3D Investing: 2025 Mid-Year Economic and Market Outlook

3D Investing: 2025 Mid-Year Economic and Market Outlook

As Americans celebrated Independence Day, Congress passed President Trump’s sweeping “The One, Big, Beautiful” bill, and the U.S. simultaneously executed a successful strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Equity markets have responded with exuberance, rallying sharply on renewed optimism. This surge follows a volatile first half of 2025, marked by the shock emergence of DeepSeek AI…

A woman driving a convertible car.
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Luxury with Intention: Aligning Lifetime Spending with Long-Term Financial Goals

To quote the lead character in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” The same can be true for our finances; it’s easy to lose track of where our money goes. However, lifetime spending with intention…

Why Understanding Target Date Funds Matters More Than Ever
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Why Understanding Target Date Funds Matters More Than Ever

Most employees in 401(k) retirement plans are not professional investors, and they don’t need to be. However, in a retirement system that increasingly places responsibility on individuals to make informed investment decisions, having a basic understanding of your available options is essential to achieving long-term financial security. One of the most common and impactful tools…

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…

Navigating Market Volatility: Strategic Insights Amid Rising Trade Tensions
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Navigating Market Volatility: Strategic Insights Amid Rising Trade Tensions

The announcement of blanket tariffs on all foreign goods coming to the U.S. resulted in a sharp market selloff yesterday. Indications for today show no reprieve, as China, the world’s second-largest economy, is imposing its tariffs on U.S. goods. While historically, similar sparks have ignited a global trade war, immense uncertainty remains.  Further retaliatory announcements…

The Importance of Placing Properties in an LLC for Estate Purposes
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The Importance of Placing Properties in an LLC for Estate Purposes

Estate planning is one of the most thoughtful decisions property owners can make when placing real estate assets in a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Many people think estate planning is just about writing a will, but it involves much more—especially if you own valuable property. Using an LLC for real estate can provide legal protection,…

April Wealth Thought Leadership
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The Difference Financial Planning Can Make

Financial planning can have many definitions. It can relate to your business, your finances, or your family in general. This exercise provides a road map of where you have been financially, where you are, and where you want to go. I am often asked how frequently I should partake in this exercise, and my answer…

A calculator and coins.

Understanding Interest Rates in the U.S. and How They Affect Deposits, Lending, and Mortgages

Interest rates play a pivotal role in the U.S. economy, influencing everything from consumer spending to business investments. These rates determined mainly by the Federal Reserve (“the Fed”), directly affect the cost of borrowing and the returns on savings. For individuals and businesses, understanding how interest rates rise and fall—and the ripple effects these changes…

Introduction to Digital Asset Investments

Introduction to Digital Asset Investments

Since the emergence of Bitcoin in 2009, digital assets have gained popularity at an exponential rate. Digital assets encompass a wide range of electronically created and stored items that hold value, including cryptocurrencies, tokens, and digital collectibles (Smith, 2025). At the core is blockchain technology, which utilizes encryption techniques to ensure the authenticity of digital…

Women Entrepreneurs: Breaking Barriers and Redefining Success
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Women Entrepreneurs: Breaking Barriers and Redefining Success

Women entrepreneurs are transforming economies worldwide, driving innovation, and overcoming systemic barriers to success. In 2024, women-owned businesses accounted for 39% of all businesses in the U.S., employing 12.2 million workers and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue1. Despite these achievements, women entrepreneurs continue to face challenges in accessing capital, securing industry representation, and gaining visibility.

A woman using a laptop and a calculator.

Women & Wealth: The Duality of Money

According to McKinsey, the great wealth transfer is upon us and American women stand to control approximately $30 trillion by 2030.1 This shift in wealth presents opportunities and challenges for female investors and financial decision-makers, and understanding our biases, emotions, and financial behavior about money will help us manage our wealth and teach the next generation the importance of financial responsibility.

Two men using laptops and tablets.

Turbulence Ahead: Stay Informed and Prepared in Tax Planning

Now is the time to prepare for the potential volatility ahead in 2025 tax planning. With massive tax increases scheduled for year-end, this may be the most consequential year for tax legislation since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). As the TCJA sunsets, increases to marginal tax brackets, decreases to gift and estate…

A woman looking out a window.

Steps To Take in The Face of Federal Loans and Grants Uncertainty

The nonprofit sector found itself in unprecedented territory on January 27, 2025, when the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo announcing a pause on all federal grants and loans. Many nonprofit organizations rely on federal funding to support their missions, provide lifesaving aid and resources to their communities, and bolster their operations. Though…

A man and a woman having a conversation.

Advisory Solutions: Transforming Offerings with Integrated Solutions

According to DeVoe and Company, 2024 saw the highest number of transactions in the RIA space (269), with Q4 recording the most reported deals ever (78) in a single quarter.1 Even Robinhood’s recent acquisition of TradePMR signals the strategic positioning among advisory firms. This massive migration to the independent RIA model, many of whom are transitioning from traditional, full-service models, signals significant advisory trends shaping wealth management solutions’ current and future state. 

