Artificial Intelligence Can Make Financial Information Easier to Access, But It Can’t Replace Judgment
Trusted advice and the role of AI in wealth management By Whittier Trust Artificial intelligence has changed how people access financial information. Today, it’s easier than ever before to ask an AI assistant about investment concepts. But for ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families, simple information has never been the scarcest resource. The greater need is […]
Don’t Be the Financial Bottleneck in Your Family
The best approach to succession planning for family wealth is sharing knowledge across generation By Whittier Trust For many first-generation wealth creators, it’s easy to think that everything’s under control. One person built the business, opened the accounts, and knows every advisor by name. Often, the rest of the family trusts them completely—and knows almost […]
Moving from a Single to Multi-Family Office
How it works, why it’s advantageous, and what to expect in the transition By Kimberly Frasca-Delaney, Senior Vice President and Client Advisor for Whittier Trust Company Sometimes when family finances grow in size and complexity, the answer is to go simpler, not bigger. After devoting years to building your own family office, it can be […]
The Key to Good Estate Planning? Talking About It
Don’t let potential discomfort stop your from discussing your wishes By Sharon Perlin, Senior Vice President and Client Advisor for Whittier Trust Company Many people are afraid to talk about what happens when they die. Some think it’s bad luck, while others prefer to avoid the discussion because it can be uncomfortable. Still others think […]
Alternative Investments
How to make non-traditional assets work for you By Eric Derrington, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for Whittier Trust Company When people talk about asset classes, they often cite cash, bonds, and publicly traded stocks. “Alternative investments” are sometimes added as a catchall category—but alternatives are far from homogeneous. At their core, alternative […]
Charitable Giving After a Liquidity Event
Philanthropic strategy for newly realized wealth By Amanda Buntmann, Vice President, Client Advisor, Philanthropic Services, Whittier Trust A liquidity event often begins with spreadsheets, attorneys, and tax projections. But for many wealthy families, the more consequential questions emerge afterward. In one early meeting following a significant business sale, three generations gathered around the table: a […]
No Crypto. No Gold. The Institutional Discipline Behind the Zero
Why the world’s best-managed money isn’t chasing the headlinesBy Whit Batchelor, Executive Vice President and Client Advisor, Whittier Trust The recently released 2026 Global Family Office Report by J.P. Morgan was a survey of 333 single-family offices, across 30 countries, with an average net worth of $1.6 billion. While their assets were significant, another striking […]
It Shouldn’t Cost Millions to Run Your Family Office
The staggering expense of a single-family office may run counter to the goal of wealth preservation By Whit Batchelor, Executive Vice President and Client Advisor, Whittier Trust There’s a startling finding in the recently released 2026 Global Family Office Report by J.P. Morgan: Ultra-high-net-worth families are paying an average of $6.6 million annually to have […]
A Philanthropic Write-Off for the 70-Plus Set
How qualified charitable distributions work and how they can help offset tax burdens By Gregg Millward, Whittier Trust Client Advisor Anyone nearing the age of 70 should be aware that you will soon have some age-specific tax rules to consider in managing your money. The good news is that many of them are quite beneficial. […]
Planning for a Major Philanthropic Gift
Three steps to making a transformational donationBy Whittier Trust A major gift to a university, hospital, museum, or other well-known institution can be a transformative undertaking for both you and the intended recipient. Perhaps you’re considering a substantial sum for an organization you already support, or maybe you have no prior relationship at all. Either […]