Bank failures have put stress on the markets this year, but another area that has the potential to frustrate the economy is the $20 trillion commercial real estate (CRE) market. Commercial real estate is a broad term that encompasses various types of properties used for business purposes, such as offices, retail shops, industrial and logistics […]
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This week, we celebrate Independence Day! As we give thanks for our freedom as a nation, we also want to take a moment to highlight another type of freedom – financial freedom. At Blue Trust, we value financial planning and believe it is the first step in a journey to financial freedom. We’ve prepared this […]
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Most of us are familiar with the verse in John 13:34, where we are commanded to love one another. Loving our families and those close to us may be easy, but what does it truly mean or look like to demonstrate love, care, and concern for others? Matthew 6:21 states, “Where your treasure is, there […]
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Written by Michael Spencer, Financial Advisor at Blue Trust Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the service men and women who sacrificed themselves for others in defense of our great nation. This Memorial Day, I would like to honor a few of the fallen men and women I served with in the […]
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Written by Nathan Lackey, Financial Planner for Blue Trust In my experience and conversations with young professionals, college graduates often do not receive enough coaching on making wise financial decisions. Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about money, and it is never too late to implement financial discipline! Here are some tips for […]
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Written by Mark Batterson, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Lead Pastor of National Community Church, and Blue Trust Client At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, 22-year-old long jumper Bob Beamon won a gold medal and set a new world record by jumping 29 feet, 2-½-inches. In the prior 100 years, the world record […]
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Questioning if the U.S. dollar’s future as the world’s reserve currency is in jeopardy isn’t new, but it’s emerged again lately amid headlines relating to foreign governments trading in non-U.S. dollars, central banks diversifying currency reserves in the wake of the “weaponization” of the financial system against Russia, and the U.S.’s growing debt. In this […]
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Written by Peter Greer, President & CEO of HOPE International The story of Good Friday didn’t begin that morning. The narrative arc opens many years earlier in Bethlehem, with the miraculous fulfillment of prophecies spoken long ago. The story of an anticipated Savior unfolds with miraculous healings and captivating teachings to growing crowds. But the […]
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In this podcast, our head of investments for Blue Trust, Brian McClard, and senior investment strategist, John Pickart, provide insight into what we have been seeing in the markets. They also discuss the recent banking crisis, inflation, the Fed, and more. We believe the highest satisfaction in investment performance is really more tied to […]
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Building a Portfolio that Reflects Your Values Is it possible to own an investment without compromising your beliefs and values? Investing according to issues that are important to you is sometimes called values-based or impact investing. Many shareholders are interested in investing in companies that are making a positive impact on society or want […]
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People should be more concerned with the return of their principal than the return on their principal. – Will Rogers In light of recent events surrounding the collapse of Silicon Valley and Signature Banks, and concerns around First Republic and the banking system as a whole, we have received questions from clients wondering: Should I […]
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Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the 16th largest U.S. bank by assets, was forced into FDIC receivership on Friday, March 10, 2023, after a classic run on bank deposits following concerns about investment losses and its inability to raise capital. Two other banks also failed in the last few days. A common thread among these banks […]
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The Federal Reserve (Fed) has been raising interest rates for a year in its attempt to cool inflation; but with inflation still hovering above 6%,1 it remains far from the Fed’s 2% target. At first glance, it appears the Fed has a lot left to do, but the Fed believes there’s only one major inflation […]
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On January 19 the U.S. reached its $31.4 trillion borrowing limit. Since then, the U.S. Treasury has resorted to “extraordinary measures”1 to extend the U.S. government’s ability to continue paying its expenses without breaching the debt limit. The Treasury will likely exhaust its options sometime between June and September, at which point it will reach […]
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Women today manage many responsibilities such as caring for aging parents, managing children’s education and schedules, volunteering, and working full-time — whether inside or outside the home. With numerous demands on their time and energy, even women who are knowledgeable and equipped to make financial decisions find that their finances often fall to the bottom […]
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Written by Jared Simmons, Private Wealth Advisor at Blue Trust Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Everything we have has been entrusted to us by God and how we use it defines whether we are faithful stewards or not. Stewardship is […]
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Every January, we pause and remember the legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Confronted with often violent opposition, he fully embraced a peaceful approach, nonviolent resistance, and quiet strength when advocating for his belief in a more just society. Dr. King was said to be greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, who believed […]
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Written by Brian Shepler, President of Blue Trust One of my favorite quotes by John Maxwell is, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” As we journey through life, our environments are constantly in flux, but individually we have a daily choice to press forward and embrace the personal growth that accompanies that change. So, what […]
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Written by Alan Cox, Director of Estate/Trust Planning and Estate Settlement, and Mike Bleck, Senior Estate Planning Specialist On Friday, December 23, 2022, Congress passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (Bill). You may wonder what impact this Bill could have on you. While the Bill itself does […]
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