Trust Matters
Welcome to the First American Trust media center. Our experts discuss topics ranging from estate planning to investment outlook. Be sure to look for upcoming events and register for live participation.

California Probate Code 15800 - The Duty to Account for Remainder Beneficiaries While a Settlor is Alive but Incompetent

By Trust Matters Editor on February 2, 2022
Experienced trust and estate practitioners have all faced situations involving an aging settlor with diminished capacity. Many of us have also experienced the scenario where a settlor's capacity is so diminished that they can no longer effectively manage their own trust, and a family member steps in to manage the trust. Maybe the trust gets ... Read More

Continuing Education

Estate Planning for Volatile Assets

By Trust Matters Editor on February 2, 2022
Many individuals hold concentrated positions in volatile assets, such as closely held businesses, some publicly traded securities, precious metals, commodities, cryptocurrencies, etc. These individuals frequently ask, “What -- if any – estate planning should I do with these assets?” Often the concern is more precisely stated as, “What if the value ... Read More

Continuing Education

Market Review Q4 2021 and 2022 Outlook

By Trust Matters Editor on February 2, 2022
Equity markets rounded out a strong 2021 with an impressive fourth-quarter move. All three major market indices had gains of at least 8%, led by the S&P 500. The market move was even more impressive considering the environment. The fourth quarter started and ended with COVID Delta and Omicron variant infections, respectively. The market took ... Read More

Investments

Best Designs for the Exercise of Discretion by a Trustee

By Trust Matters Editor on January 31, 2022
Join us for a CE course for estate planning attorneys and CPAs. The heart of trust administration is the Trustee’s thoughtful exercise of discretion. Clients and their estate planners rely heavily on the core concept that Trustees will follow carefully applicable trust law and parameters established in the governing instrument in making subjective ... Read More

Continuing Education

Nasdaq, S&P Finish Worst Week Since Pandemic Onset - WSJ

By Trust Matters Editor on January 21, 2022
The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates even more throughout 2022 and consumer stocks are showing disappointing results. As the stock market declined Friday afternoon, “all risk premium assets—crypto, high leverage, growth names—are being impacted, and what’s working right now is the opposite of that, quality stocks,” stated Jerry ... Read More

Investments

Risk Bubbles Are Deflating - Bloomberg

By Trust Matters Editor on January 11, 2022
Jerry Braakman, Chief Investment Officer and President, stated “what we’ve seen in the past when rates move up either through Fed rate-hike expectations being pulled forward or the 10-year moving up, it seems that tech and some of the growth models get hit more on the valuation side.” In 2022, as the U.S. Federal Reserve is preparing to adjust ... Read More

Investments

Estate Planning Uses for Life Insurance

By Trust Matters Editor on January 7, 2022
Join us for a CE course for estate planning attorneys and CPAs. Life insurance is an enigma, and much misunderstood, in the estate planning world. Some clients (and their advisors) love it; others hate it. In any event, the thoughtful approach to life insurance is that it is neither the solution to be uncritically accepted for all estate planning ... Read More

Continuing Education

AT&T Shed Media Assets in 2021 and Wants to Add Investors in 2022 - WSJ

By Trust Matters Editor on January 6, 2022
Jerry Braakman, Chief Investment Officer, stated “AT&T looked like their strategy was struggling, so we decided not to continue to ride something down.” First American Trust held AT&T shares for many years but sold them over a year ago in December 2020. Currently, there is a lot of uncertainty about AT&T, especially with their May 2020 ... Read More

Investments

New Leadership at First American Trust

By Trust Matters Editor on January 3, 2022
We are pleased to announce our new executive leadership team for First American Trust. Matt McCreadie has been appointed as the new CEO and Jerry Braakman has been named President. Matt brings over 20 years of experience in various managerial roles. As chief executive officer, he will oversee the strategic direction and corporate operations of our ... Read More

Company News

First American Trust Receives A1/Prime-1 Deposit Ratings for the First Time - Moody's

By Trust Matters Editor on November 24, 2021
We are proud to share that Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has assigned first-time A1/Prime-1 deposit ratings to First American Trust, FSB, along with a few other notable ratings. Read More

Company News

Get Ready to Discuss NFTs and Dogecoin at the Thanksgiving Table - Bloomberg

By Trust Matters Editor on November 22, 2021
“The nieces and nephews are talking about it, the aunts and uncles are trying to figure out what it’s about,” said Jerry Braakman. Read More

Investments

S&P 500 Claws Back Losses Amid Gains in Cyclicals: Markets Wrap - Bloomberg

By Trust Matters Editor on November 22, 2021
“Looking at the market today, obviously things that are sensitive to rates” are moving, says Jerry Braakman, Chief Investment Officer. “Tech is showing a little bit of weakness, financials are showing strength. That’s reflective of that move in the yield curve.” Read More

Investments