CIBC Private Wealth Management Blog

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Firm News

CIBC Private Wealth Management Wins Private Asset Management’s Award for Best Investment Platform

Eric Propper, CFA
February 14, 2019

CIBC Private Wealth Management is pleased to announce that we have received Private Asset Management (PAM)’s award for Best Investment Platform—Performance. PAM, a leading financial services industry trade publication, announced the award on February 7 at a ceremony in New York . The PAM Awards recognize the top investment professionals, wealth advisers, legal firms, consultants and other...

Firm News

CIBC Extends Brand Across U.S.

Jack Markwalter
June 25, 2018

Today, we announce that CIBC Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management has become CIBC Private Wealth Management. The same team our clients trust is backed by one of the strongest banks in North America with 150 years of providing exceptional client service. For nearly five years, CIBC has been investing in the U.S. and enabling us to build our private wealth business. Coming together under...

Firm News

CIBC Atlantic Trust Wins Private Asset Management’s Award for Best Investment Platform

Eric B. Propper, CFA
March 06, 2018

Download PDF We are pleased to announce that CIBC Atlantic Trust has received Private Asset Management (PAM)’s award for Best Investment Platform—Performance . The 2018 PAM Awards were announced last month at a ceremony in New York. This award—our sixth investment-related PAM award—is a significant accomplishment and reflects our unwavering commitment to investment...

Firm News

Talking Innovation with Futurist Jack Uldrich

Carolyn Donnelly
December 15, 2017

Download PDF We’ve been honored this year to have Jack Uldrich, a prominent futurist and author, as a keynote speaker for our CIBC Atlantic Trust Speaker Series, which took place in seven cities across the U.S. and attracted more than 700 attendees. Uldrich’s specialty is helping organizations develop the foresight necessary to build a successful future. His central premise is...

Firm News

Expanding Our Chicago Presence—Geneva Advisors Joins CIBC Atlantic Trust

John S. Markwalter Jr.
September 01, 2017

Download PDF We are pleased to announce that CIBC Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management has completed its acquisition of Geneva Advisors , a private wealth management firm headquartered in Chicago. With the addition of Geneva, our firm now has more than 430 employees in 14 markets nationwide and approximately $40 billion in assets entrusted to our care. Together, Geneva...

Firm News

CIBC Announces Agreement to Acquire Geneva Advisors

John S. Markwalter Jr.
July 07, 2017

Download PDF We are pleased to announce today that CIBC will be acquiring Geneva Advisors , a private wealth management firm headquartered in Chicago with US$8.4B in assets under management and a team of approximately 100 client-focused employees ( see press release ). They will join our CIBC Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management team when the transaction closes in the fourth...

Firm News

Expanding Our Firm’s Services

John S. Markwalter Jr.
June 26, 2017

Download PDF We are pleased to announce that CIBC has completed its acquisition of PrivateBancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary, The PrivateBank. Headquartered in Chicago, The PrivateBank is a high-quality, middle-market commercial bank. We expect this acquisition to benefit our clients by offering additional access to a full range of private banking, deposit and lending services. As...

Firm News

Linda Beerman Resumes Role as Head of CIBC Atlantic Trust’s Wealth Strategies Group

Eric B. Propper CFA
May 31, 2017

Download PDF We are pleased to announce that Linda Beerman has resumed her role as head of the CIBC Atlantic Trust Wealth Strategies Group . Linda has served 16 years with the firm as a leader in various roles, including chief fiduciary officer and as a member of the firmwide Operating Committee, in addition to her service as head of the Wealth Strategies Group, which she...

Firm News

2017 and Beyond: Oil & Gas Outlook Event Speaker Series

John Winslow
May 05, 2017

Texas has long been at the epicenter of all things energy-related, and the past several years have been challenging and volatile. With this in mind, CIBC Atlantic Trust held three events last week in Houston (the energy capital of the U.S.) and Dallas . These interactive, dynamic sessions involved more than 100 highly engaged participants. Speaking first was CIBC Atlantic Trust...

