Throughout Greenleaf Trust’s history, we have been privileged to serve clients who not only have high standards for financial and investment advice, but that also have strong personal commitments to their values and their communities. Historically, many of our clients did not view their purchasing and investing decisions as a primary means of expressing their […]

President Trump and Vice President Biden have provided some direction on what changes they would like to see in the funding of Social Security, but they have largely avoided any substantive proposals. Regardless of which one is president come November, funding of the social program will need to be addressed. The issues surrounding Social Security, […]

“2020 marks the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in the U.S.,” says Catherine Collinson, president and CEO of the Transamerica Institute and the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. “Since then, women have made great strides in educational achievement and career opportunities. Despite this progress, they continue to be at greater risk than men […]

Given the growing needs of charitable organizations during this global health crisis, 2020 may present compelling planning opportunities to make immediate gifts of cash at a time when they are sorely needed. With the recently-enacted CARES Act, individuals may receive increased income tax benefits while helping charitable organizations. The CARES Act allows individuals who itemize […]

I am happy to provide just a brief introduction to this article from our Executive Director of Development, Perry Wolfe, on investing in our communities. Rather than hear it from me, though, I wanted you to hear how important it is to Greenleaf Trust directly from him as he helps lead one of our community […]

COVID-19 has taken a lot from us; travel, impromptu in-person visits with family and friends and freedom to go to a concert, movie theatre or ball game with nary a thought. It has also made many of us anxious and fearful about today and our future and that of our families. While we are getting […]

It was the summer of 1985, and I had just graduated from high school. My Dad and I were headed to Cedar Point. We hadn’t been in years and this would be our last father daughter outing before I headed off to college. I couldn’t wait! I bragged to my friends that the first thing […]

Parents will often add an adult child’s name to their bank accounts, home, and other assets, believing it will make it easier for the child to help them manage their finances and their property as they grow older. While this “do-it-yourself” approach is fairly common among aging parents, the truth is that adding your child’s […]

Many estate plans make use of a list that identifies items of tangible personal property that are to be allocated among designated beneficiaries on the owner’s death. The list is usually incorporated by reference into a Will or a Trust, such as: I may leave a list that is attached to this Will, and if […]

The internet is an amazing tool. It has provided us near instant access to a wealth of information at our fingertips. Not to mention, helping us to stay connected remotely during these unusual times. However, as more and more individuals do their banking, bill paying, shopping, etc., online, it also opens us up to greater […]

The notion of a “traditional” family has certainly changed over time. The days of “Leave it to Beaver” are becoming less and less common. In fact, today, only about 35% of American families are comprised of a traditional heterosexual married couple with children. Apart from 35% that are labeled “traditional,” 31% are childless families and […]

As we continue to navigate through these uncertain times, filled with new challenges and concerns, having a dynamic wealth management relationship with a professional advisor has never been more important. A good financial plan should cover every facet of financial planning including life insurance, which can be an important and foundational element to financial wellbeing. […]

In 1996, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan famously coined the phrase “irrational exuberance” during his speech at the American Enterprise Institute. Chairman Greenspan attempted to warn of highly elevated market valuations, particularly across much of the technology sector. Investors not only ignored his warning, but also drove the NASDAQ up another 300% before peaking on March […]

I recently read an interesting article titled Microsoft Analyzed Data On Its Newly Remote Workforce in Harvard Business Review. The article described what Microsoft learned over the last four months when they studied how flexible and adaptable their work might or might not be, how collaboration and networks morph in remote settings, what agility looks […]

While IRAs are common, flexible vehicles for retirement savings and great planning tools, the beneficiary distribution rules are complicated, and became even more so with the passage of the SECURE Act in December. IRAs often represent a significant portion of a person’s investment portfolio; naming the beneficiary or beneficiaries is an important decision and worthy […]

You have your favorite charities and you know the areas of the community on which you wish to make an impact, but in times of crisis and emergency are you ready to pivot and provide support to those most affected by the crisis? Have you thought about whether or not you would want to pivot? […]

Since 2002, plan sponsors have been able to electronically furnish plan information and notices in relation to qualified retirement plans; however, electronic distribution was only allowable if the employee gave consent to agree to receive electronic communications. Also, if an employer determined electronic distribution was allowable on the basis of all employees having access to […]

A donor advised fund is, in effect, a charitable savings account. A donor advised fund permits an individual donor to make a donation without choosing a specific charity at the time the gift. The transfer of cash or assets to the donor advised fund sponsor permits the donor to claim an immediate income tax charitable […]

As you have heard from our founder and Chairman, William D. Johnston, making progress on elimination of institutional racism is indeed hard work and Greenleaf Trust in values, mission and deed is committed to that essential progress. There cannot be any distance between the values we express and our actions as a collective company. We […]

As the world begins to re-open and re-define what it looks like to return to some sense of “normal,” there are many factors to consider. From a federal, state and local level, information is rampant and quickly changing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. One thing has remained the same throughout, a focus on keeping […]

After reaching a high on February 19, COVID-19 and the decline in oil prices drove selling pressure on the Standard & Poor’s 500, leading to a 34% decline by March 23. Actions taken by the Federal Reserve Board and spending programs by the federal government have helped this equity market index climb by almost 36% […]

Given the current state of our environment, many estate plans have been accelerated, which could include creating and transferring assets into an irrevocable trust to benefit family members. For several reasons, grantors may worry about beneficiaries becoming aware of a trust. Delaware may be a venue to alleviate grantors’ fears. Traditionally, when someone is interested […]

Financial wellness, and the need for employee financial wellness programs, has increasingly gained attention in the past decade. Pre-COVID-19, offering a financial wellness program to employees was considered a value-added benefit, but the coronavirus pandemic suggests it is now an urgent necessity with a major emphasis on emergency savings. Simply put, financial wellness is the […]

A durable power of attorney is an important part of any estate plan. With a durable power of attorney, an attorney-in-fact (agent) can manage an individual’s (principal) financial affairs without the need for a probate court appointed conservator when the principal is either unable, or incapable, of making decisions. While a durable power of attorney […]