Texas has been at the epicenter of all things energy-related, and the past several years have been challenging and volatile. With this in mind, Atlantic Trust held two luncheons last week in Houston (the energy capital of the U.S.) and Dallas. More than 125 people attended the two events, and the level of interaction was highly sophisticated. Speaking first was Andre Burba, managing director...

  Bonds may not be as glamorous as stocks or commodities, but they do form a significant component of most investment portfolios.     The main reason bonds can be so attractive is that they can help diversify your investment portfolio. Interest payments from bonds can act as a hedge against the relative volatility of stocks, real estate or precious metals. Those interest...

  A high-quality education is one of the most valuable things a parent can provide for his or her child, but some subjects, such as financial literacy, tend to be left out of even the most well-rounded curriculums.     For example, a survey conducted earlier this year by the Council for Economic Education found that only 20 states currently require high school students...

  The 2016 presidential primary season is in full swing, and voters continue to ask important questions about the remaining candidates, their views and the potential implications of this election cycle’s outcome on the financial markets and global economic outlook.     To help glean some insights from the latest election developments dominating headlines on both sides of the...

  The U.S. is seeing record levels of giving in recent years: According to data from the National Philanthropic Trust, Americans gave $358.38 billion in 2014—an increase of 7.1% over 2013—accounting for approximately 2.1% of gross domestic product in that year.     That trend is expected to continue upward in 2016. Two factors may play a role: One is millennials, particularly...

  After someone has invested years of effort into starting and nurturing a successful business, it is only natural to contemplate the future of that business.     The question “What next?” is not an easy one to answer; it requires serious thought and planning, and often boils down to one of the following options:               ...

  For many first-time investors, purchasing individual stocks and bonds might appear to be the most straightforward entry point into the market. But increasingly, millennials are also showing interest in mutual funds.     Citing data earlier this year from the Investment Company Institute (ICI), a global association of regulated funds, CNBC reported that the median age at...

Women in the U.S. control 51% of investable assets—or $14 trillion—and are expected to control $22 trillion by 2020, according to the BMO Wealth Institute. Women are the primary breadwinners in 4 in 10 American households with children under 18, and many will become the primary decision makers with respect to finances, as many women inherit twice: once from their parents and once by outliving...

  We all want to make responsible decisions with our money, but are we taking responsibility for the impact our money has on the world around us? One investing approach that has gained popularity in recent years—sustainable investing—allows us to achieve both of these objectives by marrying financial goals with societal ones.     Interest in sustainable investing is...

  My colleague, Kent Nossaman, and I were pleased to host Atlantic Trust’s latest G2G (Generation to Generation) Impact event, How to Invest for Social Impact, on April 16 at The Fairmont San Francisco.     The breakfast seminar featured investment speaker R. Paul Herman, CEO and founder of HIP (Human Impact + Profit) Investor, Inc. An internationally recognized expert in the...

  Whether you’ve built your wealth from the ground up or inherited it, taking certain precautionary measures beyond insurance is important in order to protect your assets. This is becoming more critical for women, who are increasingly likely to be the main breadwinners in households—approximately one out of five wives now earn more than their husbands, according to a CBS News article...

In an earlier blog post, we discussed some of the implications and challenges associated with aging. In today’s post, we continue the conversation by taking a look at another dimension of this important topic—in particular, warning signs concerning financial manipulation of the elderly.   If you have elderly family members, you might have watched with horror as news stories have...

  Atlantic Trust was proud to again sponsor the Bayou Bend Garden Party, hosted at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, on the evening of April 3.     This is the third year that our firm has sponsored the affair, which is recognized as one of the largest annual events in Houston. Altogether, the Garden Party raised $770,000—the highest amount ever—for the museum.   ...

  Having a child is an exciting stage in a family’s life. Of course, as is the case with any transition, there are certain worries that accompany these important milestones, particularly around finances.     Naturally, we all want our children to grow up in a stable world—one in which they are physically safe, emotionally nurtured and financially secure. But in the process of...

  Last week, Atlantic Trust was pleased to host its first Women’s CIRCLE event of 2016 at One Market in San Francisco for an engaging discussion about philanthropy, fundraising and legacy.     Following a brief cocktail reception, I was delighted to welcome Ms. Eileen Murphy, senior director of university development for the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and...