Firm News

Family Wealth Report Recognizes CIBC Atlantic Trust with Private Client Investment Platform Award

Eric B. Propper CFA
March 17, 2017

Kishore Setty, Paulina Mejia, Kyle Edmonds, and I attended the fourth annual Family Wealth Report (FWR) awards ceremony in New York on March 2 and proudly accepted the Private Client Investment Platform award on behalf of CIBC Atlantic Trust and our investment Team. This is the third consecutive year that CIBC Atlantic Trust has been recognized by FWR , a leading trade publication...

Firm News

CIBC Atlantic Trust Receives National Recognition at Private Asset Management Awards

Eric B. Propper CFA
March 09, 2017

My colleagues and I were pleased to accept two awards from Private Asset Management (PAM) magazine on February 13 at their annual ceremony in New York: Best Investment Platform – Performance Best Trusts and Estates Division This is the seventh consecutive year that CIBC Atlantic Trust has been recognized by PAM, a financial services industry trade publication. The...

Firm News

Announcing New Office Heads in Atlanta and New York

Eric B. Propper CFA
February 17, 2017

We are pleased to announce that Kishore Setty , CFA, and Scott Thompson , CTFA, were named heads of our New York and Atlanta offices, respectively. A great deal of thought and strategic planning went into these important leadership transitions, and they reflect a commitment to ensuring continuity and consistency with our management team. Atlantic Trust invests in our rising talent...

Firm News

Atlantic Trust Heads to the Sunshine State for the 51st Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning

Paulina Mejia
January 24, 2017

Atlantic Trust was proud to be part of this year’s Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning , which took place the week of January 9 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center. The week-long program, one of the largest and most respected in estate planning, included over 140 exhibitors, as well as educational and professional development opportunities for all in...

Firm News

Atlantic Trust Post-Election Update Webinar

David L. Donabedian CFA
November 15, 2016

The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election outcome yielded not one, but two surprises for the nation and the world last week. The first, of course, was an unexpected Republican sweep in both the White House and in Congress: Donald Trump has been elected 45th President of the United States while the GOP retained control of the House of Representatives and gained a majority in the Senate. The...

Firm News

Election and Market Update

David L. Donabedian CFA
November 09, 2016

Donald Trump's victory was greeted negatively by global equity markets overnight, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 Index opened this morning in a slightly positive direction. A number of factors may create a volatile short-term environment: ...

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G2G Impact

Why Insurance is Your Safety Net, Not an Investment

Jordan Sheiner
December 19, 2018

Our four-part series about setting and achieving your financial goals concludes with an in-depth look at insurance: how to get it and how to use it effectively. When you think of insurance, the words “health” or “car” are probably closely associated. For most young professionals, these are generally the first and only types of insurance that are needed for now. However, as objectives...

G2G Impact

G2G Impact: How to Control Your Credit So It Doesn’t Control You

Jordan Sheiner
December 11, 2018

Welcome to Part III of our four-part series about some of the strategies you can use to achieve your financial goals—both today and in the future. More than ever before, debt has found a way to creep into nearly all of our lives. Today, 70 percent of college students graduate with significant student loan debt, and the average American has a credit card balance of $6,375...

G2G Impact

G2G Impact Planning Foundations: Savings and Investments

Jordan Sheiner
December 04, 2018

Welcome to Part II of our four-part series about some of the strategies you can use to achieve your financial goals—both today and in the future. When it comes to building your financial roadmap, both savings and investments are core components of a sound path to retirement. The good news is that the Millennial generation is already great at saving —a result of having the importance of...

G2G Impact

G2G Impact Planning Foundations: Planning For Your Future

Jordan Sheiner
November 28, 2018

Welcome to Part I of our four-part series about some of the strategies you can use to achieve your financial goals—both today and in the future. Millennial this, millennial that. News outlets love to cover them, and brands have struggled to understand them, but the fact remains that millennials are finally starting to come into their own. In fact, millennials are now the largest...

G2G Impact

Wealth Your Way Podcast: Charitable Planning - When Fortune Smiles on You, How Do You Smile Back?

Josh Miller, CFP®
November 27, 2018

If there are causes you feel strongly about that you wish to support financially, charitable giving is likely an important consideration when setting your near- and long-term financial goals. While donating money to your favorite charities can be as simple as writing a check, there are various other options available to you for making charitable contributions that may reduce your current and...

G2G Impact

Wealth Your Way Podcast: Are Your Investments In Your Social Circle?

