Jerry Braakman, First American Trust President and CIO, and Christopher Schwarz, Ph.D., UC Irvine Professor and Faculty Director, discuss the economy, markets, rates, and potential impacts of changes in government policy. Watch the recorded Executive Webinar to learn more. Recorded March 19, 2025 Speakers: Read More›

Retirement planning continues to evolve over the years and 2025 is no exception. As you continue to plan and manage for your retirement, it is important to know the significant changes in the automatic enrollment for 401(k) and 403(b) plans, how the final regulations of the SECURE 2.0 Act have affected Required Minimum Distributions, as well as ... Read More›

In the fourth quarter of 2024, U.S. equities continued to appreciate, although at a slower pace relative to gains delivered earlier in the year. All told, the S&P 500 finished the year with a 25.0% gain, building on the 24.2% rise in 2023, which marked the best back-to-back yearly performance for the index since 1997 and 1998. These strong ... Read More›

David Yoo, Director of Tax and Financial Planning and Beth Vasquez, Chief Fiduciary Officer and Legal Counsel of First American Trust discuss tax planning, strategies, and what to prepare for before year end and in the following tax year. Read More›

As we embark on the final few months of 2024, exploring year-end tax planning opportunities should be top of mind. This is especially true this year with a host of favorable tax provisions afforded by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire on December 31, 2025, as well as proposed legislative changes that could upend the estate planning ... Read More›

U.S. equities were buoyant in Q3-2024 as anticipation of an atypically large U.S. interest rate cut, generally strong second quarter corporate earnings and a long-awaited Chinese economic stimulus program triggered a broad rally in financial assets. The quarter was also marked by a welcome change in market and sector leadership as investors ... Read More›

Global equities were broadly positive in Q2-2024 though the pace of gains was slower than in the previous quarter and the relatively strong index gains, particularly in the U.S., were driven almost exclusively by a narrow subset of mega cap stocks. Government bonds were mixed as U.S. Treasury yields seesawed – rising as the Federal Reserve ... Read More›

Building an emergency savings fund is a critical component of financial stability and security. Key Reasons to Have an Emergency Savings Unexpected Expenses: It helps cover unforeseen costs like medical emergencies, car repairs, or urgent home repairs without incurring debt. Job Loss: It provides a financial cushion to support living expenses if ... Read More›

Act I: The Masquerade Begins Historically, the U.S. corporate landscape resembled a grand masquerade ball. Behind masks of "LLCs" and shadowy subsidiaries, some took to financial mischief ranging from money laundering to downright fraudulent enterprises. In a move to lift these veils, Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) in ... Read More›

Global equities continued to roar ahead in Q1-2024 buoyed by the resilient U.S. economy and ongoing investor infatuation with all things AI which powered technology stocks globally. Government bonds generally declined as slowing U.S. disinflation and stronger GDP growth pushed Treasury yields higher and prompted a reappraisal of expectations for ... Read More›

It’s that time of year again…yes, it’s tax season, which are due this year on April 15th (unless you file for an extension)! Key Takeaways It’s important to know where you fall in the current tax. Recent standard deduction increases may make it easier for you to file your taxes in the future. With 401(K) contribution limit increases in 2024, it’s ... Read More›

Christopher Schwarz, Ph.D., UC Irvine Professor and Faculty Director, and Jerry Braakman, First American Trust President and CIO, engage in a wide-ranging conversation about what is shaping our financial world. Watch this video recording to learn more about the following topics: Read More›