It’s that time of year again…yes, it’s tax season, which are due this year on April 15th (unless you file for an extension)! Key Takeaways It’s important to know where you fall in the current tax. Recent standard deduction increases may make it easier for you to file your taxes in the future. With 401(K) contribution limit increases in 2024, it’s ... Read More›

We are proud to be named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2024 list. Read More›

Christopher Schwarz, Ph.D., UC Irvine Professor and Faculty Director, and Jerry Braakman, First American Trust President and CIO, engage in a wide-ranging conversation about what is shaping our financial world. Watch this video recording to learn more about the following topics: Read More›

“…2023 was, was a great year for equities. The S&P 500 was up 26%, the Nasdaq was up 45%. Even the Russell 2000 small caps are up 17%, and bonds put up respectable mid-single digit returns as well. You're probably wondering how this all happened. Everyone was worried about a recession, and ironically that helped the setup,” said Scott Dudgeon. ... Read More›

First American Financial Corporation was recognized as one of Chapman University’s Top Employers of 2024. Read More›

During the past three years, the retirement industry has experienced unprecedented changes. For industry professionals, like those of us at First American Trust, it is a complex task to understand and digest all of these changes. For the consumer, we know it is even more challenging. A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the amount that must be ... Read More›

First American Trust is proud to be recognized by Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) on its annual list of Top 100 Corporate and Community Partners Supporting Education Excellence. On the IPSF Top Companies list, First American Trust is joined by organizations such as Experian, FUTEK, Google.org, and Hoag Orthopedic Institute. These companies ... Read More›

Global equities and bonds rose in the fourth quarter of 2023, capping a year of outsized gains in the former and avoiding another year of negative returns in the latter. The broad fourth quarter rally across risk assets was driven by a dramatic change in Federal Reserve tone from continued monetary tightening toward potential upcoming rate cuts on ... Read More›

“Our concern is with market valuations, especially right at record highs, when the economy is not as strong as it was,” said Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer at First American Trust. Read More›

"While the Fed has broadcast that the federal funds rate is likely to drop later this year, Friday’s jobs report “supports the soft landing and higher-for-longer stance many were hoping for,” he said. “That’s not positive for gold,” as the metal normally reacts best to lower rates, a weaker dollar, and slower economic growth, Braakman told ... Read More›

First American Trust’s David Yoo, Director of Tax and Financial Planning, and Beth Vasquez, Chief Fiduciary Officer and Legal Counsel, discuss topics related to tax planning, strategies, and what to prepare for in the following tax year. Watch the recording below from our Executive Webinar Series to learn more about the following: Year-end tax ... Read More›

“...the S&P 500 has had a strong year on the back of an almost opposite effect last year….the S&P kind of hit a high right at the end of 2021 and then was in a bear market last year where values came down. And then, partly through this year, it started rebounding,” stated Jerry Braakman. Jerry Braakman, President and Chief Investment ... Read More›