January 15, 2021
Year in Review of Financial Markets and Outlook for 2021
Presented by William D. Johnston, Chairman, and Nicholas A. Juhle, CFA®, Director of Research.
Read MoreJanuary 15, 2021
Presented by William D. Johnston, Chairman, and Nicholas A. Juhle, CFA®, Director of Research.
Read MoreJanuary 13, 2021
“These students have faced 2020 with such resiliency, and we congratulate them on their successful college careers and brilliant futures.” Chairman William Johnston could not have said it better. We are so honored to see our scholars’ successes featured in Grand Rapids Business Journal. We cannot wait to see where life takes them next! Read […]
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2021
This time of year retirement plan providers are gearing up to complete the annual Actual Deferral Percentage (ADP) tests for qualified retirement plans. This test in particular can be very impactful to certain plan participants. This is a non-discrimination test for 401(k) plans mandated by the IRS to ensure that a plan does not unduly […]
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2021
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Read MoreJanuary 8, 2021
If the title of this article caught your eye, you likely have spent time, energy and resources establishing a thoughtful estate plan. You have presumably run through a variety of questions and scenarios with your estate planning attorney. You understand the importance of structuring your estate plan appropriately for your family and your financial situation. […]
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it the sudden reality-check of our own incapacity and mortality. We all now pause to ask the rhetorical questions: Who possesses the authority to pull the plug if I am in an irreversible coma? Who handles my finances if I am in an extended hospital stay recovering from COVID-19? How […]
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2021
When we hosted 2020 outlook seminars last January, the coronavirus didn’t even make the “other risks” section of the presentation. By March, all bets were off and it was clear that our experience with the virus and the economic implications of containment efforts would get significantly worse before getting better. The shock to the economy […]
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2021
Although it doesn’t show up on our balance sheet, at Greenleaf Trust our greatest asset is our team of talented people who we often refer to internally as “Greenleafians.” Our unique culture would not exist without them. And that is why we invest so much in their selection, development, and growth. We are a talent-based […]
Read MoreJanuary 4, 2021
Kalamazoo, MI, February 2012 — Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce the following promotions. Michael F. Odar, CFA has been promoted to Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Strategic Initiatives. With more than 18 years of experience in the investment field, Mike leads the execution of critically important initiatives across all company divisions and […]
Read MoreDecember 17, 2020
Senior Wealth Management Advisor Doug Bajor, and Investment Strategist, Senior Fixed Income Analyst Christopher Burns receive CFP® certifications Senior Wealth Management Advisor Doug Bajor, CFA®, CFP® at Greenleaf Trust in Birmingham has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) to use the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® certification marks in […]
Read MoreDecember 8, 2020
2020 has been the year of unprecedented actions and unknowns. The presidential election has followed suit in its unpredictability thus far. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been announced as winners of the 2020 election by the major news networks. As of today, the projected total electoral votes are 306 for Biden-Harris and 232 for […]
Read MoreDecember 8, 2020
We are in the midst of a traditional season of gifting and though it looks different, as do many things in 2020, we are still able to enjoy some of our favorite traditions and perhaps create a few new ones this year, as well. Often overlooked in our gift giving are the benefits and drawbacks […]
Read MoreDecember 8, 2020
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced key numbers that affect workers and retirees for 2021 – a substantial increase in the taxable wage base for workers and a minimal increase in benefits for retirees. The Social Security Wage Base, which is the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax, will rise 3.7% to […]
Read MoreDecember 8, 2020
The multiplicity of 2020 cataclysms notwithstanding, the year-end remittance of capital gain distributions by mutual funds is both predictable and well prepared for by the financial advisors at Greenleaf Trust. These distributions, which typically begin in late November and continue through mid-December, are nontraditional in the sense that fund investors can realize a tax liability […]
