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 […]
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 […]
Market Insights – Second Quarter 2026
Chaos in Commodities After 2025 was jolted by a global trade war and a U.S. government shutdown, investors had hoped for greater stability and lower volatility in 2026. However, the first quarter of 2026 has been far from tranquil as geopolitical events have dominated headlines. A surprising common denominator emerges across these events; they all […]
Whittier Trust Announces Semiannual Promotions
Whittier Trust announces promotions recognizing professionals at its Pasadena, West Los Angeles, and Newport Beach offices. Sam Kendrick, based in the Pasadena office, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager. He designs customized investment solutions with a focus on after-tax, risk-adjusted returns and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Carter Thicke, […]
“Can I Pitch You Something?”
How to respond without risking your relationship. You may know this scenario well: An acquaintance corners you at a party and launches into a pitch about why you should invest in their new venture. Perhaps you are truly intrigued and want to consider the opportunity. Or maybe you’ve been burned by “investing” in a friend’s […]
3 Things to Consider When Buying International Assets
Expert advice for making sure your global financial investments are secure. The recent passing of international celebrity Ozzy Osbourne was devastating to his fans, but estate and trust lawyers probably had an added reaction of wondering whether or not he had his estate set up properly. Osbourne most likely owned property in his native UK […]
A Pathway to Global Mobility Through Strategic Investment
New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa could be your family’s ticket to dual residency. The idea of having another country to decamp to—either for a change or scenery, new cultural immersion, or for the peace of mind that comes with flexibility—is increasingly attractive. While many countries around the world offer some sort of investment-based residency, […]
Balancing Principles and Performance When Investing
Key considerations for those investing with environmental impact in mind. If you’ve ever felt tension between your investment holdings and your personal values, you’re not alone. Fortunately, doing good doesn’t have to mean sacrificing returns. Most high-net-worth individuals still approach investing from a strictly performance-based perspective. They’re not necessarily looking for portfolios that mirror their […]
Market Insights – First Quarter 2026
A Mid-Cycle Economic Revival The current administration entered this presidential term with an ambitious growth agenda based on reform and stimulus. While most policy initiatives were accommodative, there were also some restrictive measures aimed at improving balance in global trade and productivity from government spending. Unlike Trump 1.0 when stimulative tax cuts preceded the burden […]