Ryan Christine Coulson
November 13, 2018

Recently, societal impact investing has become more mainstream, popularized by younger generations wanting to “do better by doing good” with their investments. Socially responsible investing (SRI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment strategies offer investors the opportunity to invest with passion and purpose in addition to the long-term goal of earning financial...

G2G Impact

Podcast: Basic Gift and Education Planning - Your Guide to College and Other Savings

Josh Miller, CFP®
November 01, 2018

Although giving and receiving gifts is a tradition that most people have participated in their entire lives, you may not often think about how gifting can be beneficial from a financial planning perspective. However, gifting can be a great way to transfer assets tax-free during your lifetime to reduce both your taxable estate and the potential estate taxes, thereby increasing the amount of...

G2G Impact

Podcast: Estate Planning - You Are Never Too Young to Start

Josh Miller, CFP®
October 02, 2018

The two absolutes we can count on in life are death and taxes, yet planning for these two things can be an unpleasant process. Many young adults delay creating a will until they are married or have children, but you can also ensure that your parents, siblings, or other loved ones are provided for by naming them as beneficiaries of your assets. You may also choose to designate certain...

G2G Impact

In Partnership: Using Two Strategies to Target Sweet Spots in the Market

Dave Donabedian, CFA
September 25, 2018

Mid-cap stocks are often referred to as the market’s sweet spot—they are typically less volatile than small-cap stocks but offer more growth potential than large caps. This combination has resulted in favorable risk-adjusted returns over time, which investors tend to seek. Yet, historically, mid-cap stocks have been largely overlooked. In the early 1990s, two investment teams began to...

G2G Impact

Podcast: Mutual Fund Basics - The Power of Numbers

Ryan Christine Coulson
September 18, 2018

Although stocks and bonds are traditionally considered the building blocks of an investment portfolio, few investors have the time or resources to select individual securities themselves. Instead, mutual funds are widely used by investors to access a professionally-managed, diversified portfolio of securities without the requirement of a large investment. If you have a 401(k) account, you are...

G2G Impact

Podcast: Life Insurance Basics: Who Says You Can’t Buy Love?

Josh Miller, CFP®
September 04, 2018

Risk management is an important component of any financial plan and that includes having the right insurance to protect against potentially expensive and untimely events. Knowing when to purchase health, auto, or homeowner’s insurance is generally straightforward, but life insurance can be more ambiguous, especially for young adults just achieving financial independence. With many types of...

G2G Impact

Podcast: Stocks and Bonds

Ryan Christine Coulson
August 21, 2018

If you are just beginning to invest your money—or simply thinking about it—the proper mix of investments depends on your unique circumstances and goals. Factors like age, current income and earnings potential, and the amount of credit card or student loan debt you may have will all impact this decision. Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to investing, understanding the key...

G2G Impact

Podcast: Marriage and Finances: Loving union, legal contract

Josh Miller, CFP®
August 07, 2018

Prenuptial agreements often have a negative connotation associated with them, but they can be very beneficial for many couples considering marriage. While typically not the most romantic topic of conversation, entering into this type of agreement can provide the extra layer of protection you need to safeguard your assets or the wealth your family has worked hard to create and preserve. ...

G2G Impact

Podcast: Asset Allocation: Location, Location, Location

Ryan Christine Coulson
July 31, 2018

If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, one of the decisions you need to make when enrolling is which investments to hold in your account and in what proportion. Typically, your plan will offer a variety of investment options across multiple asset categories, geographic regions, or investment styles, and while many participants default to selecting every investment option in equal amounts, a...

G2G Impact

Podcast: Mortgage Basics: Is Homeownership Right for You?

Josh Miller, CFP®
July 10, 2018

Download PDF Knowing the right time to buy a home is not as straightforward as it was when our parents and grandparents were going out on their own. Today, many young adults are waiting longer to buy their first homes, preferring to rent and spend or invest their money elsewhere. While owning has its advantages, it also comes with many trade-offs. Understanding the pros and cons of...

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Investments

Introduction to Opportunity Zones

John Tennaro, CIMA®
April 16, 2019

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 initiated a new developmental program—known as Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ)—designed to encourage investments in economically-distressed communities. A key feature of the program is that investors are eligible for potential tax incentives towards prior and future investment gains. As a way to participate in the program, Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOF)...

