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›

“When you look at bear markets and economic turmoil, markets get a little bit irrational, and sometimes do the opposite of what you expect,” Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer and president of First American Trust, said in an interview.” Learn more about the recent volatility roiling the markets in this Yahoo article. Read More›

“A lot of investors are looking at inflation to get guidance on what the Fed is going to do, to find the bottom in the market once the Fed pivots,” Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer and president of First American Trust..." Read more about how US stocks fell in reaction to a University of Michigan report in this Bloomberg article. Read More›

Join us for a CE course for estate planning attorneys and CPAs. Asset protection planning can greatly aid your clients and their family during vulnerable financial situations from aggressive creditors. As an Estate planner, you should strive to offer your clients the advantages and techniques to implement asset protection early in the estate ... Read More›