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 […]

Undoubtedly, we have each endured a moment of fear over the last couple of months. Whether it be watching over your children, allowing your teen to take your car for the first time, worrying about catching a virus with no certain cure, or trying to keep your small business afloat during a pandemic; we want […]

Recently, investors have faced unprecedented times as the impact of COVID-19 on the economy continues. After a strong decade for US equity markets, it comes as no surprise that the market’s recent drop and continued volatility is unnerving and downright scary for many. Nevertheless, a key concept to investing in a retirement plan is to […]

The recent coronavirus pandemic has brought nursing homes in the into the spotlight for the many challenges that the elderly face. Given medical advances, people in general are living longer and their families are tasked with the responsibility of providing the best care options for them. And yet, the discussion about how to pay for […]

One of the habits developed over four decades as an attorney was to skim the ‘legal notices’ section in the morning newspaper. While I no longer practice law, out of that habit I still look at the published legal notices. One that caught my eye a couple of weeks ago was a legal notice where […]

With the uncertainty that the pandemic has brought to our current situation, many individuals have taken the time to review their estate planning documents and determined that they need to make some changes. The challenge that has presented itself during these trying times is that people have determined that they want to make changes to […]

It is my pleasure to introduce Perry Wolfe, who joined the Greenleaf Trust team in January as senior vice president, executive director of development. In collaboration with our business development and marketing teams, Perry will lead the strategy and growth for markets outside of Kalamazoo. The timing of Perry’s arrival is fortuitous given the challenges […]

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) was signed into law. In addition to numerous financial incentives provided to individuals and business, the CARES Act provides some major retirement plan changes allowing plan participants access to their retirement savings as a financial resource in this time of crisis. Employers […]

If you are like most, you’re experiencing quite a bit of anxiety right now as we grapple with a pandemic health crisis. The human, economic and market fallout are unnerving. Unfortunately, we know the headlines will get worse before they get better. Confirmed COVID-19 cases will grow exponentially, and dismal economic data resulting from the […]

The world suddenly changed with the COVID-19 pandemic. We have all had to learn a new skill called social distancing. Millions now work from their homes. Isolation is the new mainstream lifestyle, albeit not by choice. Consequently, any discussion about estate planning seems pretty superfluous in this time of crisis. However, if an individual is […]

With all the market volatility lately, it is a little surprising that investors are concerned about the most stable part of their portfolios, their money market funds. We believe the concern has been driven by (1) a lack of knowledge about money market reforms instituted after the financial crisis, and (2) headlines in the financial […]

Each year, starting in September, we purposely engage our entire company in discussion about our long-term strategic plan. Specifically, we ask and answer the question – what do we need to do next year to take one step forward in being top of mind? Because our culture is so important to us, each year it […]