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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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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 […]

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 […]

Retirement security has been a featured topic with legislation over the past several years and was recently on the agenda again.  Back in December of 2019, Americans saw a number of changes to their retirement savings plans when the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, or the SECURE Act, became law. One requirement […]

“Many forms of conduct permissible in a workaday world for those acting at arm’s-length, are forbidden to those bound by fiduciary ties. A trustee is held to something stricter than the morals of the marketplace. Not honesty alone, but the punctilio of an honor the most sensitive, is the standard of behavior.” Meinhard v. Salmon, […]

It’s hard to believe but the little company we started in a historic home on the corner of South and Westnedge streets in Kalamazoo will be 24 years old this month. In May of 1998 we received our charter to become one of Michigan’s first trust only banks open to the public and in July […]

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Over the past few years, our world and many workplaces have shifted dramatically as we endured a global pandemic. While employers focused on workforce reductions and remote work, setting priorities for their 401(k)/403(b) plans was often low on the priority list. However, as life begins to normalize, we are beginning to see a renewed interest […]

The year 2022 has been challenging across financial markets, to say the least. While it is best to stay disciplined during times of uncertainty to achieve long-term goals, that does not mean we avoid making changes. Tax-loss harvesting is a strategy that we consistently use for clients regardless of economic conditions. Given the challenging market […]

As we work with clients to fulfill their goals and objectives, one of the most common strategies that we discuss is gifting. Making gifts to achieve goals and objectives, which are often generational in nature, requires a great amount of analysis and detailed execution to attain the desired outcome. Gifting strategies vary widely depending on […]

The development of our talent is critical to our growth. As we continue to find and hire new teammates we need to make sure they are properly supported. We do this by making sure every teammate in our organization has a coach. The coach’s primary responsibility is to support and develop those they lead along […]

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Have you ever wondered why diversification in your portfolio matters? Before we answer the question, have you ever heard of Michel de Nostradamus? Nostradamus was born December 14, 1503 in Saint-Remy, France during the Renaissance. He was a physician and an astrologer, and was regarded for his insight and ability to foretell what the future […]

The COVID pandemic, and now the war in Ukraine, continue to significantly impact the world and pull on the heart strings of many, leaving them searching for ways to help. In times like these, the number of organizations bidding for your donations generally increases. As urgent needs present, the decision to donate may be an […]

In 2021, more than 65 million Americans received Social Security benefits totaling, in aggregate, more than one trillion dollars. In April of each year, the trustees of the Social Security trust fund are supposed to report on the current and projected status of this highly relied upon program. Last year, the report was not published […]

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great way to cover medical and long-term care costs in the owner’s retirement years when those expenses increase exponentially with the owner’s age. The only real tax drawback to accumulating wealth in an HSA is when the account is inherited after the account owner’s death by a non-spouse beneficiary. […]

As one of our four “Cs” – Clients, Colleagues, Communities, and Culture – the communities that we live and work in are very important to us. We value giving back to them and making them stronger and more vibrant. As such, we empower our team to support their communities and causes within those communities in […]