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

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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

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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

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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.

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2024 Mid-Year Market Outlook: What Lies Ahead

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The U.S. economy continues to grind, and macro-level data suggests that moderating growth ahead will not cause a near-term recession. When setting the current environment at a level compared to our expectations at the start of the year, investors witnessed more mid-cycle dynamics as risks to the downside lessened and valuations expanded. With the macro-economic environment seemingly in a constructive place, we’re reminded that complacency is not a viable investment strategy. In our mid-year update, we detail the opportunities and risks ahead.

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Retirement Spending – How Not to Overspend or Outlive Your Savings

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Saving for retirement is something many of us are encouraged to participate in throughout our working lives. In a recent Bryn Mawr Trust survey about women and retirement, 826 women (age 40+) said that their top sources of wealth are careers, followed by saving and budgeting, with 40% selecting retirement as the leading life event that impacts their financial planning.1 The rules and guidelines for how much to save and where are readily available, but there needs to be more professional guidance for when we finally reach retirement and begin spending it.

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The Importance of Aligning Your Investment Strategy with Your Estate Plan

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When it comes to managing your wealth for the future, having a sound investment strategy is paramount. However, equally important is ensuring that your estate plan is closely aligned with these investment choices. The synergy between how you manage your assets today and how you plan to pass them on to beneficiaries can significantly impact your financial legacy and security.

A woman in a pinstriped blue shirt and a man in a white button-up shirt are both holding mugs and conversing with a banker.
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Unlocking the Digital Vault: A Guide to Digital Estate Planning for Small Business Owners

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In the digital age, our lives and businesses are intricately woven into the fabric of the online world. From financial transactions to client communications, much of our business activity now takes place in the digital realm. Yet, many small business owners overlook a crucial aspect of estate planning: the digital estate.

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Navigating Uncertainty: How to Think About Risk

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Do you ever reflect on things you did as a teenager or young adult and wonder what was going through your mind at the time? Maybe you participated in some thrill-seeking adventure and got lost, or maybe you were a bit foolish (or a lot foolish). Perhaps you were the opposite and never got into any trouble whatsoever, always on your best behavior. Fast forward to today, you think back on those days and the fun you had, lessons learned, regrets, and how they shaped your character.

Line graphs superimposed over the image of a dollar bill.
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Managing Fixed Income in Today’s Environment

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Bond yields have remained elevated this year as anticipated rate cuts continue to get pushed out into the future. The combination of strong U.S. economic growth, a healthy labor market, and elevated inflation have contributed to a patient Federal Reserve and a federal funds target range of 5.25%-5.50%, a level reached back in July 2023. As of April 15, 2024, the entire U.S. Treasury yield curve was above 4.0% contributing to a benign environment for income-seeking investors. 

A man and a woman, both with short white hair, are consulting over documents with a younger male banker.
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A Comprehensive Guide to Trust Asset Management

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Trust asset management requires a multifaceted approach to managing the day-to-day running of a portfolio that encompasses, among other things, strategic asset allocation, fiduciary responsibilities, risk management and a keen understanding of tax implications. Trustees must navigate a complex landscape to fulfill their obligations, optimize financial outcomes, and align investments with the trust’s goals and beneficiaries’ needs.

A man and a woman looking at papers. The man has short white hair and he is wearing a blue sweater, and the woman has long dark hair and a pinstriped button-up shirt.
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5 Actions to Take Ahead of 2025 Tax Law Sunset

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The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) brought numerous changes to the tax code including reduced individual income tax rates, significant increases to the standard deduction, and doubling of the estate tax exemption. The legislation also has a sunset provision, meaning many of the changes are set to expire at the end of 2025.

A woman using a laptop computer. She has long, curly brown hair, and she is wearing wireframe glasses with a polka dot dress.

Shaping Women’s Futures Through Strategic Planning and Empowerment

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The complex landscape of life’s major events—career changes, marriage, childbirth, divorce, and the loss of a loved one—should prompt women to reevaluate and amend their wills, trusts, and overarching financial plans. These milestones are not merely checkpoints; they represent critical junctures where thoughtful, reimagined planning is paramount.

A businessman with white hair and a white beard, wearing a gray suit, looks pensively into the distance.
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Navigating the Future: Key Changes Reshaping Company Retirement Plans in 2024

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The landscape of employee retirement planning is undergoing transformative changes. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is at the heart of this evolution, introducing pivotal themes that promise to redefine the retirement planning horizon for millions of workers. Let’s explore some key themes for 2024, each designed to enhance the retirement readiness and financial security of the average employee in an ever-changing world.

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Securing Tomorrow: Women’s Roadmap to Financial Confidence

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Exploring the interaction between retirement, education, and real estate is vital in financial planning especially for women. Early and ongoing financial education is crucial for managing both current and future needs effectively. A recent Bryn Mawr Trust study highlights the importance of strategic planning in addressing the impacts of career changes, educational progress, and residential moves on women’s finances. Understanding these factors enables women to make informed decisions that support their life ambitions and financial security.

An architect with a scale model.

Unlocking the Potential: What You Need to Know About IRC Section 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges

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For those navigating the intricate world of real estate transactions, IRC Section 1031 provides a unique opportunity to defer capital gains taxes by selling property and reinvesting the proceeds in a similar property. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a first-time property owner, understanding the nuances of Section 1031 is crucial for optimizing financial outcomes.

A man, with gray hair, wearing an orange sweater smiles and laughs. Beside him, a woman with shoulder-length dark hair and a silk blouse smiles as well.

Plan Wisely, Four Steps to Tax-Efficient Investing

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For investors, the difference between investing and intelligent investing might not be how much you earn on each investment but how much you keep, after taxes. By implementing tax-efficient strategies into your overall financial planning you can learn to manage, defer, and/or reduce your income tax burden and hold on to a larger portion of your wealth.