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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Next Generation Philanthropy: How to Approach International Giving Strategically
Philanthropy is becoming an increasingly important way to engage the next generation. As families look to prepare rising generations for greater responsibility, many are expanding the conversation beyond local giving to include global impact. With that comes new considerations, from evaluating international nonprofits to navigating cross-border complexity and aligning giving with long-term intentions. In this […]
Estate Planning for Trusts with Real Estate Assets
Future generations can gain the full benefit of your business legacy with a seamless transition to a successor trustee. Investors with significant real estate portfolios often have an enterprising spirit to grow net worth through real estate, and succession planning may be difficult for this type of successful wealth builder. Many are reluctant to relinquish control to […]