Investments

Clean Energy: The Next Investment Frontier

Jerimiah Booream
April 02, 2019

Over the next decade, solar and wind are expected to receive the majority—and natural gas, the balance—of U.S. power-capacity investment, incrementally replacing coal and nuclear power as the country’s primary power sources (see chart below). Besides the anticipated economic, social, and environmental benefits, this shift in modern electricity generation should lead to plenty of new investment...

Investments

What Has Changed at the Fed?

Gary Pzegeo, CFA
March 28, 2019

A U-Turn For Markets Equity markets have experienced a significant amount of volatility over the last six months. The near 20% drop in value of the S&P 500 from early October to late December was followed by a 20% appreciation through late March. Market volatility of this nature is rarely due to a single factor, and this recent swing in prices could be a result of changes on...

Investments

FOMC Maintains Short Rates, Confirms A Dovish Policy Shift

Gary Pzegeo, CFA
March 21, 2019

Short term interest rate markets have placed very low odds on a move at today’s meeting of the Federal Reserve since disruption took hold of broader financial markets in the middle of December 2018. Today’s decision by the Fed to leave rates on hold, therefore, was not very surprising. Somewhat more surprising was the trajectory of its “dot plot” and the sooner than anticipated...

Investments

4 Reasons Businesses Should Consider Refinancing

Patrick Putnam
March 18, 2019

Outside financing gives businesses a way to smooth cash flow, pay routine expenses or fund expansion projects. Most likely you shopped around for the best terms available if your business turned to debt financing. Have you evaluated your options since then? If the answer is no, you may be missing out on the opportunity to considerably reduce your borrowing costs or borrow additional funds at a...

Investments

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)

Dan Skolochenko
March 05, 2019

What are they? Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are U.S. Treasury bonds that provide protection against inflation. The par value, or principal, of TIPS rises with inflation and falls with deflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Interest is paid twice a year at a fixed rate. Since the rate is based on the adjusted principal, interest payments also rise and...

Investments

What Is Driving the Change In Investor Sentiment?

Bill Norris
February 27, 2019

It has been roughly two months since the S&P 500 Index fell slightly more than 19% between September 20 and December 24, 2018, during which time the concerns around the potential for a global recession were getting stronger. As we know all too well, investor sentiment has a tendency to change quickly, and that is what has happened since the beginning of the year, helping to boost the...

Investments

Behavioral Finance: It’s All In Your Mind

Scott Burg, CFA, CAIA
February 26, 2019

Have you ever felt like you are your own worst enemy when it comes to investing? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s a foundational truth of behavioral finance, the psychological study of financial decision-making. When it comes to investing, humans routinely make mistakes due to mental shortcuts and emotional biases. To better understand the role of emotions in investing, we talked with...

Investments

Corporate Floating Rate Notes

Dan Skolochenko
February 05, 2019

What are they? Corporate floating rate notes (“FRNs”) are investment-grade bonds issued by corporations that have a variable interest rate, which is tied to a benchmark such as the U.S. Treasury bill rate, LIBOR, the Fed funds rate, or the prime rate. Because their coupons adjust with changes in short-term interest rates, FRNs are often used to help reduce interest rate risk during periods...

Investments

FOMC Maintains Short-Term Rates, Reiterates Patient and Flexible Approach

Gary Pzegeo, CFA
January 30, 2019

The Federal Reserve left the target range for federal funds at 2.25% to 2.50%, as expected by markets. Implied probability of any change prior to today’s meeting has been close to 0% since the last FOMC meeting on December 19. The Fed has adopted a more dovish approach to policy to counter balance much tighter financial market conditions in the weeks leading up to this...

Investments

When Opportunity Knocks

Matt Roma, CFA
January 22, 2019

Over the last decade, many investors have lost faith in active management, favoring passive, or index-tracking, investment strategies instead. Since the market bottomed in March 2009, traditional stock pickers have struggled to outperform their respective benchmarks, leading many to debate whether active management is dead. Investors tend to have short memories, and those who lost their...

Investments

Midterm Election 2018: Policy And Market Implications

Bill Norris
January 15, 2019

Markets dislike uncertainty, and the recent midterm elections were no exception. Despite the market volatility brought on by unknowns leading up to these elections, historically, markets tend to be positive in the second half of a president’s term—comforting news for uneasy investors. Although “markets are not political,” according to Bill Norris, chief investment officer and head of asset...

