When Wealth Decisions Become Family Decisions
Creating the right structure to align generations on family legacy and long-term wealthBy Brian G. Bissell, Senior Vice President, Client Advisor, Whittier Trust Wealth planning can be straightforward when one person holds the reins. A single decision-maker with a clear vision can work efficiently with a team of specialists, such as financial advisors and estate […]
Managing Concentrated Wealth: When Success Becomes Risk
Rethinking wealth before and after a major liquidity eventBy Craig T. Ayers, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager, Whittier Trust Later this year, the market may see a new wave of high-profile public offerings, with companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic frequently cited among potential entrants. If even a portion of these materialize, some […]
Keys for Maximizing After-Tax Returns: 4 Strategic Elements for Income Generation
In a world full of financial uncertainties, tax-sensitivity is one aspect of investing that you can control. At Whittier Trust, we have been laser-focused on after-tax returns—the dollars you keep—since the early 1980s. That focus has become a key differentiator and one of the many reasons clients tend to stay with Whittier from one generation to the […]
Expanding Possibilities: Investment Residency in New Zealand
Executive Vice President Whit Batchelor joined a panel of industry experts to share insights on New Zealand residency options. Whittier Trust recently hosted a webinar examining the growing interest among American families in New Zealand residency — a trend that has surged more than 100%. The discussion explored how New Zealand’s political stability, wealth planning […]
Recent Updates Regarding Washington State Taxes
Washington Capital Gains Tax Beginning January 1, 2022, a flat 7% tax on net long-term capital gains went into effect. Many advisors believed the tax to be unconstitutional and that it would be repealed if/when challenged. However, the WA Supreme Court upheld the tax in March of 2023 in Quinn v. Washington. Additionally, the public […]
Five Key Questions to Ask Before Transitioning the Family Business
What ultra-high-net-worth individuals need to consider when mulling an exit. In my role at Whittier Trust, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) to have a well-thought-out exit strategy for their family businesses. Despite the intensive planning that typically goes into wealth management, recent research from the Exit Planning Institute suggests […]
Wealth Planning as a Competitive Advantage
How smart entrepreneurs future-proof their legacy. Most entrepreneurs who have built a corporation to a valuation in the hundreds of millions (or higher) will tell you about a beginning filled with hard work, sleepless nights and worry over whether or not their business would survive. We work with many family businesses that are now worth […]
Balancing Support and Accountability
How high-net-worth families can protect their legacy while supporting their heirs. Every parent dreams that our children will grow up to be happy, productive, contributing members of society. We envision a path that may include youth sports, music and the arts, faith and culture, and of course, education. Our fervent hope is that our efforts […]
Thinking of Selling Your Business? Sell Smart
Smart entrepreneurs look far beyond financials. “The difference between great people and everyone else is that great people create their lives actively, while everyone else is created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life takes them next,” Michael E. Gerber wrote in his book, The E Myth. The sentiment applies to entrepreneurs approaching […]
The Overlooked Key to Multigenerational Wealth: Proactive Estate Planning
For many ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), it’s easy to believe there will always be time to address estate planning. The demands of running a business, managing investments and nurturing family relationships often take precedence. But estate planning isn’t just about preparing for the inevitable; it’s about ensuring your wealth survives — and thrives — for generations to come, even […]