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Market Update Economy

November 2021 Market Update

The better-than-expected third-quarter corporate earnings reports were evidence of a broad-based economic recovery causing investor psychology to..

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Estate Planning

A Beginner's Guide to Understanding a Living Trust

One of the most common misconceptions about trusts is that they’re only for individuals of high net worth with substantial estates. While it is true..

Older woman looking concerned at her phone

Security and Fraud Prevention

Want to Save $1,170? Hang Up.

During the pandemic, my phone was ringing off the hook, as many fraudsters took advantage of our isolation. They knew we were lonely, stuck at home..

Young woman helping older man navigate laptop

Managing your Wealth Retirement

Take a Strategic Approach to Your Retirement Planning Today

Thinking about retirement? The average retirement age in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, is 63 for women and 65 for men...

Woman shaking hands with someone off screen

Commercial Real Estate Taxes

How Does a 1031 Exchange Work?

A 1031 exchange is a process used in real estate in which one investment property is swapped for another. Through this process, capital gains..

Man working at a laptop with charts and data on the screen

Market Update

October 2021 Investment Update

After declining in September, the equity market is now celebrating the economic recovery from the COVID virus and solid growth in U.S. corporate..

People in dark clothes looking at a screen representing hackers

Business Security and Fraud Prevention Online Banking Savings

Avoid Corporate Account Takeover

Cybercriminals are targeting small businesses with increasingly sophisticated attacks. “Corporate account takeover” is a form of identity theft of a..

Couple and young daughter looking at a tablet

Buying a home

5 Signs It's Time to Refinance Your Mortgage

Over the past year and a half, record-breaking interest rates—slashed by the Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy—have remained low with some..

Desk set up with office supplies, coffee, and tablet

Market Update Economy

Third Quarter Ups and Downs

The S&P 500 Index is consolidating as Washington policymakers postpone important decisions on the budget ceiling and the infrastructure bills. The..

Group of employees gathered around a table with laptops

Market Update Economy

Market Update for Third Quarter 2021

The S&P 500 Index is consolidating as Washington policymakers postpone important decisions on the budget ceiling and the infrastructure bills. The..

Market Update Economy

Market Update for Third Quarter 2021

The S&P 500 Index is consolidating as Washington policymakers postpone important decisions on the budget ceiling and the infrastructure bills. The..

Woman and man smiling looking at paperwork

Business Commercial Real Estate Loan Community Bank

What Are the Different Types of Commercial Real Estate Loans?

Whether you’re a business or a broker working in conjunction with a business, finding the right commercial real estate loan is almost always required..

Market Update Economy

Pent-up Demand Fuels Economy

Economic indicators are proving that consumers and businesses are fueling the economy with pent-up demand on spending. Consumers are reacting to the..

Market Update Economy

The best-performing sectors were energy, financial, healthcare, and materials.

The S&P 500 Index gained 8.1% for the second quarter and 14.4% year-to-date despite concerns over Federal Reserve policy, fiscal spending and the..

Family looking at paperwork with a trusted advisor

Real Estate Buying a home

Buying a home? Here's what you need to know.

Before you start driving around neighborhoods looking at For-Sale signs or going online to search houses for sale, you should get your personal..

On Our Minds

List Grid

Market Update, Economy

12/2/21

The better-than-expected third-quarter corporate earnings reports were evidence of a broad-based economic recovery causing investor psychology to improve and funds to flow from bonds into stocks. This has since reversed as the uncertainty of the spread and severity of COVID mutation Omicron remains unknown. The concern is that the supply chain of parts and goods produced in emerging markets may slow and deter global economic growth.

Estate Planning

12/1/21

A Beginner's Guide to Understanding a Living Trust

One of the most common misconceptions about trusts is that they’re only for individuals of high net worth with substantial estates. While it is true that anyone with significant wealth should consider a trust, those of more modest means can benefit from asset protection and other features offered with a trust.

Security and Fraud Prevention

11/26/21

Want to Save $1,170? Hang Up.

During the pandemic, my phone was ringing off the hook, as many fraudsters took advantage of our isolation. They knew we were lonely, stuck at home with only a few ways to communicate with others, so why not take advantage of that good ole’ telephone when everyone is afraid of hackers on the internet?

