In June, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “His Ex is Getting His $1 Million Retirement Account. They Broke Up in 1989.” and it reminded me of the significance of beneficiary designations on financial accounts. The article details how in 1987 Mr. Rolison named his then girlfriend as the beneficiary on …
The Importance of Beneficiary Designations: Lessons Learned from a Million-Dollar Mistake
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal serves as a good reminder of the importance of creating and also revisiting your beneficiary designations. Typically, when you buy life insurance, sign up for employer-paid life insurance or open a retirement account, you’re asked to designate either a person or entity to receive the proceeds after …
Why Wealth Management at FineMark Transcends Stock Picking
Discover how FineMark’s holistic approach to wealth management transcends simple stock picking in our latest article. Trust Administrator, Read Sawczyn, explains how we work closely with our clients to gain a deep comprehensive understanding of their goals and objectives and then we marry our investment services with estate planning and tax planning to ultimately have a successful outcome.
2023 Fourth Quarter Review & Commentary
2023 ended on a high note with stunning bond performance in a reviving stock market. With a U.S. presidential election on the horizon, Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer Chris Battifarano uses historical data to evaluate year-end happenings and ponder what may lie ahead.
Read Article Here
2024 Resolutions and COLA Updates
It’s the start of a new year. We have survived the holidays, reflected on the good and the bad of 2023 (hopefully more good than bad), and are starting on our 2024 resolutions. There are many different new year’s traditions; more common in Florida are parades and fireworks and less common are jumping over seven …
Why You Need An Estate Plan
One of the most overlooked aspects of financial planning is estate planning. Many people put off the discussion, thinking it’s not necessary until later in life. But the truth is, it’s never too soon to start. An estate plan ensures that when you become incapacitated or pass away, your assets are managed by and go …
Year-end Tips and Preparation for 2024
As we approach the end of 2023, now is the perfect time to review your financial planning, track your progress and make adjustments for the year ahead. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of five suggestions to consider before the year comes to a close. Review Your Investments First up, take a …
New Federal Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements in 2024
Beginning in 2024, US tax filers will have new obligations to report personal information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury (“FinCEN”), regarding certain closely held businesses. Failure to report could result in civil and criminal penalties, so it’s important to know if you’re subject to FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Information …
2023 Second Quarter Review & Commentary
While storm clouds remain on the investment horizon, Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer Chris Battifarano explains why savvy investors should focus on the long-term, ignore Wall Street chatter, and be aware of mega trends that develop and impact the economic landscape.
Read Article Here
How Sophisticated Have Online Scams Become?
In our last trust newsletter (Click to read Common Financial Scams and How to Avoid Them), we discussed common financial scams and how to avoid them. Due to the importance of recognizing cyber fraud and how pervasive it has become, we decided to provide some additional information on online fraud to help protect you from …
2023 First Quarter Review & Commentary
Both stock and bond markets move significantly higher during the quarter, making up some of their losses posted in 2022. This, despite continued Fed rate hikes and concerns about liquidity in the banking sector. Please enjoy our latest newsletter where FineMark’s CIO, Chris Battifarano, reviews the quarter and our newest investment theme: How artificial intelligence (AI) will impact the economy in the future.
Common Financial Scams and How to Avoid Them
I know what you’re thinking, “I won’t fall for any of those financial scams I hear about because they are so obvious.” While that may have been true in the past, scammers are continually improving their craft and devising more sophisticated scams. Just as social media employs engineers to increase our use of social media, …
