Decedents sometimes leave an estate plan that creates more problems than it solves. Under the laws of most states, various judicial and nonjudicial options exist with which to repair estate planning defects after-the-fact. It is important to our practices that we have a comprehensive understanding of the following potential solutions: Trust ... Read More›

The second half of the year got off to a rocky start as equities suffered a broad decline in Q3-2023 as technology stocks came off the boil and market interest rates spiked. The market narrative shifted away from the much talked about “soft-landing” as continued economic strength and slowing disinflation forced investors to contemplate what ... Read More›

We are proud to be named to the Fortune Best Workplaces for Women™ 2023 list. Read More›

“Lucid is well below the pace needed to hit even 10,000 cars this years, and that’s why they continue to bleed money,' Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer at First American Trust, said in an interview. 'The stock will continue to be challenged until they can show that they have made a significant progress in the number of units sold'... Read More›

"Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer of First American Trust of Santa Ana, Calif., said he has been looking for bargains among healthcare and energy stocks, which trade at lower prices relative to future earnings than the big technology stocks that had fueled this year’s rally. But the firm has also beefed up its allocation to cash. Read More›

After the uncertainties that followed the Covid-19 pandemic, many were left wondering about the fate of the economy and the future of the real estate market. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for First American Financial Corporation, explores a variety of factors that are shaping the real estate market of 2024. Watch the recording from September ... Read More›

“Could Dojo or the full-self-driving technology it empowers be worth $500 billion? Sure, but the key there is ‘if’ it is actually successful,” Jerry Braakman, Chief Investment Officer at First American Trust, said in an interview. “We think that is a big ‘if,’ as replicating the human brain is really complicated.” First American holds about $4.4 ... Read More›

We are proud to be named to the Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance list for 2023. Thank you to those whose dedication to creating a workplace culture that prioritizes People First helped us earn this award. Read More›

We’re looking forward to connecting with you at the 2023 ALTA ONE conference October 10-13 in Colorado Springs, CO. Read More›

Jerry Braakman, President and Chief Investment Officer at First American Trust, shares his thoughts on the latest rise in S&P indexes and its influence on the economy. “If consumers are growing more cautious “then maybe the Fed can park out at these levels, as opposed to raising rates higher," said Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer at ... Read More›

For the third year in a row, we are proud to be named to the People Companies that Care list for 2023. Thank you to our employees who make a difference in their communities every day. Read More›

“...When we entered the year, most economists were looking for a recession in 2023. As we progress through the year, and as economic data has proven more resilient than expected, the soft-landing projections have started to really boost. The markets really gravitate to that narrative,” stated Scott Dudgeon. Jerry Braakman, President and Chief ... Read More›