Wealth Management

The Million-Dollar Mistake Most Wealthy Families Make Imagine finding a Jackson Pollock worth $50 million in a trailer or a Chinese vase selling for 43 million pounds after being valued at just 1 million pounds. These stories highlight a common oversight among ultra-high-net-worth individuals: underestimating the value of their art and collectibles. Without specialized estate planning, these valuable assets can lead to millions in taxes, family disputes, and forced sales. Understanding the Unique Nature of Art and Collectibles The problem often starts with a misunderstanding. Many wealthy families categorize art as conventional investments, like stocks or bonds. However, art and…

In today’s digital-first world, investors expect more than generic thought leadership orone-size-fits-all advice. They want relevant, actionable insights that align with theirfinancial goals and personal values. Wealth managers who deliver high-quality, client-centric content won’t just stand out in a competitive market—they’ll build lastingrelationships with clients. Despite this demand, wealth management firms are falling short. In a recent AccentureAsia survey, most Chief Experience Officers agreed that investment content iscrucial—yet only 8% were satisfied with what their firm produces. So, how can firms move beyond stale marketing playbooks that favor broad industrycommentary over personalized, engaging and start delivering the insights that clientsactually…

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week, setting in motion the development of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund (SWF). The idea behind a sovereign wealth fund is that rather than relying solely on taxes or debt to finance government operations, a country can invest a portion of its national wealth in financial markets, using the returns to strengthen long-term fiscal stability. Sovereign wealth funds have grown into major global financial institutions in recent decades. Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global, which was built on oil revenues, now holds $1.7 trillion in assets and recently recorded $222 billion in annual…

With almost two-thirds of the fourth-quarter earnings season complete, the pace slows slightly with 77 S&P 500 companies scheduled to report. 77% of S&P 500 firms reported better-than-expected earnings for the quarter. Two of the Magnificent 7 reported earnings last week, with only NVIDIA (NVDA) remaining on February 26. The Magnificent 7 consists of Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Amazon.com (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), NVIDIA (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Tesla (TSLA). Despite robust earnings growth and a noisy but solid jobs report, concerns about President Trump’s threatened additional tariffs and some worries about artificial intelligence (AI) spending caused some market consternation.…

In a significant shift for the legal and financial services landscape, KPMG Law US has applied for an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) license in Arizona. If approved, KPMG would become the first of the Big Four accounting firms to establish a law firm in the United States. This move underscores a broader trend of integrating legal, tax, and financial services under one umbrella—raising critical questions about the future of estate planning, wealth management, trust administration, and succession planning for family businesses. The potential ripple effects extend far beyond KPMG. If banks, multifamily offices, and wealth managers follow suit by obtaining…

When it comes to sustaining wealth and influence across generations, family enterprises face a unique set of challenges. Some thrive for centuries, evolving into dynasties, while others crumble within a generation or two. The difference often lies in how they view themselves—not just as businesses, but as long-term stewards of wealth. A recent article from the Family Firm Institute, Sustaining Family Legacies: What Family Enterprises Can Learn from Asset Management Firms, by Dr. Isabella Otero offers an intriguing perspective. It argues that family-owned businesses should take a page from asset management firms by adopting a structured, professionalized approach. Rather than…

Retirement often feels like the light at the end of the tunnel—a time to relax, enjoy life, and finally pursue the dreams that were put on hold during the busy years of work and family life. For many, this dream centers around travel: exploring new cultures, revisiting favorite places, and soaking in experiences that fill the soul. But achieving a retirement that’s full of travel takes more than daydreams and wanderlust. It requires thoughtful planning, financial discipline, and a clear roadmap. Here’s how you can design your retirement to turn those travel dreams into reality. 1. Envision Your Ideal Travel…

Gold’s been hitting new highs and a few gold and silver stocks have been running up to higher highs along with it. It’s hard to say with certainty what the reason is. Inflation concerns are the first thing that come to the mind of an analyst. Or, considering the strangeness in Washington, D. C. these days, the concern might be fear. Whatever the case, precious metals and the companies that mine for them are having a decent run. Gold Stocks and 1 Silver Stock: New Highs SPDR Gold Shares: This is the NYSE-traded exchange traded fund that reflects movements in…

Family offices, the private wealth management entities of ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families are increasingly becoming sophisticated and influential players within the global financial ecosystem. According to Deloitte Private, there were an estimated 8030 single-family offices globally in 2024, with projections suggesting growth to approximately 10,720 by 2030. We have researched and reviewed what is to come in 2025, here we will outline the predictions, trends and outlooks shaping the family office sector in the coming year. Further Professionalisation The family office sector is expected to continue its trend towards professionalisation in 2025. Reports like the Global Family Office 2024 Survey Insights…

The U.S. Senate has introduced the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act (TAS Act), a legislative proposal aimed at modernizing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and enhancing taxpayer services. As tax administration continues to face scrutiny over inefficiencies and outdated processes, this bill seeks to address these concerns through targeted reforms. The TAS Act was released as a discussion draft by Senators Mike Crapo and Ron Wyden on January 30, 2025. f now, it remains a draft and has not been formally introduced or filed in either chamber of Congress. Key Provisions of the TAS Act The proposed legislation includes a…

This week is the busiest of the fourth-quarter earnings season, with 130 S&P 500 companies scheduled to report. 77% of S&P 500 firms reported better-than-expected earnings for the quarter. Four of the Magnificent 7 reported earnings last week, with another two coming this week. The Magnificent 7 consists of Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Amazon.com (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), NVIDIA (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Tesla (TSLA). Despite overall better earnings and resilient U.S. economic growth, the announcement of DeepSeek development and President Trump’s threatened tariffs against China, Canada, and Mexico caused crosscurrents in the markets. The S&P 500 fell 1% for…