“Can I Pitch You Something?”
How to respond without risking your relationship. You may know this scenario well: An acquaintance corners you at a party and launches into a pitch about why you should invest in their new venture. Perhaps you are truly intrigued and want to consider the opportunity. Or maybe you’ve been burned by “investing” in a friend’s […]
3 Things to Consider When Buying International Assets
Expert advice for making sure your global financial investments are secure. The recent passing of international celebrity Ozzy Osbourne was devastating to his fans, but estate and trust lawyers probably had an added reaction of wondering whether or not he had his estate set up properly. Osbourne most likely owned property in his native UK […]
A Pathway to Global Mobility Through Strategic Investment
New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa could be your family’s ticket to dual residency. The idea of having another country to decamp to—either for a change or scenery, new cultural immersion, or for the peace of mind that comes with flexibility—is increasingly attractive. While many countries around the world offer some sort of investment-based residency, […]
Hidden Fees and Hidden Agendas
Who’s benefiting the most from your investments? Many investors choose their financial advisor based on a personal or professional connection. If you’re like most people, you’ve likely stayed with that advisor for years because you trust them, appreciate their guidance, and your portfolio may have even performed well. But even trusted relationships benefit from a […]
Balancing Principles and Performance When Investing
Key considerations for those investing with environmental impact in mind. If you’ve ever felt tension between your investment holdings and your personal values, you’re not alone. Fortunately, doing good doesn’t have to mean sacrificing returns. Most high-net-worth individuals still approach investing from a strictly performance-based perspective. They’re not necessarily looking for portfolios that mirror their […]
Market Insights – First Quarter 2026
A Mid-Cycle Economic Revival The current administration entered this presidential term with an ambitious growth agenda based on reform and stimulus. While most policy initiatives were accommodative, there were also some restrictive measures aimed at improving balance in global trade and productivity from government spending. Unlike Trump 1.0 when stimulative tax cuts preceded the burden […]
Market Insights – Fourth Quarter 2025
Dichotomies and Bifurcations After consecutive years of strong returns, global stock markets were expected to take a breather and slow down in 2025. Those expectations seemed to be on track during the first two quarters. After a solid start to the year, prospects of a global trade war raised the specter of a recession and […]
Re-Visiting Roth Conversions
A shifting landscape for retirement and estate planning. Planning for Roth conversions has long been a staple in year-end tax planning. Roth conversions involve converting a tax-deferred account, such as a 401(k) or an individual retirement account (“IRA”), into a Roth account. By doing so, any tax-deferred amounts, including principal and associated earnings, are converted […]
Whittier Trust Leadership Recognized by the Orange County Business Journal’s OC500 List
Whittier Trust is honored to announce that two of our distinguished leaders, Greg E. Custer and Dr. James “Jim” Doti, have once again been selected for the Orange County Business Journal’s OC500 Directory of Influence. Curated annually, the OC500 highlights the most impactful leaders, innovators, and change-makers shaping Orange County’s business landscape. This recognition underscores […]
The Leadership Imperative
Identifying and onboarding your next-generation executive. A role in the family business isn’t necessarily a birthright. It is, however, a responsibility, and one that requires careful consideration on both sides. It’s possible your children don’t have the same talents and ambitions as you, but they may bring other interests and skills to the table. More […]