In fact, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) received about 1.25 million phone fraud complaints in 2020, and the hackers and scammers don’t seem to be showing down this year.

Managing your Wealth, Retirement

11/17/21

Take a Strategic Approach to Your Retirement Planning Today

Thinking about retirement? The average retirement age in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, is 63 for women and 65 for men. While you may not actually retire until your late 60s or 70s, you should start thinking about it as soon as you start working. Some experts suggest you start saving in your 20s, when you begin earning paychecks, because the sooner you begin saving, the more time your money has to grow.

Commercial Real Estate, Taxes

11/17/21

How Does a 1031 Exchange Work?

A 1031 exchange is a process used in real estate in which one investment property is swapped for another. Through this process, capital gains taxes—which are taxes incurred when an investment is sold—are deferred.

Market Update

11/5/21

October 2021 Investment Update

After declining in September, the equity market is now celebrating the economic recovery from the COVID virus and solid growth in U.S. corporate earnings. The S&P 500 Index is now up 22% for the year and is poised to move higher as economic growth is only hindered by distribution bottlenecks in imported and manufactured goods.

Business, Security and Fraud Prevention, Online Banking, Savings

11/2/21

Avoid Corporate Account Takeover

Cybercriminals are targeting small businesses with increasingly sophisticated attacks. “Corporate account takeover” is a form of identity theft of a business. Criminals phony emails pretending to be someone you know to trick you into clicking on links or attachments that can lead to malicious software being installed on your computer. Once this happens, they will ask you to enter credentials where they will gain access to your email account. At that point, they will send emails to the bank appearing to be from you to initiate ACH and wire transactions.

Buying a home

11/1/21

5 Signs It's Time to Refinance Your Mortgage

Over the past year and a half, record-breaking interest rates—slashed by the Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy—have remained low with some fluctuation. Many prospective homebuyers and homeowners who are interested in refinancing their mortgage are likely wondering if the low rates will persist and whether now is the right time to take advantage of the low rates.

Market Update, Economy

10/5/21

Third Quarter Ups and Downs

The S&P 500 Index is consolidating as Washington policymakers postpone important decisions on the budget ceiling and the infrastructure bills. The S&P 500 Index has grown this year as earnings and growth have supported valuations, but now, as fiscal and monetary policies change, we are seeing investor concerns. With fiscal policy, there are many supportive benefits of spending $500 billion on actual bridge and road infrastructure. However, the massive $3.5-trillion “human” infrastructure package is concerning due to higher taxes and escalating inflation. This plan is likely to be debated and downsized before passage – if at all.

Market Update, Economy

10/4/21

Market Update for Third Quarter 2021

Market Update, Economy

10/4/21

Market Update for Third Quarter 2021

Business, Commercial Real Estate, Loan, Community Bank

09/29/21

What Are the Different Types of Commercial Real Estate Loans?

Whether you’re a business or a broker working in conjunction with a business, finding the right commercial real estate loan is almost always required if the business plans to expand or renovate. Commercial real estate loans function similarly to real estate loans, in that the loan requires a down payment and is typically paid off over a period of time, and interest rates can vary depending on the type of loan.

Market Update, Economy

08/6/21

Pent-up Demand Fuels Economy

Economic indicators are proving that consumers and businesses are fueling the economy with pent-up demand on spending. Consumers are reacting to the vaccinations with robust spending on vacations, furniture, automobiles and homes, while businesses are trying to ramp up production and services to meet the need.

Market Update, Economy

07/2/21

The best-performing sectors were energy, financial, healthcare, and materials.

The S&P 500 Index gained 8.1% for the second quarter and 14.4% year-to-date despite concerns over Federal Reserve policy, fiscal spending and the spreading delta variant of COVID. Most investors see an improving economy with continued low interest rates being positive for corporate earnings.

Real Estate, Buying a home

06/29/21

Buying a home? Here's what you need to know.

Before you start driving around neighborhoods looking at For-Sale signs or going online to search houses for sale, you should get your personal finances in order. That means tracking your living expenses and creating a strict budget, which will be invaluable in finding a home you can afford.

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