The Greatest Gift

One of the most important tasks we frequently do with our clients is to review their estate planning documents in the context of changes in tax law, fiduciary law, assets, goals and objectives, and family changes.

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Plan Sponsors Should Focus on Plan Governance and Plan Outcomes

Solid retirement plan governance process helps protect fiduciaries from liability.

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Unlocking Financial Clarity: Monte Carlo Analysis and Its Role in Decision Making

Monte Carlo analysis can illuminate the long-term consequences of early-life purchases and aid in making complex financial decisions.

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Greenleaf Trust announces Crain’s Detroit Excellence in HR recipient

Senior Human Resources Specialist, Kim Dudley, has recently earned a place on Crain’s Detroit’s Excellence in HR List.

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September Jobs – Hiring Surges, Tough Print For the Fed

U.S. hiring unexpectedly surged in September by the most since January, highlighting continuing resiliency of the labor market and bolstering the case for another Fed rate hike.

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Maggie Steffy

Maggie Steffy’s journey from her small-town roots in Petoskey to her new role as a business development officer at Greenleaf Trust in northern Michigan is a remarkable one. She ventured to Kalamazoo for her college education, where she double majored in economics and Spanish, embracing the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. […]

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D Business: Greenleaf Trust Adds Six New Team Members

D Business shares Greenleaf Trust’s six new teammates

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Go Banking Rates: 6 Financial Emergencies Where It’s OK To Withdraw From Your Retirement Savings

Rosie Hall is quoted on early IRA withdrawals

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Greenleaf Trust recognized on list of Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan by Best Companies Group and Crain’s Detroit Business

Greenleaf Trust was named as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan on Aug. 28. The annual list of the Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan was created by Best Companies Group in partnership with Crain’s Detroit Business. This statewide survey and awards program identifies, recognizes and honors the best […]

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Strategic Planning Season

It’s an exciting time of year for us. Yes, we are all excited about college football, kids returning to school, and pumpkin spice everything. We are really excited though because it is our strategic planning season.

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Economic Commentary

After five straight months of gains, and a year-to-date return of more than 20% through July, the S&P 500 retreated 1.6% in August.

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More Will Be ABLE

Like other states, Michigan provides the opportunity for disabled individuals to hold investments to help them cover costs that support their health, independence, and quality of life without affecting their federal Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) support. ABLE is the acronym for Achieving a Better Life Experience.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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September 2023 Perspectives Newsletter

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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 […]

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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.

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 […]

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Retirement Plan Audits – First Time?

What to expect during your first Retirement Plan audit.

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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.

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August 2023 Perspectives Newsletter

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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.

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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.

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

Subscriber exclusive article by Ryan Boldrey at MLive

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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.

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Greenleaf Trust announces promotions

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

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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 […]

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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A Brief History of the Last 25 Years

Mike Odar reflects on the 25 years of Greenleaf Trust

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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 […]

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Selecting the Wrong Trustee

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

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Health Savings Account: The Triple Crown Advantage

The triple tax benefit of Health Savings Accounts

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Hardship Withdrawals Are on the Rise

How to Help Participants Balance Current Needs vs Future Security

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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?

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July 2023 Perspectives Newsletter

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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.

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