Our Experts’ Perspectives
Our highly experienced financial professionals are selected for their expertise, civil leadership and commitment to service. Working together as one dedicated team, they help ensure our clients’ financial success.
Here, our private wealth advisors and senior bankers share their knowledge on a variety of topics to help you stay informed and financially savvy. Check out the videos in our exclusive library to learn more!
Dear FineMark: How can co-trustees identify estate beneficiaries without bank help?
Today’s Dear FineMark question comes from a Frustrated Administrator who writes: “My sister and I are co-trustees of our brother’s estate. We brought his legal documents and death certificate to his bank, but they wouldn’t share any information with us. They said only the beneficiaries can claim the funds in person. How are we supposed …
Staying Safe Online and Shielding Your Accounts
A Slick Scam and an Empty Bank Account Emily was having a typical busy Tuesday. She grabbed her morning coffee, glanced at her phone, and noticed a text from her bank: “Did you make this transaction? Reply YES or NO.” She frowned. She hadn’t made any purchases yet that day. Maybe it was just a …
Dear FineMark: Can Mom’s Assets Cover Care Costs and Family Compensation?
Today’s Dear FineMark comes from a daughter preparing to welcome her mother, who has mid-stage dementia, into the home she shares with her husband and children. She writes: “My mother will soon be moving in with us. We are remodeling the bathroom to add a walk-in shower, our grocery bill and utilities will increase, and …
2025 Third Quarter Review & Commentary
In his third quarter installment of our FinePoints Newsletter, Chief Investment Officer, Chris Battifarano, discusses how shifting trade policies, ebullient equity markets, and evolving labor dynamics are shaping the investment landscape. He offers perspective on what these developments mean for investors and why maintaining balance and diversification remains as critical as ever.
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Dear FineMark: How Do I Manage Finances During Divorce After 20 years?
Today’s Dear FineMark comes from a woman navigating a divorce after 20 years of marriage and realizing just how much she doesn’t know about her family’s finances. She writes: “After 20 years of marriage, my husband and I are getting divorced. He’s always handled our finances, so I’ve never really paid much attention. I know …
Protecting Yourself from Bitcoin Scams
Fraudsters are constantly finding new ways to take advantage of people, and one of their favorite tools today is cryptocurrency. Scams involving Bitcoin are on the rise, and there’s a very simple reason why: once you send Bitcoin, there’s no getting it back. Unlike traditional payments, Bitcoin has no central bank, no fraud hotline, and …
Dear FineMark: How to secure grandchildren’s future financially smartly?
Today’s Dear FineMark comes from a grandfather who’s thinking about his legacy, not just in dollars, but in opportunity. Here is the question… “I’m 79, recently retired, and my wife and I have been fortunate. We’ve built up about $15 million in assets over the years, and we live comfortably. We have four grandkids and …
Dear FineMark: My father keeps his finances a secret. What should I do?
Today’s Dear FineMark covers a common and complicated reality: a parent’s financial secrecy and an adult child’s desire to be prepared. Here is the question… “My dad has always been private about money. My mom doesn’t know what they have or where it is. I found a joint account in my name and his that …
Don’t Fall for the Impersonation Scam
At FineMark, we believe in being good stewards of our clients’ assets and that includes helping you stay informed and protected against financial fraud. Unfortunately, scammers are getting more sophisticated, and older adults are increasingly targeted. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), imposters posing as government agencies or well-known businesses are targeting retirees with …
Dear FineMark: Who can access a safe-deposit box after death?
Today’s Dear FineMark comes from a family trying to help settle a loved one’s estate. “My uncle recently passed away and we’re trying to find his will. Everyone says it’s in his safe-deposit box, but no one in the family is listed on it. We have the key, but the bank won’t let us in. …
Dear FineMark: Do stepchildren have legal protection in remarriages?
Today’s Dear FineMark is about marital trusts, remarriage, and whether stepchildren have any legal protection when the family dynamics change. “My stepmother remarried after my father passed away. They had been married for 30 years and built a life together—raising me, building a business, and accumulating investments and property. I’m named as a beneficiary in …
Dear FineMark: Should we gift adult children now or wait for inheritance?
This is one of the most meaningful questions we hear from clients with considerable wealth—and there’s no single right answer. Ultimately, it depends on your financial situation, your values, and the dynamics within your family: “Dear FineMark, My husband and I are in our early 70s. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate—built a successful business, …
Safeguarding Against Emotional Hijacking and Account Hacking
Have you ever come across a heart-wrenching social media post, only to realize later that it was a scam? It’s a scenario many people have encountered—falling victim to fraudulent schemes on platforms like Facebook. Whether it’s an emotional plea for help or a distressing story, these scams can exploit your trust and generosity, resulting in …
Dear FineMark: Should We Leave More to One Child Than the Others?
It’s a dilemma many families face—how to divide an estate fairly among children with different financial circumstances. In today’s Dear FineMark, we’re addressing a heartfelt question from a couple in their 80s: “My husband and I are both in our 80s with three grown children. Our estate plan currently splits everything equally, which I’ve always …
The Hidden Dangers of Checks: Mail Theft, Fakes, and Mobile Scams
Despite the rise of digital payments, check fraud hasn’t gone away. In fact, it’s evolving. Criminals are now using advanced tools like artificial intelligence, high-resolution printers, and email hacking to produce incredibly convincing fake checks. Here’s a closer look at how these scams work and what you can do to protect yourself. Common Types of …
Dear FineMark: How to navigate estate planning in blended families?
Today’s Dear FineMark involves Suspicious beneficiary designations. Divorce decrees. And a $500,000 life insurance policy. Here is the question… “I’ve been married 16 years and am planning to file for divorce. Before my husband and married, I bought a home on my own, and throughout our marriage, I have been the only person working-and I …
