July 2015 Perspectives Newsletter

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June 2015 Perspectives Newsletter

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Greenleaf Trust Named a “Best Place to Work for Millennials”

Kalamazoo, MI, May 28, 2015 – Kalamazoo, Michigan – Greenleaf Trust has been named one of the best places to work for millennial employees in America, Sarah Johansson, Director of Marketing, VP announced today. The list, which comes on the heels of news that millennials are now the largest workforce in America, is the first […]

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May 2015 Perspectives Newsletter

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We managed the family trust. They managed the family values. Talk about a happy reunion.

In the fullness of three generations of marriages, births, deaths and naturally diverging interests, the heirs to a family fortune were concerned. Their once simple, single pot of money had grown so complex, so time consuming and so expensive to manage, that it was becoming a source of anguish rather than comfort. The large bank […]

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We got the call after hours: there was a leak in the 401(k).

After three attempts with three different providers, the CEO had finally had it with the banks and financial service firms who’d mismanaged her plumbing business’s participant-directed 401(k) fund. It wasn’t just the high fees. It wasn’t just the poor service from providers who were too large and inattentive, or too small and inexperienced. And it […]

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The concrete was cured. Ditto the headache.

Even with its $8,500,000 retirement plan, the concrete and construction services company could not get its 401(k) provider to meet with the majority of its employees, who were usually on the job at nearby construction sites rather than in the office. “It’s not the way we prefer to do it,” said the plan provider, a […]

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He made it first. We made it last.

At the cusp of retirement twenty some odd years ago, a successful executive needed his assets to work harder than ever. He desired to travel widely; spend summers at the family cottage; support favored charities; help the grandkids pay for college; maintain the style of living to which he and his wife had become accustomed; […]

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The next 20 years may be your best years, so enjoy them.

With that bit of heartfelt advice, the couple in their early 50’s reconsidered what they’d previously assumed to be out of reach: the purchase of a small cottage on the big lake. The prompting came not from their children, but from an astute financial advisor who was looking at the couple’s financial position relative to […]

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The CFO’s heart was in the right place, which told her the company’s 401(k) plan was not.

In her capacity as CFO for one of the region’s leading manufacturers, the executive bore a weighty responsibility: to continue providing decent jobs, and to ensure that her company’s 401(k) plan was properly managed. It was the latter point that worried her. For years, the plan provider had been a large, regional bank that was […]

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From tool and die to retool and thrive.

Enough is enough, concluded the CFO of the tool and die company; the fees being charged by its bank had increased one too many times. The account was moved to a smaller bank that provided relief in all but one important area: it had no trust department to manage the company’s 401(k) retirement fund. Wisely, […]

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Doctor’s orders: lower stress, higher returns.

The medical practice had the familiar hallmarks of an investment quandary. Its physicians were highly educated, respected, successful and accustomed to calling the shots. Including where and how to invest wealth—their own, as well as their practice’s 401(k). But being a first rate doctor (or any other high level professional) doesn’t always translate into being […]

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Wendy Cox

Wendy Cox could have cried. It would have been unusual to do so at such a happy moment, in the middle of her job interview. But there she was, listening to the company’s top executive articulating his expectation of employees. There were no catchphrases, and no business book themes du jour. There was, instead, a […]

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Nick Juhle

When his application to the University of Michigan was wait-listed, then rejected, Nick Juhle was stunned. Unwilling to accept defeat, he wrote the admissions officer to ask if there’d been a mistake; after all, he was a stellar academic student and life-long Wolverine fan. A week later, a congratulatory letter of acceptance arrived. The lesson […]

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April 2015 Perspectives Newsletter

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2014 Annual Report

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Greenleaf Trust adds Trust Relationship Officer to Northern Michigan Team

Traverse City, Michigan, March 2015 – Greenleaf Trust today announced that Lauree K. VanderVeen, CTFA, a trust relationship officer in the company’s Kalamazoo headquarters since 2008, has relocated to Traverse City. Ms. VanderVeen will join John Welch in support of Greenleaf Trust’s continuing growth in the Northern Michigan market. Ms. VanderVeen has more than 25 […]

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March 2015 Perspectives Newsletter

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“Great Rated!” Names Greenleaf Trust One of the 20 Best Workplaces in Financial Services

Kalamazoo, MI, February 18, 2015 – Achieving financial security from generation to generation is the enduring commitment of Greenleaf Trust to its clients. Success in this long-term endeavor entails not only superlative skills in wealth management, but also a profound measure of trust between Greenleaf Trust and its clients. As such, Greenleaf Trust is honored […]

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February 2015 Perspectives Newsletter

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Greenleaf Trust announces team promotions

Peggy Anderson has been named Vice President, Assistant Director of Operations. Peggy is responsible for the leadership and oversight of trust operational activity performed by members of the division to accurately establish, maintain and report all client account activity. She has over 27 years of experience in the financial industry and a bachelor’s degree in […]

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Greenleaf Trust’s Chris Haenicke appointed to Michigan District Court

Kalamazoo, MI, January 2015 – Chris Haenicke, Vice President and Trust Relationship Officer at Greenleaf, has been appointed District Court Judge. The announcement from Michigan Governor Rick Synder was made earlier today. Haenicke, 48, of Oshtemo, was an attorney for nine years at the Kalamazoo firm of Lewis & Allen. For the past thirteen years, […]

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January 2015 Perspectives Newsletter

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December 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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Greenleaf Trust recognized nationally as One of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in 2014.

Warren, MI, December 8, 2014 – For the fourth consecutive year, the National Association for Business Resources has named Greenleaf Trust One of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the country. Greenleaf Trust and other winning companies underwent key assessments in Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee […]

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Greenleaf Trust Named #1 Cool Place to Work in Michigan.

Birmingham, MI, November 24, 2014 – Crain’s Detroit Business and Best Companies Group have named Greenleaf Trust “The Number One Cool Place to Work in Michigan” among medium sized companies (50-249 U.S. employees). The award identifies, recognizes and honors the best employers in Michigan, particularly in terms of their benefit to the state’s economy, workforce […]

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November 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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October 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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September 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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August 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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Allison L. Birmingham and Paul R. Jude obtain the Certified Wealth Strategist® industry designation

Kalamazoo, MI – Allison L. Birmingham and Paul R. Jude are among the first 2000 professionals obtaining the wealth management skill set of the future. The Certified Wealth Strategist® designation, administered by Cannon Financial Institute, recognizes those individuals completing thorough study of the issues surrounding effective wealth advising to comprehensively address clients’ wealth management needs. […]

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July 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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June 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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May 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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Greenleaf Trust among elite in West Michigan’s 101 best and brightest companies.

Hudsonville, MI, May 2014 – At the “West Michigan’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” 2014 awards luncheon, Greenleaf Trust was one of only twelve companies to earn “Elite” honors by the Michigan Business and Professional Association. More than 100 companies took place in the competition. The twelve honorees earned the highest overall […]

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April 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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2013 Annual Report

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March 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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February 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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January 2014 Perspectives Newsletter

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December 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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November 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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Greenleaf Trust announces a new hire

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce that Bruce Kridler has joined the firm’s Birmingham office as Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer. Mr. Kridler has more than 20 years experience in the banking and financial services industry, and eight years as a pension and investment consultant. Prior to joining Greenleaf Trust, he was Managing […]

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October 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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September 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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August 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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July 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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June 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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May 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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April 2013 Perspectives Newsletter

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