Greenleaf Trust Core Values

Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do are the core values that each Airman commits to when joining the Air Force. At Greenleaf Trust, we also have core values that all new team members make a commitment to before joining our team. Greenleaf Trust’s core values form the foundation of how […]

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What to Do When an Investment Fund Closes

INVESTORS PREPARING FOR college costs and retirement have long been told to pick a good set of funds, add money regularly and stick with it for the long term. But sometimes they’re thrown a curve…   Read more at U.S. News & World Report    

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Millennials’ values may come back to haunt them

Priorities of the workforce’s largest generation may be hurting long-term wealth creation, expert says. “Experiences over things” is a mantra many millennials embrace, but a local wealth manager sees it as a liability to their futures. Tom DeMeester is managing director of the Grand Rapids office of Kalamazoo-based wealth management firm Greenleaf Trust. He spoke […]

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What is the opportunity in Opportunity Zones?

In early 2018, few people outside of specialty economic development and real estate finance circles had heard of Opportunity Zones. Today, there is a national rush to raise money to invest in Opportunity Zones as the incentives are being cited…. Read more at Grand Rapids Business Journal.

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Midyear Economic Outlook: As Bad As It Seems?

Guest Column by Nicholas Juhle as featured in ValueWalk Read article here.

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Midyear Economic Outlook: Is it as bad as it seems?

In 2018, almost every major asset class posted disappointing returns as markets priced in an immediate recession that failed to materialize. 2019 began with a “miracle recovery” as equities captured new highs and declining interest rates boosted bonds. In recent weeks, anxiety and volatility have spiked once again amid escalating uncertainties. Read Nick’s full story […]

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Greenleaf Trust recognized for diversity initiatives and for being a “cool place to work”

August 2019, Kalamazoo, MI — In the span of one week, Greenleaf Trust has been named a winner of the 2019 Salute to Diversity Award by Corp! Magazine, and a “Cool Place to Work” by Crain’s Detroit Business. The two distinguished awards reflect Greenleaf Trust’s ongoing success in integrating “best practices” throughout its wealth management […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces new team member designation

August 2019, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces new team member designation Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce Julie Howes Certified Securities Operations Professional designation: Julie Howes, a Senior Trust Operations Specialist who will celebrate a 10 years at Greenleaf Trust this fall, received her Certified Securities Operations Professional (CSOP) designation. The CSOP designation is […]

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Greenleaf Trust Wins Dual Honors as Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® and Best and Brightest in Wellness™

August 28, 2019, 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 Metro Detroits’ Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®, and a Michigan statewide Best and Brightest in Wellness. Best and Brightest Companies to Work For evaluates employee feedback […]

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The Doom Loop

The doom loop is the circle of vulnerability where a country’s banking system can be severely hurt by volatility in the price of the sovereign bonds they hold for reserves resulting in a contraction in lending provided by the banks.

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Keeping Your Retirement Plan Beneficiary Up to Date

When was the last time you reviewed your retirement account beneficiary election? Many people forget to update their beneficiary after important life events such as marriage or divorce. However, it is very important to ensure your retirement beneficiary information is current. Greenleaf Trust makes updating your beneficiary information easy by offering an online option to […]

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The SECURE Act?

In late May 2019, with bipartisan support, the House of Representatives passed the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act) by a vote of 417-3. This legislation, if passed, is likely to have an impact on workers, retirees, and heirs. The SECURE Act aims to improve the nation’s retirement system by providing […]

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Greenleaf Trust Book Club

Do you remember writing book reports in school? I often felt the structure of the specific questions, required formatting, and deadlines associated with the report took away from the enjoyment of actually reading the book. The joy in reading for me has always been the creative thoughts inspired by the content of the book, not […]

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Update on US Monetary & Trade Policy

We have been focused on two primary drivers for US markets in 2019: trade negotiations and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. On Wednesday, July 31st, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25%. In his press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted trade policy’s impact on their decision to ease: “After simmering early in […]

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July 2019 Perspectives

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Servant Leadership

It seems fitting to me that a man whose last name was Greenleaf first coined the term “servant leader” in 1970. Robert Greenleaf’s concept was that a servant leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of […]

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Mid-Year Market Review

In our 2018 year-end seminar we recapped a period where almost every major asset class posted disappointing returns as investors grew increasingly concerned by the prospect of a global economic slowdown. We also provided our outlook for the key themes we expected to influence markets in the near- term, and the capital market assumptions shaping […]

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Employer Review of Retirement Plan Benefit