Social Security Changes in 2025: What You Need to Know

Social Security Changes in 2025: What You Need to Know

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced significant changes for 2025, reflecting ongoing efforts to adjust the program in response to inflation, wage growth, and evolving economic conditions. These updates include a higher cost-of-living adjustment, revisions to the earnings test thresholds, and increases in maximum benefits. Here’s a comprehensive look at the major updates. Cost-of-Living…

Three business workers having a discussion.
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Key Policy Changes in 2025 Impacting Your Financial Planning

As 2025 approaches, policy shifts under a new Trump administration are taking shape. For investors, understanding the new tax, healthcare, and retirement landscape is crucial to navigating the future. Here are some of the most impactful potential policy changes and how they may influence your financial planning. Tax Reform One primary goal is the continuation…

Required Minimum Distributions
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Essential Reminder: Take Your Required Minimum Distributions

As the year draws to a close, retirees need to remember to take their Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mandates this annual withdrawal for individuals who have reached a certain age, and failing to take it can result in significant penalties. Required Minimum Distributions are the minimum amounts…

Photo of a man holding a cell phone
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Bryn Mawr Trust Survey Reveals Americans Value Digital Assets at $191,516 on Average, But Gaps Exist in Digital Asset Awareness and Estate Planning

Despite placing six-figure valuations on their digital assets, Americans are largely neglecting these assets during financial planning

Beneficiary Designation

Securing Your Legacy: Why Updating Your Beneficiary Designations Matter

As the year closes, it’s a good time to update your beneficiary designations, which is a vital yet often overlooked step in financial planning. Life changes such as marriage, divorce, and the passing of a loved one can leave outdated beneficiary information on accounts. Failing to update these can create confusion, delay, and even prevent…

A woman and a man filling out paperwork together.
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Year-End Tax Planning: Maximizing Tax Savings with Tax Loss Harvesting

As we fast approach the end of 2024, tax planning becomes critical. One strategy that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves is tax loss harvesting. While the term might sound technical, the concept is simple, and when applied correctly, it can yield significant benefits. Let’s break down tax loss harvesting, why it matters, and…

The Three Most Important Questions to Answer Before Gifting to Charity This Year
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The Three Most Important Questions to Answer Before Gifting to Charity This Year

For many of us, the end of the year is often a mad dash for charitable giving. Before you write that check this December, take time to reflect on how you will gift, the timing, and who will gift alongside you to make your donation most meaningful. There are many ways to give, including the…

An older man, his head resting on his hands, which are folded over a wooden cane.

Planning for the Future: Essential Steps for Long-Term Care

Long-term care (LTC) refers to a range of services intended to meet the personal and health care needs of individuals over an extended period. These services can be necessary for anyone who has a chronic illness, disability, or cognitive impairment, such as dementia. As life expectancy increases and medical advancements continue, more people are likely…

An older woman embracing her husband from behind.

5 Ways You Can Prepare for Healthcare Expenses in Retirement

Healthcare expenses are projected to be the highest spending category in retirement, with a report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimating that a 65-year-old couple may need $383,000 in savings to cover their medical costs. It is essential to have a solid plan in place due to the increasing healthcare costs and longer life expectancy.1 …

An elderly couple reviewing documents with a financial professional.
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The Importance of Adapting Financial and Estate Plans to Legal Changes

When the foundation of a structure becomes unstable, everything built on top must adjust or risk collapse. This principle is not only true in construction but also in financial and estate planning. In the United States, financial and estate planning is deeply intertwined with legal and tax codes, which form the foundation for achieving our financial…

A business man and a business woman, in business formalwear. They are having a discussion.

Unlocking Prosperity: The Role Financial Advisors Can Play with Business Owners

Balancing personal financial goals with the demands of your business can be challenging. Still, with the expertise of a financial advisor, business owners can achieve greater financial stability and peace of mind. Here are several essential ways financial advisors can assist business owners in managing their finances. Comprehensive Financial Planning Financial advisors begin by comprehensively…

A chart tracking the rates of various currencies across the globe.

Why Investors Should Care about Currency Movements

Currency fluctuations significantly impact global earnings and asset positioning, despite most investors not directly trading foreign currencies. A strong U.S. dollar negatively affects multinational companies’ international revenue, while substantial currency price fluctuations can lead to considerable volatility in certain asset classes, particularly carry trades where investors borrow in low yielding currencies to invest in higher yielding currencies. It is within these dynamics that greater attention should be focused on currencies.

An older couple sitting at the kitchen table. They are both wearing button-up blue shirts. Both are looking at a calculator, and they are revising a document with an ink pen.
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America’s Retirement Crisis: How State Plan and Employer Plan Options Aim to Secure Our Future

As America’s retirement crisis looms larger than ever, with nearly half of the population fearing financial instability in their golden years, innovative state plans and employer-driven solutions are stepping in to bridge the savings gap and ensure a secure future for all.