Investments

Q&A on the Economy and Markets

Dave Donabedian, CFA
January 08, 2019

Today’s market environment is unusual, to say the least. Historically, the average bull market has lasted half as long as the one we are currently experiencing—all the while, inflation is still very low. Add to that unpredictable monetary policy and political uncertainty, and it’s no wonder investors are questioning what to do next. In response to the thought-provoking questions we’ve...

Investments

The Stock Market in 2019: Desperately Seeking Clarity

Dave Donabedian, CFA
January 02, 2019

In 1998, the Asian financial crisis crashed onto our shores, producing a 20% drop in the S&P 500 over six short weeks. In 2008, the worst of the Great Recession hit, and the S&P plummeted 38% for the year. And now, we bid good riddance to 2018, a year which featured two market corrections— one early , one late —and a 4.4% decline for the year. As we consider where equities...

Investments

FOMC Raises the Target Range By 0.25%

Gary Pzegeo, CFA
December 20, 2018

The Federal Reserve raised the target range for short-term rates to 2.25% - 2.50%. Market implied probability of a hike at today’s meeting was hovering around 70% for several weeks despite the sharp increase in financial market volatility. Many have been expecting the Fed to attempt a “dovish hike”, by combining an increase in the target rate with lower expectations for rate hikes in...

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Uncategorized

Volatility Returns

Dave Donabedian, CFA
October 12, 2018

Download PDF The S&P 500 has dropped over six consecutive trading sessions and is now 7% below the all-time high reached on September 20, 2018. This follows a strong third quarter (+7.2%)—the best in more than four years. Here is where U.S. equity returns stand on a year-to-date basis as of the market close on October 11, 2018: Factors Behind the Selloff While a...

Uncategorized

Investing in China

Ohm Srinivasan, CFA
September 26, 2018

Emerging markets have become volatile in recent months due to the conflict over global trade, especially as it becomes a showdown between the U.S. and China. Both rhetoric and action on this front have been and may continue to be highly unpredictable. The trade war could also have a ripple effect on global growth. At the same time, waiting for all of these macro issues to resolve themselves...

Uncategorized

Private Equity: Too Much Demand?

Kyle Leavitt
May 22, 2018

Download PDF This past year saw record levels of capital being raised by Private Equity (PE) funds. This was the result of more firms coming to market to raise funds and a seemingly universal increase in the size of each fund raised. The graphic below shows how substantial the increase has been in both fund size and the number of funds being raised. This influx of capital has been...

Uncategorized

Co-Investments: A Closer Look

Lester P. Duke, CFA
September 20, 2017

Download PDF Co-investing, also referred to as direct investing, is becoming a larger and more dynamic element of private market investing in recent years, and we believe the trend will accelerate over time. Here we provide a brief overview of what co-investing is, how it’s different from investing in a traditional private equity fund, its key advantages and special considerations...

Uncategorized

Is Inflation Whipped?

David L. Donabedian CFA
August 24, 2017

Download PDF In 1974, President Gerald Ford encouraged all Americans to wear "WIN" buttons (Whip Inflation Now) as a way to rally the country against the inflationary spiral that was causing major economic dislocations and rapidly rising interest rates. Fast forward to 2017, and today’s WIN button could stand for “Where’s Inflation Now?” Despite a long economic expansion, a...

Uncategorized

Investors Beware…Of Investors

Scott M. Burg, CFA, CAIA
June 29, 2017

Download PDF Last month’s investment article highlighted the debate surrounding active vs. passive investment, framed by the notion that most professionally managed funds have struggled to keep up with indices in recent years. This month, we continue our discussion, but with a different dimension of active management, looking at whether individual investors are successful in...

Uncategorized

It’s Never Too Early to Plan

Judith A. Saxe AEP®
June 29, 2017

Download PDF Summer is here, and your adult children may now be home from college, your child may be getting ready for his or her first post-college job or you may be helping a child prepare to leave for college for the first time. As a parent, you can use these opportunities to discuss some important estate and financial planning issues that develop as your child becomes an adult....

