Weathering the Storm: Preparing for the Unexpected in Wealth Management
In a world where sudden shifts are inevitable, natural disasters such as the recently devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton are powerful reminders of life’s unpredictability. Such events highlight the importance of robust financial preparation for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), especially on the West Coast—an area prone to natural risks. While personal disaster preparedness is key, UHNWIs […]
Assessing the Need for a Family Office or Transitioning an Existing One
For individuals and families of significant wealth, managing a substantial portfolio of assets and investments demands a sophisticated and comprehensive approach. From financial planning and asset management to legal and tax strategy, risk mitigation, and multi-generational legacy preservation, there are myriad intricate factors to navigate. This growing complexity has led many affluent individuals and families to establish […]
Don’t Let ‘Em Buy the Ferrari
Exploring trustee discretionary distributions: Trustees are often given discretion over the circumstances under which a distribution may be made from a trust to a beneficiary. This article explores some of the factors that are important to consider when giving your successor trustee this power. There are many reasons people place money in trust for their […]
Identifying the Key Traits of Market Disruptors
Typically, in portfolio asset allocation, the concept of diversification is deemed beneficial to avoid stock-specific risk. There have been many academic studies supporting this concept. Although diversification makes sense from a “risk-return” perspective, to have robust performance and beat benchmarks consistently, investors should find stocks that they are willing to hold in a sufficient portfolio weight that […]
Real Estate Wealth Management
The right investment and estate strategy can help create a legacy of real estate holdings that will benefit your family for generations. In 1891 just before the turn of the century, a young man from Maine named Max Whittier rode a train cross-country to California to seek his fortune. Nearly a decade later, after several failed attempts […]
Market Insights – Fourth Quarter 2024
How Heavy is the U.S. Debt Burden? The last several months have seen a steady drumbeat of data to validate both declining inflation and a slowing economy. CPI inflation for June posted a significant milestone with its first negative monthly print since the depths of the pandemic in Q2 2020. The remarkable deceleration of inflation […]
DAFs vs. Private Foundations
Is there a “best” way to give? “When I speak with a client about charitable giving, the most common question is whether they should create a private foundation or use a donor-advised fund,” says Ashley Fontanetta, Senior Vice President, Client Advisor at Whittier Trust. “Unfortunately, there’s no quick and easy answer except this: It depends on your […]
The Hard Work of Inheritance
Preparing for the Personal Process of Estate Settlement Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z: No matter where an individual sits on the family tree, they all need to be planning—together—for the inevitable death of a family member. When an individual loses a parent, sibling, or child, there are so many emotions at play. Few […]
Robert Levy Named Director of Investments at Whittier Trust
Whittier Trust, the oldest multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, is proud to announce that Robert L. Levy has been elevated to the role of Director of Investments for Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc., as a reflection of his continued dedication and contributions to the firm. In this new role, Robert helps oversee the company’s investment strategy, […]
Whittier Trust Elevates Brittany Renna to Vice President
Whittier Trust, the oldest multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, is pleased to announce the promotion of Brittany Renna, CFP®, APMA®, CTFA®, to the role of Vice President, Client Advisor, with the firm’s Newport Beach office. In her new role, Brittany will deliver a holistic and customized approach to managing clients’ wealth and estates, […]