A mother and her daughter.

Caring for Aging Parents and Estate Planning: What the Children Need to Know

As parents age, adult children often find themselves in the dual role of caregiver and financial planner — a balancing act that can be emotionally and financially taxing. This dynamic, frequently referred to as the “sandwich generation,” describes those who support their children while caring for aging parents. One crucial yet often overlooked aspect of…

A couple meeting with a wealth advisor

Secure Your Wishes: 4 Essential Reasons to Have a Living Will

In today’s fast-paced world, planning for the unexpected is more important than ever, especially when it comes to our health and medical care. A living will serves as a vital safeguard for individuals and their loved ones, articulating one’s preferences for medical treatment in situations where they may be unable to voice those choices. This…

Smart Foreign Exchange Strategies for Summer Travel

Smart Foreign Exchange Strategies for Summer Travel: Maximize value and minimize stress with these tips before you take off

As summer travel season approaches, many of our clients are making plans to explore destinations across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Whether your itinerary includes sun-soaked beaches, historic cities, or family adventures abroad, it’s important to think ahead when managing foreign currency needs. Smart foreign exchange (FX) strategies can help you avoid unnecessary fees, reduce risk,…

2025 Mid-Year Economic and Market Outlook

Building Resilience: 2025 Mid-Year Economic and Market Outlook

The first half of 2025 will be remembered for two defining events: the onset of reciprocal tariffs, marking an American trade war with the world, and Chinese AI developer DeepSeek’s revelation that shattered the myth of American AI supremacy. Amidst the fierce rivalry between America and China, these occurrences exposed the opposing forces of de-globalization…

Trusts – an Essential Resource for Family Financial Planning

Trusts – an Essential Resource for Family Financial Planning

As families accumulate wealth, trusts offer protection, growth, and efficient transfer from an individual (or grantor) to beneficiaries. While previously thought to be reserved for the ultra-wealthy, trusts are an excellent financial planning resource and are gaining popularity among the broader public. Today, we review how trusts may help families prepare for a multitude of…

Partner with a Private Banker for Your IOLTA Needs

Partner with a Private Banker for Your IOLTA Needs

An Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) is a type of trust account used by attorneys to hold client funds that are either too small in amount or held for too short a period to generate interest for the individual client. Instead of the interest benefiting the client, the interest is pooled and directed toward…

Unlocking Your Home's Hidden Potential: How a HELOC Can Help You Move Beyond 'Golden Handcuffs’ and Transform Your Living Space

Unlocking Your Home’s Hidden Potential: How a HELOC Can Help You Move Beyond ‘Golden Handcuffs’ and Transform Your Living Space

If you’re among the millions of Americans, like my wife and I, who purchased or refinanced their homes during the early years of the pandemic, you were likely fortunate enough to secure a mortgage rate between 2.5% and 4%.  Mortgage rates reached an all-time low in January of 2021, but have since more than doubled,…

What is a living trust?

What is a Living Trust, and Why Do You Need One?

People often ask whether they need a living trust for their estate plan. The answer depends upon your goals for managing your assets during your lifetime and how you would like to transfer them after your passing. Here are some key points to consider when determining whether a living trust is right for you. What…