Uncategorized

Asset Allocation Committee Update

David L. Donabedian CFA
May 24, 2017

Download PDF At its May meeting, the CIBC Atlantic Trust Asset Allocation Committee (AAC) determined that a higher relative allocation to developed international equity markets is appropriate under current market conditions. Developed international markets consist primarily of equities in Europe and Japan, which comprise over 85% of the MSCI Europe, Australia, Far East Index...

Uncategorized

An Active Debate on Passive Investing

John Tennaro
May 24, 2017

Download PDF There have been many existential debates about the “optimal” way to invest: growth stocks vs. value stocks, international vs. U.S.-only portfolios, and the list goes on. This type of discussion tends to crop up after one type of investment outperforms another type for a period of time, which leads some to declare that today’s winner will remain superior for years to...

Uncategorized

What Is Artificial Intelligence and Why Should Investors Care?

Jigar Patel
March 30, 2017

We believe artificial intelligence is one of the most exciting and transformative opportunities on the horizon. The foundation of computing was built upon the idea of people instructing a computer regarding the processes it should perform. Computers behaved like calculators, crunching data without having the ability to make decisions. In recent years, however, technology has made...

Uncategorized

What’s the Deal with Private Equity? Understanding Private Equity Returns

Daniel Criscuolo
February 23, 2017

For some investors, private equity (PE) may be a bit of a mystery. Their only exposure might be a story in The Wall Street Journal, likely titled, “Is this the end of private equity?” While it seems that this article comes out every year, the asset class has been generating attractive long-term performance over multiple investment cycles, and we believe performance will be attractive for years...

Uncategorized

Surprise, Surprise

David L. Donabedian CFA
December 01, 2016

Both the Election and Market Reaction Confound the Consensus At its November meeting, the Atlantic Trust Asset Allocation Committee (AAC) focused on the economic and investment implications of the election results. We believe the unique nature of the incoming administration, along with the Republican Congress and “one-party rule” in Washington, will bring significant change to the policy...

Uncategorized

Year-End Tax Planning Checklist: What to Know

Ryan Christine Coulson
December 01, 2016

Every year we advise our clients to engage in routine, year-end tax planning. This planning is needed now, especially as we take President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tax policies into consideration. With the new year quickly approaching, our Wealth Strategies Group has created the following checklist that may serve as a starting point for your year-end tax planning: ...

Uncategorized

Winners and Losers: Potential Election Impact on Market Sectors

W. Brant Houston CFA
September 27, 2016

In this very political season, investors are increasingly focused on how the November election will impact the investment environment for 2017. In the upcoming issue of The Advisor , our quarterly newsletter, we cover potential consequences for the tax code as well as the economic implications for trade policy. Aside from these major macro issues, there could be industry-specific policy...

Uncategorized

"Is It Over Yet?" Thoughts on the Election and Markets

David L. Donabedian CFA
August 30, 2016

More than a year after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and businessman Donald Trump entered the presidential race, we still have over two months to go before Election Day. The “campaign season” has turned into a near-permanent state of affairs. A baby born on the day Clinton announced her candidacy will most likely be walking and talking by the election date, and a Major League...

Uncategorized

Creating Flexible Trusts in Uncertain Times

Judith A. Saxe AEP®
June 29, 2016

Attorneys and other advisors often recommend trusts to help manage and protect assets for the long term or to help achieve a certain tax benefit. If a trust is designed to be irrevocable, whether during life or after death, it is critical to consider whether it makes sense to add provisions that may enable trust modifications if necessary to adapt to changing times and circumstances....

Uncategorized

Negative Interest Rates: Paying to Save

Gary E. Pzegeo CFA
June 29, 2016

Exorbitant pricing has returned to markets, and not just in Silicon Valley or biotech stocks. Over the last several months, central banks in Europe and Japan have begun charging member financial institutions to store bank reserves anywhere from 0.1% to 0.4% of the value of those reserves. This has been called Negative Interest Rate Policy, or NIRP. The numbers are small, but the...

Uncategorized

3 Questions to Ask When Helping Aging Parents with Estate Planning

Carly Howard
May 25, 2016

What can you do to help your parents with their estate planning? It’s difficult to know what kind of “help” your parents may need—or when it’s the right time to step in—especially if your parents are reluctant to share information about their finances. Coordinating with your parents’ advisors is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of your parents’ estate planning needs. ...

Uncategorized

Brexit: Will They Stay or Will They Go?

