When a family member is diagnosed with a memory disorder like Alzheimer's, it can be confusing and frustrating. With the right preparation and care, family offices and household staff can provide invaluable assistance and information to the families on what to expect and how to cope from the early stages to the end stages of dementia.
Now that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is law, it is helpful to have a checklist for determining how tax reform changes your employee benefit programs and a chart outlining the key benefit plan limits for 2018. Also in this issue of HR Focus, we revisit what sexual harassment is and what employers should be doing to prevent it, address it and help prot...
The Tax Reform Act contains sweeping changes and impacts all taxpayers, from individuals to businesses, and the rules for each category are different. Generally, the changes made for individual taxpayers, including the pass-through rules for business entities, are effective from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2025. If no changes are made by Decemb...
Workplace harassment costs employers millions of dollars every year through poor employee morale, higher absenteeism, reduced productivity and costly settlements and lawsuits. Employers need to create the right culture, supported by appropriate policies and training. With the recent stunning revelations from Hollywood, the Media and Washington have...
The set of factors and circumstances which together produced 2017's robust investment returns might be described as a "Goldilocks" scenario, one in which the positive forces pressing on the global economy and financial markets were warming noticeably, but not so hot already as to prompt dramatic cooling efforts from central bankers. A...
From news out of Washington, to improving global growth and strong corporate profits, a number of factors could shape the markets in 2018, including the impact of the recent Tax Reform Bill may have on your portfolio. Christopher Hyzy, Chief Investment Officer for Bank of America Global Wealth & Investment Management, provides important insight...
The number and scope of women-owned businesses have risen at an unprecedented rate. In an era of new opportunities, this paper profiles eight courageous and resilient women who share their personal stories and the lessons they learned building successful businesses. One theme that emerged from these women’s stories was the critical role of mentorsh...
When looking beyond the short-term demand factors, there are several long-term secular themes that are positive for specialty assets. Most notably among them, growing populations, increasing spending power of the emerging market middle class, and rising urbanization. Since real assets (farmland, timberland, commercial real estate, and energy relate...
Countless hours are spent training employees to provide excellent service, and it is this helpful nature that con artists use to get privileged information through deception. This tactic is called Social Engineering and can be attempted via any of the ways that people communicate with each other. It is a highly effective weapon in the hacker's ...
In 2017, investors experienced the best of all possible worlds—uncommon synchronized global growth, strong acceleration in corporate earnings and continuing unprecedented monetary support—that fueled capital market appreciation across the globe. However, investors face a looming milestone in 2018, as they approach Peak Central Bank. The...
A private family trust company (PFTC) provides families with intergenerational governance over family assets and a private forum for decision-making. Without proper management, however, a PFTC can be exposed to costly litigation and the potential for significant liability. By developing and implementing policies that take into account the expertise...
Until recently, many families filled key governance roles associated with their trust and estate planning with trusted friends, colleagues, or advisors who were flattered to be asked and honored to serve. But many are now ready to retire and there is a shift in who is recruited—and willing—to take over. Top-caliber directors and t...
Despite highly publicized handwringing over geopolitical uncertainty, corporate misbehavior, and the job-killing potential of artificial intelligence, the 21st CEO Survey reveals surprising faith and optimism among chief executives in the economic and business environment worldwide. Ironically, it is the CEOs who have been in office longer—11...
When it comes to preparing their people for the future, U.S. CEOs know there’s work to do. They’re increasingly concerned about finding the right skills for growth. And workers are worried about the effects of automation and other technologies on their jobs. Key findings from the 21st CEO Survey show that while leaders are making some strides in pr...
There is great responsibility when serving the ultra-high net worth clients, especially those who are concerned about preserving a family legacy and the successful transfer of their wealth and/or business. In this issue of Family Wealth Advisors Insights, three areas of concerns are addressed for the advisors and their families: maximizing their fo...