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce Karen Baldwin has been named Leadership Exemplar in Business at HumanEx Impact and Legacy Summit. Executive Vice President, Director of Human Resources Karen Baldwin, CSP™, SHRM-SCP™, was named a Leadership Exemplar in Business at last month’s HumanEx Impact and Legacy Summit. HumanEx Ventures is committed to collaborating with leaders […]
Read MoreAugust 25, 2022
Chief Investment Officer Nick Juhle participated in an interview focusing on Student Loan Forgiveness with Channel 13 News. Read and watch here.
Read MoreAugust 25, 2022
Greenleaf Trust’s Crain’s #1 Cool Place to Work published in Yahoo! Entertainment.
Read MoreAugust 22, 2022
Greenleaf Trust has been recognized as the number one Cool Place to Work for medium sized businesses and the sixth overall by Crain’s Detroit Business. Cool Places to Work in Michigan is a research-driven program from Best Companies Group. The award focuses on a company’s practices, programs and benefits and surveys employees from their perspective. […]
Read MoreAugust 19, 2022
July retail sales were flat compared to a month earlier as sharp declines in gasoline prices and auto purchases masked better results in other categories. Excluding gasoline and autos, retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.7%. The significant drop in gas prices likely aided consumer sentiment while freeing up cash to spend elsewhere. The Fed continues […]
Read MoreAugust 18, 2022
Greenleaf Trust was featured in culture article in Crain’s Detroit Business. Read more here. (Subscriber only article)
Read MoreAugust 10, 2022
U.S. inflation decelerated more than expected in July on lower energy prices, which may reduce pressure on the Fed to continue on its aggressive rate hiking path. The Consumer Price Index rose 8.5% from a year earlier, cooling from the 9.1% (40 year high) in June as a decline in gasoline prices offset increases in […]
Read MoreAugust 8, 2022
Summer is a special time in our pleasant peninsula. Many Michiganders pack the kids into the station wagon and head off to explore areas outside of their home towns. This article will address what Michiganders might observe on their travels. Specifically, it will cover how Michigan’s economy is faring 10 years after the financial crisis. […]
Read MoreAugust 8, 2022
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Read MoreAugust 8, 2022
Michigan previously enacted the Qualified Dispositions in Trust Act of 2016 which allowed for the creation of Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (“DAPT”). A DAPT is an irrevocable trust that, if certain conditions are met, can shield assets from the claims of a person’s creditors. Individuals who are in professions or businesses with high liability exposure […]
Read MoreAugust 8, 2022
For an investor, this famous proverb can be broken down into three parts: Slow – be a long-term investor, and Steady – be disciplined and stick with your investment plan through varying market cycles Wins the Race – achieve your financial goals and objectives. Simple math, right? 1+2=3. Unfortunately, it is not that simple when […]
Read MoreAugust 8, 2022
This year has offered its fair share of challenges for financial markets and global economies. The R-word has been a constant in the minds of employers and employees alike; not recession but resignation. In what is being dubbed the ‘great resignation,’ employers have faced a historically tight labor market, rising wages, and the need to […]
Read MoreAugust 8, 2022
Several years ago, my five-year-old was sitting at the table as I prepared his breakfast of cereal and fruit. I slid a bowl of Cheerios to him with a glass of milk and began peeling a banana. Just before I handed it to him, I took a large bite off the end. “Hey,” he remarked, […]
Read MoreAugust 8, 2022
As Internet usage has increased over the past 20 years, there has been a shift in how we are relying on the comfort of online transactions and communications. It has become a normality to engage on the Internet with our email addresses, phone numbers, names, and other login credentials. At the same time, we have […]
Read MoreAugust 3, 2022
Fed raises interest rates by 0.75%, bringing the Fed Funds Rate range to 2.25-2.50%. The FOMC is projecting 4 additional hikes this year, taking the year-end range to 3.25-3.50%. The market is aligned with the Fed, pricing in a year-end range of 3.25%-3.50%. At its meeting today the FOMC voted unanimously to raise the Federal […]
Read MoreAugust 3, 2022
This morning, the Bureau of Economic Analysis delivered an advance estimate of second quarter GDP growth. The report showed that real GDP decreased at an annual rate of 0.9% in the second quarter following a decrease of 1.6% in the first quarter. In yesterday’s Fed update, we cautioned that a negative GDP print could trigger […]
Read MoreAugust 3, 2022
Greenleaf Trust is pleased to welcome an associate program team lead, trust relationship officer, and two new team service coordinators: Carlos Clay Jr. joins Greenleaf Trust as an associate program team lead in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is responsible for assisting with leading the administration and day-to-day responsibilities of special programs, to include the Greenleaf Trust […]
Read MoreJuly 29, 2022
July 25, 2022, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust adds to Kalamazoo team Greenleaf Trust is pleased to welcome the following teammates to our Personal Trust, Retirement Plan, and Operations Divisions: Michael Holmes, JD joins the client centric team as a trust relationship officer. He specializes in providing a trust perspective to all wealth management discussions, […]
Read MoreJuly 29, 2022
Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce three promotions: Ondrea Brussee has been promoted to database application support specialist as a part of our Business Information Services Division. She is responsible for the support and administration of applications within database systems. She is also responsible for data reporting, data visualization and process documentation. Ondrea is a graduate […]
Read MoreJuly 26, 2022
Greenleaf Trust announces CPWA® Certification Senior Wealth Management Advisor achieves Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation: Greenleaf Trust is pleased to share that senior wealth management advisor Corbin Donaldson, CFP®, CPWA® successfully completed the Certified Private Wealth Advisor Designation Program offered through the Investments & Wealth Institute and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. […]
Read MoreJuly 18, 2022
Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce retirement plan certification for Chris Sharp Senior Relationship Specialist Chris Sharp, QKA® successfully completed the American Society of Pension Professionals program and examination to become a Qualified 401(k) Administrator®. The program focuses on the development of technical skills needed to work with 401(k) plans. Candidates for the certification must […]
Read MoreJuly 13, 2022
U.S. inflation came in higher than expected in June, which will keep the Fed on an aggressive tightening path intended to tamp down demand. Policymakers have already signaled a second 75 bp rate hike to come later this month, which should be considered the base case following today’s report. Some economists have suggested that June […]
Read MoreJuly 8, 2022
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Read MoreJuly 8, 2022
A directed trust is a feature that can be included in various types of trusts, and provides the ability to bifurcate trustee duties between administration, investment, and distributions. Grantor’s commonly use directed trusts to give more control to current and future beneficiaries. Especially in cases where the trust holds family owned investments so the family […]
Read MoreJuly 8, 2022
The word “annuities” can generate a range of reactions from clients, their family members, and their advisors. Some reactions are positive while others are not so much. Everyone, however, can agree that they can be very complex. That said, sales of annuities were exceptionally strong during 2021 up 16% to $254.8 billion. Some of this […]
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