“In a lot of ways, it’s following a typical playbook,” said Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer and president of First American Trust in Santa Ana, California. Read more about the current stock market and how investors are reacting in this article by Bloomberg. Read More›

To Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer and president of First American Trust, it makes sense the market has dropped almost 15% since the start of the year. “Stocks trade on the future,” he said by phone. As stock continue to drop, investors are looking into estimating profits as Corporate America is doing well. Supply chain, the war in ... Read More›

Join us for a CE course for estate planning attorneys and CPAs. The deployment and use of so-called digital assets has proliferated at breathtaking speed. Virtually anyone who uses a computer or a smart phone has digital assets whether he or she recognizes them as such or not. Some digital assets are just items or information that may have ... Read More›

Exemption planning is a safe and effective protection solution for wealth preservation and is fundamental to estate planning. With exemption planning, you can properly prepare for the next financial disaster, regardless of whether it is self-inflicted or just bad luck. The first step to protecting yourself, your family, and your legacy must begin ... Read More›

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Whether you voted for it or against it, Proposition 19 is likely to impact you or a family member at some point in your life. This controversial proposition, passed in November 2020 by a majority vote of 51.1%, amended the California Constitution and introduced two major changes to property tax law that both expanded and restricted benefits ... Read More›

Join us for a CE course for estate planning attorneys and CPAs. Closely-held business equity presents unique challenges for an estate planner. In the vast majority of cases in which a family business is involved, it is by far the predominant asset. Its continued viability is critical to the family’s financial future, and whether the business ... Read More›

“People have to be very cautious here in chasing this dip, especially as these economic impacts and fears start affecting our economy as well through consumer confidence,” said Jerry Braakman, President and Chief Investment Officer of First American Trust. Changes in stocks, commodities, currencies, and bonds are still largely being affected by ... Read More›

UC Irvine Professor Christopher Schwarz, Ph.D. and First American Trust President and CIO, Jerry Braakman discuss a wide range of topics regarding the factors that are shaping our financial world today. Some of the topics include: Read More›

“As we continue to isolate Russia because of their actions, there will be some turmoil in the markets,” said President and Chief Investment Officer, Jerry Braakman. The increasing tensions over the invasion of Ukraine is influencing the economy in many ways including increasing oil prices, multiple countries severing ties with some Russian banks ... Read More›

Join us for a CE course for estate planning attorneys and CPAs. The federal government has overarching powers to collect tax debts that far surpass the collection mechanisms available to ordinary creditors. Knowing what these powers are and how they may be deployed is important not only when embroiled in an audit or collection proceeding but also ... Read More›

“We had an incredible 2021 when we look at U.S. domestic equity market returns, and as we head into the first part of the year it has not been as fun or exciting,” stated Jerry Braakman. “We'll talk through that and explain what is going on, why the market is reacting and how to prepare for that as well.” Jerry Braakman, President and Chief ... Read More›