“We think we’re headed into economic deterioration and the current volatility in the market is enough for us to be very cautious in equities, and you’re getting paid in the meantime to wait with cash. So we do think it’s an attractive space to be in fixed income versus equities at this point,” said Jerry Braakman, president and chief investment ... Read More›

According to the 2020 Census the baby boomer generation is estimated at about 73 million with more reaching retirement daily. And many who own property are (or should be!) starting to plan for ways to transfer their wealth and assets to their heirs, which can be a daunting and challenging exercise. But by using careful, proactive estate planning ... Read More›

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially kicked off the 2023 tax filing season and has begun accepting and processing tax returns for tax year 2022 as of January 23, 2023. With tax season underway, there are a few things to think about as you compile your tax documents and get your tax affairs in order. Read More›

Global equities and bonds rose in the fourth quarter of 2022, closing out the worst year in more than a decade. The fourth quarter rally across risk assets was driven by sentiment that inflation has peaked and is decelerating, and thus the Fed's historic tightening campaign may soon be coming to an end. The rebound in markets was also supported by ... Read More›

“It’s almost like people are trying to project forward toward the end the Fed tightening policy and trying to find a bottom here and a new bull-market rally,” said Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer of First American Trust. “But that’s in light of deteriorating economic statistics and I think that’s a little premature.” Read More›

Among the most useful tools at an estate planner’s disposal is a power of appointment. There’s an almost infinite variety of powers of appointment, and they can be used to accomplish numerous important tax and non-tax estate planning objectives. In addition, powers of appointment may have significant, and sometimes surprising, tax consequences. In ... Read More›

“How long can the consumer stay strong in light of this monetary policy? said Jerry Braakman, president and chief investment officer of First American Trust in California." Read more about why investors are concerned about the stronger-than-anticipated U.S. economic data in this Wall Street Journal article. Read More›

The world of estate planning and trust administration is fraught with a variety of landmines, and only the diligent can detect and avoid them consistently. An estate planning professional’s behavior and performance may be judged unethical or even illegal in a given circumstance even if he or she is exceptionally knowledgeable about the substantive ... Read More›

Jerry Braakman, President and Chief Investment Officer, and Jason Nerio, Director of Investment Research & Strategy share their insight on current business cycles and market trends. Watch this video to learn more about the following topics: Read More›

Attend a CE course that covers the potential opportunities and challenges regarding estate planning. An objective to effectively managing a qualified retirement plan or IRA's is to maintain much of the plan for the longest duration to achieve a maximum income tax-deferred return; all while aiming to preserve a high level of dispositive ... Read More›

After the worst first-half performance for markets in almost 50 years, the third quarter of 2022 got off to a strong start driven by a “peak inflation” and “peak Fed hawkishness” narrative. Stocks and bonds rallied in tandem throughout July and into August, boosted by second quarter earnings that were “not as bad as feared” and the perceived shift ... Read More›

Housing market potential sagged to its lowest point since May 2020 in September, falling 3.6 percent from August to an estimated 5.38 million at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR). Year over year, the market potential for existing-home sales is down 16.7 percent. Market dynamics and the broader economic outlook have changed dramatically ... Read More›