Market Insights – First Quarter 2025
Shifting Gears In The Economic Cycle The U.S. economy has now remained resilient to the massive post-pandemic inflation shock for well over two years. As a result, the economic outlook has changed dramatically from the inflation peak in June 2022. We trace this progression to assess where we stand now and what lies ahead. The […]
Whittier Trust Celebrates 60 Years in the Pacific Northwest
Company Proudly Marks 25th Anniversary in Seattle Whittier Trust, the oldest multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, celebrates two major milestones in 2025: 60 years of service to the Pacific Northwest and the 25th anniversary of our Seattle office. Our legacy in the Pacific Northwest began in the 1960s with founder Paul Whittier’s vision and […]
Strategic Wealth Planning for UHNWIs for the Second Trump Administration
The new year will present challenges and opportunities for ultra-high-net-worth individuals as they re-evaluate their portfolios and long-term financial plans in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Strong partnerships between UHNW clients and their advisors will be essential during this transition and the ensuing four years. Proactive planning will be key, especially given potential […]
Who Should Be the Trustee of My Real Estate Portfolio?
Make sure your family’s property assets are stewarded from one generation to the next. The story of family wealth-creation in the West is not complete without a discussion of the role real estate has played in building multi-generational legacies. This is true throughout the region but specifically so in California. Almost every entrepreneur has a balance sheet that […]
Getting Started in Private Market Investment
Investor interest in private markets has surged over the past decade. To understand why, it’s essential to grasp what these investments entail and the factors driving their growth. Here, we offer insights into the complexities and benefits of private market investments and outline Whittier Trust‘s distinctive approach. Demystifying Private Market Alternatives Private market alternatives might sound exotic, but they’re […]
Navigating a Challenging Landscape: Key Considerations for UHNWIs Amid Interest Rate Cuts
In September 2024 we saw a Fed interest rate cut of 0.5 percentage points and another rate cut of 0.25 in November. Now, as we start 2025, The Fed is considering additional rate cuts. For ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), shifts in interest rates carry significant implications for wealth management strategies. Lower interest rates—though more elevated than in prior cycles—can influence everything from […]
Finding The Right Family Office
For high-net-worth individuals and families, a family office can optimize giving, investing and more. The term “family office” is frequently used, but what exactly does it mean and how are these services delivered? Each high-net-worth family needs a full complement of professionals to manage their needs. What does this look like? There are probably as many configurations of a family […]
Transparency in Family Financial Matters
Choose the right time and tone for topics such as money and succession issues in family-run companies. The last thing you need in your family business is a disruption caused by miscommunication over crucial decisions such as promotions, the succession plan, or division of ownership. But in the absence of deliberate, scheduled discussions, people tend to […]
Whittier Trust Elevates Dean Byrne to Executive Vice President
Whittier Trust, the oldest multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, is pleased to announce that Dean Byrne, CFA®, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, while continuing to serve as Senior Portfolio Manager and Regional Manager of the Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. In his role, Dean is responsible for leading a team of experienced […]
Wealth Education: Fall Back Into Financial Discipline and Secure Your Family’s Future
As the fall season and the upcoming new year usher in a sense of fresh beginnings, they provide an ideal opportunity to revisit an essential aspect of family wealth: preparing younger generations to manage and preserve it responsibly. Just as students gain knowledge for their futures, educating heirs about financial discipline and responsibility equips them […]