David L. Donabedian CFA
May 25, 2016

"Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?" This is the question that British voters will answer in a June 23rd national referendum. As the vote approaches, this could be a source of volatility in global equity, fixed income and currency markets. ...

Uncategorized

A Look Inside the Green Book: The President’s Budget Proposals

Josh Miller CFP®
April 29, 2016

This year, the administration has put forth tax proposals that may change the current law. We earlier provided a summary of last year’s proposals, which can be found here . Below is a summary of the fiscal year 2017 Revenue Proposals submitted by the Obama administration that would affect individual taxpayers and future estate and tax planning strategies: ...

Wealth Strategies

Finding Hidden Assets in a Divorce

Beth McRae Mayfield
April 19, 2019

Although couples divorce for a multitude of unique reasons, a commonality that often exists before or during divorce is the loss of trust. And when there’s mistrust in a marriage, it’s conceivable that one or both spouses may have hidden assets from the other. It is in your best interest to make sure all assets are brought to light during the divorce process. Since finding hidden assets—or...

Wealth Strategies

Finding Opportunity, Using Tikkun Olam

Linda Beerman
April 17, 2019

In Judaism, tikkun olam (meaning “repair the world”), is a concept that instructs us to behave and act constructively and beneficially. Marcy Borofsky has shaped her entire life around the belief that we bear responsibility for the welfare of society at large. As a physical therapist, dentist, public health expert, and entrepreneur—as well as a daughter, mother, and grandmother—Marcy has...

Wealth Strategies

Preparing for Divorce? First, Get Organized

Cathy Schnaubelt
April 11, 2019

3 Steps to Help Get Your Financial Affairs in Order Divorce is rarely an easy process. Besides the emotional stress it tends to create, the complexities—and paperwork—that come with dividing assets can make getting divorced a challenge for all involved. While a variety of factors can impact the outcome, one element that you’re able to control is your level of preparation leading up...

Wealth Strategies

Investing in Europe

Matt Scherer, CFA
April 09, 2019

We are often asked about investment prospects in the eurozone given the stream of negative headlines. We concede that the pace of growth in the region has been slowing for many months now; however, we still believe fundamental investors can create value by investing in Europe. Currently, the CIBC International Growth portfolio consists of 25 holdings in Europe and the U.K. and we think...

Wealth Strategies

6 Reasons Why You Should Have an Estate Plan

Cathy Schnaubelt
April 04, 2019

While you may think that only the ultra-wealthy need an estate plan, anyone—regardless of age, marital status or net worth—can benefit from having a plan in place if the unexpected happens. Still, more than half of American adults—and 78% of millennials—lack basic estate planning documents like a will or living trust, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). It’s...

Wealth Strategies

The Pros and Cons of Credit Cards

Cathy Schnaubelt
March 27, 2019

Credit cards are often seen as a rite of passage for the financially independent—especially among young adults. Today, there’s no shortage of options available to those who want to borrow funds, whether it’s for a specific purchase, to supplement income between pay periods, or to get a small business off the ground. Because of the many advantages credit cards offer over cash and debit...

Wealth Strategies

Helpful Considerations For Giving Gifts And Funding Expenses

Cathy Schnaubelt
March 21, 2019

If you’re fortunate to have enough wealth to transfer to your family members upon your death, you might want to start thinking about ways to distribute it now, to reduce the size of your estate and potential estate taxes . The IRS allows you to make gifts up to a certain limit each year without being taxed at the federal level. Additionally, there are several exceptions to this rule—notably,...

Wealth Strategies

Three Challenges That Can Disrupt Your Strategic Giving Plan (And How to Handle Them)

Cathy Schnaubelt
March 08, 2019

Over the course of your lifetime and beyond, a number of challenges can arise that threaten to disrupt your strategy. Fortunately, a disciplined approach can help you overcome these obstacles to keep your giving plan on track. 1. Receiving Too Many Requests It’s common to receive a multitude of requests from various charities over the course of the year—and to want to respond favorably...

Wealth Strategies

Six Financial Issues To Discuss Before Getting Married

Cathy Schnaubelt
February 28, 2019

The decision to get married can be one of the most exciting and important decisions you’ll make during your lifetime. However, in practical terms, marriage often represents the merging of assets—and as such, has numerous financial implications. With many adults waiting longer to get married, it’s common for people to have distinct financial goals and challenges before finding a...

