We know in the Pacific Northwest, rain is a fact of life, more so in the winter and spring than in the summer, it does rain in the summer but that is not the normal day. A normal summer gives us lots of sun with rain occasionally, whereas winter supplies us with lots of clouds and rain and bits of sun. Over a full summer we are not disappointed over the amount of sun we get, this is the “long-term”, and this is climate.
Read MoreSome of us know all too well that we may look back to December and draw inspiration. There are mean things happening in this world, so we need to feed positivity. Some feel like inflation is telling consumers, “You belong to me”. Haters gonna hate, but we all need to find the strength to shake it off.
Read MoreThe past two weeks were full of reports on the current state and outlook for the U.S. and global economies. Perhaps most importantly, the updated inflation data gave a more optimistic outlook for future Fed moves. Also, the key U.S. service sector activity index unexpectedly improved in November.
Read MoreIn this edition of our ViewPoints, we delve into some essential glossary terms that pertain to our comprehensive range of services. Use this as a resource when reading our future blogs and newsletters where we explore additional concepts and updates.
Read MoreAfter a brief hiatus, we return following a week with few economic and market reports. That is not to say that the week was without news, most notably when Fed Chair Jerome Powell spoke Thursday and spooked the markets with the comment that the Fed is a long way from done in its fight against inflation.
Read MoreLosing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience. During the grieving process, it can be challenging to know what steps to take regarding their important documents. While it may be tempting to dispose of everything right away, it's important to hold onto certain documents for a specific period of time.
Read MoreDigital assets have become more relevant today as people live online with smartphones and social media; but these assets are often neglected when people think about estate planning and disposition of property and assets.
Read MoreInflation is the driving force behind the rate increases that the Federal Reserve has presented since March 2022. Inflation peaked in summer 2022, and it has been cut by more than half since the Fed raised rates from the range of 0.0%-0.25% to the range of 5.25%-5.5%, a more than 20-fold increase.
Read MoreThe Federal Reserve has increased its overnight target rate 5.25% since March 2022. Rate increases this fast and large would, by most thinking, quickly slow the economy.
Read MoreOctober has the reputation as a terror for the capital markets. October 1929 is seen as the start of the bear market of the Great Depression. October 1987 holds the record for the largest single day plunge when the market fell more than 22%. Leading into October this year, there were reasons to believe we could see a return of the October Terrors.
Read MoreLast week’s economic reports were highlighted by Friday’s personal consumption expenditures report. This report showed consumer spending remained strong, but inflation, excluding food and energy, was below expectations. Also released last week was the final estimate for second quarter gross domestic product growth and initial jobless claims, both below expectations.
Read MoreEconomic forecasts are known to be wrong most of the time. Even the best forecasters suffer through periods of incorrect predictions. There are many reasons why this is the case. Sometimes the forecaster does not include needed data, a surprise event, either positive or negative, could move the economy away from the expected path and overconfidence of the forecaster.
Read MoreEconomic reports that were published last week gave us a glimpse of the health of the economy and maybe an indication of what the Fed will do at their meeting this week. Both consumer and business reports suggest the economy is performing better than expected. On the other hand, inflation exceeded expectations, which is not a positive for the outlook. In total, though, the reports painted an optimistic picture of the economy.
Read MoreNot all financial planners or advisors are created equal. Allen Trust Company is proud to say our financial planners are professionals who have attained the standard of excellence in financial planning with certification by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Read MoreWhen Allen Trust Company moved to Lake Oswego in January 2022, we sought opportunities to integrate into our new community. I was able to participate in the 2022-2023 Leadership Lake Oswego program.
Read MoreDuring my journey to becoming a trust officer, I spent some of my time volunteering for local organizations. One of my favorites is still the Peninsula Park Rose Garden in North Portland. As the summer roses bloom and fade, it’s time to think about what we can do to ease our financial and philanthropic planning for the rest of the year.
Read MoreOn August 1, Fitch Ratings downgraded the U.S.’s long-term default rating to AA+ from AAA. Fitch cited an “expected deterioration over the next three years”, a high and growing debt burden, and the erosion of governance relative to ‘AA’ and ‘AAA’ rated peers over the last two decades.
Read MoreWe listen to, read over and over, and see that when interest rates increase, the economy slows down, albeit with a lag. The above graph shows this is frequently true. The lag happens because it takes about 9-months for the rate changes to take full effect in the economy. The Fed started increasing rates in March 2022, quickly followed by predictions of a recession by the end of 2022.
Read MoreEstate plans are great tools for people to distribute their assets and property to beneficiaries and charities upon their death through tax efficient strategies. One of the biggest advantages of estate planning is the control of determining who will inherit certain assets, but what do you do when you have intangible assets?
Read MoreAlaska's trust laws are among the most advantageous in the U.S., enabling estate planning and tax savings benefits not seen in other states. In our most recent newsletter, John Chabreck, tax specialist, further describes why you may want Alaska as your situs.
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