SECURE Act 2.0 – Mandatory and Optional Provisions

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which included a major package of retirement savings provisions known as SECURE Act 2.0. There is a lot in SECURE Act 2.0. Consideration of and compliance of provisions will require due diligence.

Read More

The Chosen One or The One Who is Chosen – Trustee Considerations

Even if you are 100% convinced problems will not arise amongst your family, naming one of them to act as your trustee may be teeing up a perfect storm for problems to surface.

Read More

Recasting a Solution

When working alongside a client, it is essential to take stock of the personal values that create an environment for them to live authentically.

Read More

Generative AI: Proceed with Caution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) currently dominates the technology headlines, and rightfully so. The launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in November 2022 has ushered in a revolutionary era of more natural and efficient human-technology interaction.

Read More

September 2023 Perspectives Newsletter

View PDF

August Jobs – Resilience and Moderation

Hiring up and wage growth down.  U.S. hiring accelerated in August and wage growth cooled – opposing signals from today’s report.  The U.S. labor market added 187K jobs, the unemployment rate rose 0.3% to 3.8%, and wage moderated.  A resilient labor market has been key to ongoing economic expansion in 2023.  While job openings and […]

Read More

Greenleaf Trust announces addition of six team members

Greenleaf Trust continues to grow across the state of Michigan with the addition of six teammates across the company.

Read More

Greenleaf Trust announces two Certified Trust Operations Professional® certifications.

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to share Assistant Director of Operations, Andrea Stidmon, and Senior Trust Operations Analyst, Hayley Smith-Bailey, have successfully achieved their Certified Trust Operations Professional (CTOP®) certification. As Assistant Director of Operations, Andrea provides leadership to the Operations Division and is responsible for the oversight of trust operations performed to accurately reflect all […]

Read More

Purpose Jobs Recognizes Michael Odar as a Top Purpose-Driven CEO in 2023

Purpose Jobs, the largest community of purpose-driven professionals, announced Greenleaf Trust President and CEO, Michael Odar, had been named to the list of best purpose-driven CEOs in 2023. These CEOs were nominated and selected based on the following criteria: communication and transparency, strategy and vision, high EQ and empathy, high integrity and commitment to purpose-driven […]

Read More

Greenleaf Trust announces promotion of Jeff Pauza to Vice President, Assistant Director of Wealth Management

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to share the promotion of Jeff Pauza to Vice President, Assistant Director of Wealth Management.

Read More

MLive: Wallet Watch: American credit card debt reached unprecedented high this summer

Chief Investment Officer, Nicholas Juhle, was featured in MLive.com article on the unprecedented height of credit card debt.

See More

Purpose Jobs: The Best Purpose-Driven CEOs in 2023

President and CEO, Michael Odar, has been named one of the best purpose-driven CEOs by Purpose Jobs.

See More

Michiganders lean on credit cards as Americans reach record $1 trillion in debt

“The current state of credit card indebtedness among Americans is, in large part, because of changes to household finances following the COVID-19 pandemic, said Nick Juhle, chief investment officer at Kalamazoo-based financial management firm Greenleaf Trust.”

See More

July Retail Sales – Tops Forecasts

Today’s report suggests that American consumers, supported by a strong labor market and rising wages, continue to support a growing economy despite tightening monetary policy.

Read More

July Inflation – Better Than Expected

On a year-over-year basis, July inflation data showed overall annualized price increases accelerated slightly to 3.3% (from 3.0% in June) largely owing to base effects of a tougher prior-year compare as peak inflation levels of 9.1% recorded in June 2022 have now annualized.

Read More

The Importance of Inclusion in Our Culture

We are on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) journey and have been for the last 25 years. We believe in the benefits of bringing uniquely different people with uniquely different backgrounds together within a unique culture.

Read More

Economic Commentary

If you sold in May and went away this year, my condolences. The third quarter is off to a healthy start. Investment markets performed well in July, and while second quarter earnings are down compared to a year ago (as expected), forecasts call for recovery in the second half and a strong outlook for 2024.

Read More

Leaving a Digital Legacy

Have you ever Googled the answer to a question that you were too embarrassed to ask anyone else? For example, “Why does my dog keep sniffing my eyes?” or “Why am I lightheaded?” My sister and close friends know the first thing they need to do when I pass away is to erase my Google […]

Read More

Retirement Plan Audits – First Time?

What to expect during your first Retirement Plan audit.

Read More

Points Power-Up: Maximizing Credit Card Rewards for Travel

When it comes to credit cards, there are many different types of cards you can carry, some of which include standard cards, travel cards, cashback cards and store specific credit cards.

Read More

August 2023 Perspectives Newsletter

See More

The Do Diligence Podcast: The Long Term Business with Bill Johnston

Chairman, William D. Johnston, sat down with Sleeping Giant Capital to discuss culture, and long term success in business on The Do Diligence Podcast.

