David Yoo, Director of Tax and Financial Planning and Beth Vasquez, Chief Fiduciary Officer and Legal Counsel of First American Trust discuss tax planning, strategies, and what to prepare for before year end and in the following tax year. Read More›

As we embark on the final few months of 2024, exploring year-end tax planning opportunities should be top of mind. This is especially true this year with a host of favorable tax provisions afforded by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire on December 31, 2025, as well as proposed legislative changes that could upend the estate planning ... Read More›

Now that the Fed has tiptoed into monetary easing, how much more will they do in 2025? Will lower mortgage rates spur more transaction volume or will sellers remain on the sidelines and buyers continue to struggle with affordability constraints? Watch the Executive Webinar recording from October 3rd to learn more. Read More›

U.S. equities were buoyant in Q3-2024 as anticipation of an atypically large U.S. interest rate cut, generally strong second quarter corporate earnings and a long-awaited Chinese economic stimulus program triggered a broad rally in financial assets. The quarter was also marked by a welcome change in market and sector leadership as investors ... Read More›

First American has been named a Best Workplaces for WomenTM by Fortune Magazine and Great Place to Work for the ninth consecutive year. Read More›

"Your bank should understand your challenges and needs. At First American Trust, we combine the stability and resources of a large bank with personalized service and industry expertise. Our banking solutions allow you to navigate challenges, focus on opportunities and, ultimately, achieve your business development goals." Our banking services ... Read More›

"As an industry leader in fraud prevention, our goal is not just to meet the current needs of settlement agents,but to anticipate and prepare for future challenges. We have several security measures and specialty solutions to safeguard your funds and protect against fraud." Check fraud is not new, but it has been on the rise. It can be ... Read More›

At the second annual Women’s Leadership Summit hosted by October Research, Sheri Olsen, Senior Vice President and National Sales Director of Banking Services, shared her experiences of success and failure in the real estate industry. She also discussed the lessons she learned to help others in their pursuit of success. "As we’re going through this ... Read More›

Our parent company, First American, has been recognized on the 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance™ list for the eighth consecutive year. We're excited to be part of a company that has a strong commitment to its employees. To delve deeper into our ranking and see what our employees have to say, be sure to check out ... Read More›

“The GDP, the measure of our economy, is still strong and 3% is definitely higher than we've seen in the past. We do see signs of it starting to slow, but not yet slowing to a point where we're in a recession,” said Jerry Braakman. Jerry Braakman, President and Chief Investment Officer, and Scott Dudgeon, Director of Equity Research, share their ... Read More›

Global equities were broadly positive in Q2-2024 though the pace of gains was slower than in the previous quarter and the relatively strong index gains, particularly in the U.S., were driven almost exclusively by a narrow subset of mega cap stocks. Government bonds were mixed as U.S. Treasury yields seesawed – rising as the Federal Reserve ... Read More›

Building an emergency savings fund is a critical component of financial stability and security. Key Reasons to Have an Emergency Savings Unexpected Expenses: It helps cover unforeseen costs like medical emergencies, car repairs, or urgent home repairs without incurring debt. Job Loss: It provides a financial cushion to support living expenses if ... Read More›