Wealth Strategies

Managing Sudden Wealth

Barry Berlin, CFA
February 22, 2019

Winning the lottery is a universal fantasy, at least for those who have never been independently wealthy. Ask anyone what they would do with their winnings, and they’ve likely thought about it. Most people dream about purchases—a new car, a bigger home, an exotic vacation—or paying off their debts. Few say they would invest their winnings in a diversified portfolio of assets that’s aligned...

Wealth Strategies

9 Ways To Gift Your Assets To Charity

Cathy Schnaubelt
February 21, 2019

People choose to give for many different reasons—some altruistic, some fueled by more practical purposes such as the potential tax advantages. Regardless of your motivations, if you’re considering incorporating charitable giving into your financial plan, it’s important to understand the various ways you can give to maximize impact while reaping the applicable benefits. The following methods...

Wealth Strategies

What To Do After You’ve Purchased A Life Insurance Policy

Cathy Schnaubelt
February 14, 2019

Many factors go into purchasing a life insurance policy that suits your needs. And, like any part of your overall financial plan, your insurance program doesn’t end once you’ve decided on a policy and purchased it. Certain decisions and actions should be taken over the policy’s life, beginning with deciding who should be the policy owner and determining how to fund the premiums, and then...

Wealth Strategies

Estate Planning: Relevant And Relatable

Judy Saxe, AEP®
February 12, 2019

Estate planning is not just for the ultra-wealthy. Anyone, regardless of financial circumstances or family dynamics, can benefit from the process. That’s because a comprehensive estate plan addresses more than how you want your assets distributed upon your death. Among other things, it should also designate a healthcare agent or surrogate if you’re unable to make medical decisions for...

Wealth Strategies

Choosing A Life Insurance Policy To Meet Your Needs

Cathy Schnaubelt
February 07, 2019

Any good wealth management plan involves the periodic evaluation of your financial goals and objectives—and a well-designed approach to help achieve them. Although often overlooked as a planning tool, life insurance can serve a broad spectrum of needs for individuals, families and business owners. Since there are a multitude of policies available, choosing the right life insurance policy and...

Wealth Strategies

4 Reasons You Should Consider Life Insurance As A Planning Tool

Cathy Schnaubelt
January 31, 2019

If you’re like most people, you probably think you don’t need life insurance until you provide for a family of your own. Even then, life insurance may not be on your radar when it comes to financial planning. According to the 2018 Insurance Barometer Study from Life Happens and the Life Insurance and Market Research Association (LIMRA), adults—especially millennials—tend to overestimate the...

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Showing 1 - 15 of 189 results.

Women's CIRCLE

Finding Hidden Assets in a Divorce

Beth McRae Mayfield
April 19, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Finding Opportunity, Using Tikkun Olam

Linda Beerman
April 17, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Preparing for Divorce? First, Get Organized

Cathy Schnaubelt
April 11, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Investing in Europe

Matt Scherer, CFA
April 09, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

6 Reasons Why You Should Have an Estate Plan

Cathy Schnaubelt
April 04, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

The Pros and Cons of Credit Cards

Cathy Schnaubelt
March 27, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Helpful Considerations For Giving Gifts And Funding Expenses

Cathy Schnaubelt
March 21, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Three Challenges That Can Disrupt Your Strategic Giving Plan (And How to Handle Them)

Cathy Schnaubelt
March 08, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Six Financial Issues To Discuss Before Getting Married

Cathy Schnaubelt
February 28, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Managing Sudden Wealth

Barry Berlin, CFA
February 22, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

9 Ways To Gift Your Assets To Charity

Cathy Schnaubelt
February 21, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

What To Do After You’ve Purchased A Life Insurance Policy

Cathy Schnaubelt
February 14, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Estate Planning: Relevant And Relatable

Judy Saxe, AEP®
February 12, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

Choosing A Life Insurance Policy To Meet Your Needs

Cathy Schnaubelt
February 07, 2019

Women's CIRCLE

4 Reasons You Should Consider Life Insurance As A Planning Tool

Cathy Schnaubelt
January 31, 2019

— 15 Items per Page

Showing 1 - 15 of 189 results.