August 13, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreAugust 13, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreAugust 5, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
July 16, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreJuly 15, 2019
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.
Read MoreJune 19, 2019
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.
Read MoreJune 13, 2019
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June 12, 2019
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June 6, 2019
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
Read MoreMay 15, 2019
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May 13, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreApril 30, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreApril 25, 2019
https://www.fa-mag.com/news/greenleaf-trust-exec–its-never-too-soon-to-reduce-your-income-taxes-44506.html
Read MoreApril 16, 2019
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April 12, 2019
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.
Read MoreApril 11, 2019
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 […]
Read MoreApril 1, 2019
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, […]
Read MoreMarch 26, 2019
On Friday last week, the U.S. treasury yield curve inverted. Weak economic data out of Europe spurred heavy demand for bonds, pressuring the 10-year yield to 2.44%, its lowest level in over a year and about a basis point lower than the 3-month T-bill yield. This is significant because a curve inversion is considered one […]
Read MoreMarch 22, 2019
Considerable time these days is spent identifying ways to include the value of trust assets in the settlor’s gross estate in order to obtain an income tax basis adjustment to those assets. But the settlor or beneficiary’s death is a condition to this planning strategy. What if capital gain exclusion could be obtained while the […]
Read MoreMarch 21, 2019
Family LLCs (FLLCs) and/or Family Limited partnerships’ (FLLPs) have long been popular devices to use when making intra-family gifts (note the terms are used interchangeably below). They are easy to understand and administer, and require very little reporting at the state level, unlike a corporation. Read the full article at Private Wealth.
Read MoreMarch 13, 2019
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March 1, 2019
Disclaiming an interest in property has always been a way to add flexibility to an estate plan. By exercising of a timely qualified disclaimer, the disclaimant effectively moves assets to another individual, or to a trust, without incurring any gift tax. Consequently, disclaimer planning takes center-stage in many estate plans these days by spouses to […]
Read MoreFebruary 8, 2019