Read More

Fed Raises 0.25% as Expected; Keeps Options Open

Fed raises interest rates by 0.25%, bringing the Fed Funds Rate range to 5.25-5.50% – the highest level in 22 years. The committee left the door open to additional increases as policymakers continue their efforts to quell inflation.

Read More

MLive: For Kalamazoo icon Bill Johnston, it’s not about leaving a legacy

Subscriber exclusive article by Ryan Boldrey at MLive

See More

June Retail Sales – Below Estimates

U.S. retail sales came in below expectations on a month-over-month basis, and remained soft year-over-year. In real terms, retail spending was unchanged compared to May and declined 1.5% year-over-year.

Read More

Greenleaf Trust announces promotions

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to announce promotions on the client centric and research teams.

Read More

Greenleaf Trust announces division and role changes

Senior Business Process Analyst, Asa Davis, has recently changed divisions from the Business Information Services Division to the Retirement Plan Services Division. Asa will focus on identifying business improvements and opportunities for organizational development. He has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and […]

Read More

June Inflation – Cools to 3%, Better Than Expected

June inflation data showed overall annualized price increases slowing for a twelfth straight month to 3.0% – down from a June 2022 peak of 9.1% and to the lowest level in more than two years. 

Read More

Opened in 1998 with a single client, Kalamazoo financial firm now manages $17B

Chairman, William D. Johnston, and President and CEO, Michael F. Odar, reflect on 25 years of growth, culture and continuous improvement.

See More

June Jobs – Signs of Cooling, But Wage Growth Supports a July Hike

The U.S. labor market added 209K jobs, the unemployment rate fell 0.1% to 3.6%, and wage growth held steady in June. On July 26, Fed policymakers will decide whether or not to raise interest rates by another 0.25% after pausing in June.

Read More

A Brief History of the Last 25 Years

Mike Odar reflects on the 25 years of Greenleaf Trust

Read More

2023 Mid-Year Update

After a challenging 2022, investors should be pleased with the market experience in the first half of 2023. In stark contrast to a period when both stocks and bonds moved lower together, financial markets have largely been in recovery mode over the last six months. Several positive themes have bolstered markets including a strong labor […]

Read More

Selecting the Wrong Trustee

The selection of a trustee is pretty much the choice between either a professional or an amateur

Read More

Health Savings Account: The Triple Crown Advantage

The triple tax benefit of Health Savings Accounts

Read More

Hardship Withdrawals Are on the Rise

How to Help Participants Balance Current Needs vs Future Security

Read More

Estate Planning or Alphabet Soup?

Trusts are a major part of most estate plans and attorneys and financial advisors love acronyms to describe the various types of trusts, but what do all these letters mean and what purposes do they serve?

Read More

July 2023 Perspectives Newsletter

View PDF

USA Today: Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules

Vice President, Senior Wealth Management Advisor, Nicole Asher is featured in USA Today with commentary on Roth IRA withdrawal rules.

See More

Greenleaf Trust announces additions to the client centric team and Retirement Plan Division

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to share the addition of four new teammates.

Read More

Greenleaf Trust named National Association for Business Resources 2023 Best and Brightest Winner in Wellness

Greenleaf Trust, a Michigan-chartered wealth management firm with $16 billion in assets under advisement*, announced that it has been recognized as one of 2023 Michigan’s Best and Brightest in Wellness® by the National Association for Business Resources.

Read More

Record-Eagle: Firm Celebrates 25 years

Traverse City Record-Eagle includes 25th anniversary news in Business in Brief section.

See More

Greenleaf Trust announces CTFA designation

Michael Holmes, a Trust Relationship Officer in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was recently awarded the Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor designation from the American Bankers Association.

Read More

Greenleaf Trust announces project management certification

Project Manager, Mercedes Sims receives Certified Associate in Project Management designation through the Project Management Institute

Read More

April Retail Sales – Soft YoY; Resilient MoM

U.S. retail sales were stronger than expected on a month-over-month basis, but remain lower on a year-over-year basis.   

Read More

FOMC Update: No Surprise on Pause, but a Slightly Hawkish Dot Surprise

The Fed paused its rate hikes to allow for additional time to assess incoming economic data.

Read More

BenefitsPRO: Can a whole new government backed program close the retirement savings gap?

Executive Vice President, Director of Retirement Plan Division Chris Middleton, CTFA provides byline on the retirement savings coverage gap for Benefits PRO.

See More

Founding Roots in Retirement Plan Services

Our Retirement Plan Services Division traces its roots back to the foundation of our company in 1998.

Read More

May Update

The US Department of the Treasury manages payments for the federal government. Congress, by law, limits the maximum amount of debt that the Department of Treasury can issue to finance budget deficits. This limit is commonly referred to as the “debt ceiling.”

Read More

Roth IRA vs Roth 401(k): What’s the Difference?

When it comes to investing for retirement you have a multitude of options to choose from. Making the decision about how you are going to manage the taxation of your retirement plan contributions makes the decision even more complex.

Read More

A Slice of Real Estate Advice

Let’s explore some options worthy of consideration for the administration and distribution of real estate assets.

Read More