What employers can do to help employees to utilize benefits as they near and enter retirement. For many years, you have helped employees save for their retirement by offering an employer sponsored retirement plan benefit. You have encouraged savings through ensuring education sessions were held, individual consultations were available, and maybe even set up automatic […]

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Topics for Your Nonprofit Committee Meetings

Volatility in the financial markets has increased, and the returns that we expect from equity and fixed income markets globally are lower than over the recent market cycles. What are the topics that should be on the meeting agenda for the Finance and Investment Committees for nonprofits? Sustainable Spending Rates One of the more difficult […]

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Repurposing Life Insurance Policies

Over the decades many families purchased life insurance, either to act as an income replacement vehicle when the breadwinner died, or to provide immediate liquidity to pay federal estate taxes on the breadwinner’s death. With the 2017 Tax Act’s temporarily doubled federal estate tax exemption amount to $11.4 million per individual, many believe that they […]

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Partnerships for Impact – the Nonprofit Perspective

A strong nonprofit sector is critical to the success of any community. Yet, there is an inherent power dynamic that enters many of the conversations between funders and the potentially fund-receiving nonprofits which can hinder the development of open and trusting relationships. To truly provide impactful support to our community, funders must recognize this dynamic […]

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Bitcoin: Spending On Speculation

At over $12,000, Bitcoin (BTC) has more than tripled in value this year garnering renewed attention from the investment community mainstream media, and the general public after a dramatic 1,700% rise (and subsequent fall) in 2017/2018.   Read the full article at ValueWalk.

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Digital Estate Planning: How to Plan for Online Accounts

What happens to email, usernames, passwords, banking information, social media and blogs when an individual dies? It’s a question most people haven’t considered, but should. Without proper planning and documentation, online information may become inaccessible and may eventually cease to exist.   Read the full article at ThinkAdvisor.

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June 2019 Perspectives

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Traverse City Growth

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Opportunity Zones

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Benefits of Data Aggregators

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Pending Legislation: Tenants-By-The-Entireties

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Warning: 401(k) Loans Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

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WILS Morning Wake Up with Dave Akerly

Greenleaf Trust Director of Research Nick Juhle talks tariffs, trade, the fed and what it means for investors on WILS Morning Wake Up with Dave Akerly.   Listen to the full interview at WILS1320

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May 2019 Perspectives

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Greenleaf Trust Gives – Our Communities

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Corporate Debt, a Rising Concern?

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Capacity Planning: Is Your Agent Up to the Task?

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Spring into Retirement Savings

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Take a Holiday from Fake Holidays

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Recent Michigan Legislation Regarding Directed Trusts

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US/China – Perspective on Recent Developments

Less than two weeks ago, investors were operating under the assumption that a U.S./China trade deal was all but certain.  Much has changed in a short period. Uncertainty has been reintroduced around when, or if, an agreement will materialize.  We continue to believe an eventual compromise is the most likely outcome, but for now, visibility […]

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Greenleaf Trust announces promotions and new hires

April 2019, Kalamazoo and Birmingham, MI – Greenleaf Trust announces promotions and new hires Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce the promotion of two employees, as well as the addition of a new team member: After a year of service as Participant Services Coordinator, Lisa Hojnacki has been promoted to Participant Services Coordinator – Team […]

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The Retirement Plan That Got Overlooked On Tax Day

https://www.fa-mag.com/news/greenleaf-trust-exec–its-never-too-soon-to-reduce-your-income-taxes-44506.html

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April 2019 Perspectives

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Monetary Policy 2019 World Tour

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Know Your Ride Share Driver

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Your Most Valuable Asset – Your Personal Story

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Introducing Multi-Factor Authentication to Your Retirement Plan Account

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Grief and Financial Services

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Triple Tax Benefit – Health Savings Account

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Notable Women in HR: Karen Baldwin

Congratulations Karen Baldwin! Your recognition as one of Michigan’s most Notable Women in Human Resources is well-deserved.   Read more at Crain’s Detroit Business.

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Greenleaf Trust named Great Place to Work and Best and Brightest Company to Work For

Greenleaf Trust Named Great Place to Work® and Best and Brightest Company to Work For® Firm earns accolades as premier West Michigan and financial services employer April 11, 2019, Kalamazoo, MI – Greenleaf Trust, an independent Michigan-chartered, trust-only bank and wealth management firm with $12 billion in assets under advisement, announced it’s been named to […]

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Forging Your Path

Sarah Johansson joined the Greenleaf Trust team on a blind leap of faith. At her interview for the position of director of marketing almost nineteen years ago, Johansson laid her hesitations on the table: “You know, I couldn’t find anything about this company—anywhere. You don’t even have a website.” William D. Johnston, chairman of Greenleaf, […]

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