Read MoreDecember 8, 2020
I thought the title to this month’s newsletter article appropriate mostly because we are all thinking it after a challenging 2020. We just finished up our annual strategic planning process which culminates with our Advance and company-wide Strategic Planning meeting. And, we have a lot to look forward to in 2021. Our Advance is an […]
Read MoreDecember 7, 2020
Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce the addition of two new team members: Suzanne Stepan, CFA, CFP® joins Greenleaf Trust as vice president, senior wealth management advisor. Suzanne specializes in the development of comprehensive wealth management plans, the execution of goal-based planning strategies, and the management of client investment portfolios. She strives to provide remarkable […]
Read MoreDecember 4, 2020
December 1, 2020
In 1999, Greenleaf Trust leadership created the Greenleaf Scholars program to increase racial diversity both within our company and in the field of finance. To-date, nearly six dozen Western Michigan students have been awarded $1.6 million in scholarships to combat this issue. Read more in a recent MLive profile: https://bit.ly/3mnsRgG
Read MoreDecember 1, 2020
The goal of Greenleaf Scholars is to provide support and counsel for students of color studying finance. In the face of COVID-19 restrictions, Greenleaf Trust honored six Greenleaf Scholars by organizing a virtual commencement to celebrate their degrees. Read more in MLive: https://bit.ly/3ob39fU
Read MoreDecember 1, 2020
Event recognizes the accomplishments of six recipients of the Greenleaf Trust Scholarship, which is focused on increasing diversity in the areas of finance and personal financial planning December 1, 2020, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust, an independent Michigan-chartered, trust-only bank and wealth management firm with more than $14 billion in client assets under advisement, celebrated […]
Read MoreNovember 17, 2020
Marketing Assistant Taylor N. Farrell receives dual certification from Digital Marketing Institute and American Marketing Association Marketing Assistant Taylor Farrell, CDMP, PCM®, at Greenleaf Trust in has earned professional designation as a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) in Digital Marketing from the American Marketing Association and a Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) from the Digital Marketing […]
Read MoreNovember 15, 2020
Director of Research Nicholas Juhle provides insight to the markets amid surging COVID-19 cases. Read more in The Hill
Read MoreNovember 12, 2020
Greenleaf Trust has written and spoken a fair amount about the 2020 U.S. election. If you pay attention, you know that we do not advise speculating with your portfolio on the outcome. In his last article, our Director of Investment Research, Nick Juhle wrote: “Your investment objectives have a longer life than politicians and election […]
Read MoreNovember 6, 2020
November 4, 2020, Birmingham, MI – Greenleaf Trust, a Michigan-chartered wealth management firm with nearly $12 billion in assets under advisement, announced that in addition to being recognized as a Metro Detroit’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®, the firm has also been named 2020 Elite Award Winner for Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions. […]
Read MoreNovember 6, 2020
November 6, 2020
We are quickly approaching the end of 2020, and like most, frantically preparing for a season filled with friends, family, and festivities. This year might have a different twist, but the preparation likely remains the same. Like most Michiganders, it’s that time of year where we confirm our Amazon accounts are set-up for two-day shipping […]
Read MoreNovember 6, 2020
The gift of a remainder interest in a personal residence or a farm to a charity entitles the donor to an immediate charitable income tax deduction which can be used of off-set taxable income, or keep the donor in a marginally lower income tax bracket. The Tax Code regulates the form and type of charitable […]
Read MoreNovember 6, 2020
Late last year, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act made significant improvements in the U.S. retirement system. Along with certain provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in early 2020, we have welcomed many retirement plan legislative changes over the last 12 months. But it’s election time, […]
Read MoreNovember 6, 2020
As a long-time friend of Greenleaf Trust specializing in foreign economic and financial markets, John Graham shares his global investment perspective as a guest contributor in this month’s Perspectives. John is a founding member of Rogge Global Partners headquartered in Great Britain and former head of JP Morgan’s Multicurrency Asset Management Practice in London. Historians, […]
Read MoreNovember 6, 2020
