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The volume of information in businesses is doubling every two years, creating significant challenges for businesses of all types and sizes, including family offices. Besides the cost of storage, the information in records and data can pose risks that may surface in audits and litigation. One way to successfully tame the rising tide, is to implement...

Sidney Reso, president of Exxon Company International, was kidnapped from the driveway of his home and ultimately murdered in 1992. Edward Lampert, one of the nation’s wealthiest investors, was kidnapped in the parking garage of his offices in 2003 and was released after promising $5 million to his kidnappers. These are only a few examp...

Cloud computing continues to transform the way businesses work. But not all clouds are equal. We’ve collected the key features of cloud computing for family offices into a straightforward checklist and added explanations of what they are and how they matter to family offices. We’ve also highlighted what to look out for when ...

In the wealth management world, basis points mean everything. Hedge funds may charge 100 to 200 basis points plus a performance fee. Fund of funds typically charge 50 to 100 basis points plus a performance fee. The model for wealth management firms could be 50 basis points for managing a $10 million portfolio.Based on our observations, we know weal...

Clients often hire domestic staff for help managing a large family and household. But for the affluent homeowner, there are significant risks associated with retaining employees such as babysitters, elder-caregivers, and housekeepers, to name just a few. When hiring domestic workers, it’s important to consider and address the risks involved, ...

One area of concern arises from large or multi-engine jet aircraft owners and operators — or their counsel — who focus solely on the potential civil liability risks. These parties often seek to minimize potential civil liability by creating a sole-asset company to own and operate the aircraft, which is in turn owned by the individual or...

Smart phones, tablets and wireless networks are risky tools for high net worth individuals who are often targets of identity theft and social media attacks. This paper highlights the unique threats to HNW individuals and outlines protective measures against such crimes.

Marriage, a new baby, a teen’s first car, a student going to college, retirement — many of life’s major events can affect not only your life insurance and estate plans but also your property and liability insurance. This article discusses several key life events and how those events impact insurance coverage.

Those in the public eye have both the blessing and burden of a complex lifestyle, and it’s imperative that they have the proper insurance program in place to protect what they’ve earned. This articles discusses the pros and cons of enhanced insurance coverage for a number of valuable assets, which includes yachts, art and even the ident...

On September 15, 2015, the SEC issued a new Risk Alert on cybersecurity that registered Broker-dealers and Investment Advisors need to review closely. This latest alert by the SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) follows an announcement in April 2014 that it would examine the securities industry to identify cyber...

As we enter the ninth year since the Federal Reserve Bank slashed interest rates in response to the Great Recession, many Wealthy Families are looking for ways to deploy cash into the fixed income markets. This comes at a time when most market pundits are predicting that the Federal Reserve Bank will finally begin to raise interest rates at the sch...

Cyber threat is as old as the internet itself. While some attacks are politically motivated, the majority are carried out for financial gain. The potential profit to be made with someone’s personal information, particularly if the individual is of high net worth, is great—in fact, it’s a more lucrative industry than the illegal dr...

Statistics show that teenagers are more likely than any other age group to be in an automobile accident. In several tragic incidents, the use of a cell phone was involved. Some accidents, however, simply reflected the teenagers’ lack of driving experience. As a parent, you can help your teenager become a safe and skilled driver by setting a good ex...

Fund groups face disruptive developments, as advances in financial technology, often called fintech, continue at an ever more rapid pace. Even as new efficiencies and opportunities blossom, regulators have pushed financial firms to recognize the dangers of technological failures. To prepare for the changes ushered in by fintech, it is important for...

While not every breach involves a type of personal information that requires notification or disclosure, every breach requires attention and an individualized response tailored to the facts and nature of the breach, and an evaluation of how processes can be improved to minimize the risk of future breaches. The most recent Security Breach Notificati...