Consider these statistics from the recently released U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse survey conducted in collaboration with multiple federal agencies. Data was collected between mid-August and mid-October: Nearly 37% of households have at least one adult that has substituted some or all of their typical in-person work for telework because of the coronavirus pandemic. Working […]
Read MoreNovember 4, 2020
Vote counting continues in several key swing states to determine who will serve as President of the United States for the next four years. In this note, we will recap what is known about the election results so far, outline likely next steps in the process, and discuss the immediate reaction in capital markets. Race […]
Read MoreOctober 19, 2020
May retail sales up 8.1% year-over-year; down 0.5% after inflation. In real terms, retail spending came in slightly below levels observed in May 2021 when retail sales jumped nearly 30%. Increased spending on gasoline (+43% YoY) accounted for a large portion of the nominal increase, but strength was also evident in brick and mortar retail […]
Read MoreOctober 16, 2020
For Michigan businesses searching for employee retirement plan providers, streamlining your plan’s offerings via a bundled, full-service plan is key. Greenleaf Trust’s Kathleen Waldron shares our perspective with the Grand Rapids Business Journal: https://bit.ly/3o4Azxo
Read MoreOctober 6, 2020
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 […]
Read MoreOctober 6, 2020
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, […]
Read MoreOctober 6, 2020
“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 […]
Read MoreOctober 6, 2020
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 […]
Read MoreOctober 6, 2020
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 […]
Read MoreOctober 6, 2020
As the 2020 presidential and congressional elections come squarely into view, we offer our perspective on how best to navigate a likely period of intense news flow, market volatility, and at least some degree of uncertainty in the investment landscape. In this article, I will cover the state of the race – what we might […]
Read MoreOctober 5, 2020
September 25, 2020
Beth Simon’s understanding of what it takes to win, and why some teams are better at it than others, was fostered early in life by loving parents and by her husband who believed luck is “when preparation meets opportunity.” That sentiment, put into practice through hard work over countless hours, paid off with Beth’s golf […]
Read MoreSeptember 25, 2020
Steve McKiddy listened attentively as the president of Greenleaf Trust conveyed the wealth management firm’s core values. Steve’s phone pressed closely to his ear, yet what he heard spoke directly to his heart. Being honest and honorable; putting clients’ interests first; doing the right thing always, and setting things right if we err; prizing continuous […]
Read MoreSeptember 24, 2020
Director of Research, Nick Juhle provides economic commentary relating to how women are overrepresented in the hardest hit industries during the coronavirus pandemic, contributing to burn out during these unprecedented times. Read more in Millie.
Read MoreSeptember 21, 2020
In the same month, Greenleaf Trust has been recognized for diversity initiatives as a Diversity Focused Company by Corp! Magazine, as well as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For in Metro Detroit. The diversity award from Corp! Magazine recognizes Greenleaf Trust’s success in: defining and monitoring diversity; demonstrating how diversity adds value; committing […]
Read MoreSeptember 20, 2020
While Michigan counties consider leaving their pension management models, Emmet County relied on Greenleaf Trust in Traverse City for their pension. The result? A fully funded pension where other counties aren’t able to say the same. Read more from Traverse City Record-Eagle: https://bit.ly/3hQrc05
Read MoreSeptember 17, 2020
Led by Nick Juhle, Senior VP, Director of Research, and Dan Rinzema, Chief Client Officer, actionable topics of discussion will include: Historical perspective on presidential elections and the markets Voting with ballots, not portfolios Potential policy implications Planning strategies prior to, and after, the election Q&A Download the Presentation
Read MoreSeptember 9, 2020
September 9, 2020, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust, a Michigan-chartered wealth management firm with $14 billion in assets under advisement, announced that it’s been recognized as a Michigan statewide Best and Brightest in Wellness. The 2020 winning companies were evaluated by an assessment created and administered by SynBella, the nation’s leading wellness systems firm. Company […]
Read MoreSeptember 3, 2020
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 3, 2020
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 […]
Read MoreSeptember 3, 2020
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 […]
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