Home ownership is often seen as a key piece of the American Dream. Beyond helping homeowners build equity for their own financial well-being, homeownership also delivers meaningful benefits to the broader community. Homeowners tend to move less often than renters, which helps create more stable neighborhoods. They are also more likely to be engaged in […]
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By Russ Crosson, Chief Mission Officer As we enter 2026, Blue Trust is preparing to welcome team members from across the country to our annual Legacy Summit for a time of inspiration, encouragement, and fellowship. This year’s theme is A Bigger Story, which was inspired by Proverbs 11:24a: “The world of the generous gets larger […]
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“And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 There is a beautiful paradox in this verse: how can we know something that surpasses knowledge? Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesus was not that they would understand God’s love […]
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By Troy Madlom, CFA, Sr. Investment Analyst For the first time since childhood, I’m putting together a Christmas wish list. But instead of wishing for toys and games, I’m outlining some economic hopes for 2026—grounded in the realities of today’s environment and the opportunities ahead. And much like the lists I made as a kid, […]
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Some stories can only be explained by the hand of God—stories woven so intricately, timed so precisely, and filled with so many unexpected turns that the only possible conclusion is that a sovereign God was leading every step. Dianne and Jeff’s adoption journey is one of those stories. They will tell you they “still […]
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Written by Dr. Ken Boa, President of Reflections Ministries The book of Proverbs is filled with timeless wisdom about life, and one of its recurring themes is money. Proverbs offers guidance on both the value and the limitations of wealth, revealing that money is a powerful tool but also a dangerous idol if it takes […]
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Executive Summary The rapid expansion of the $1.7 trillion private credit market has prompted heightened scrutiny from the media, with recent defaults fueling speculation about systemic risk. However, a closer examination of the data and underlying structures reveals a more measured reality. Default rates remain modest, averaging below 3% across private credit and leveraged loans. […]
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Key Takeaways: We experience countless miracles daily, from the innumerable biochemical reactions in our bodies to the intricate ecosystems all around us. There are three essential truths about God: He’s bigger than we think, closer than we realize, and better than we imagine. God’s original intent was blessing, not judgment. Understanding this changes how […]
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Key Takeaways: Roughly 70% of adults over age 65 will need some form of long-term care, and traditional health insurance or Medicare often covers very little of the cost. Long-term care insurance can help protect retirement savings, preserve independence, and reduce the caregiving burden on family members. The best time to consider purchasing coverage is […]
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Key Takeaways: Without clear, documented objectives, it’s impossible to make strategic decisions about how resources should flow between business and personal finances. Creating intentional boundaries between business money and family money can help owners ensure each dollar has a defined purpose aligned with their overall financial strategy. Knowing how much is enough helps determine […]
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Written by Brian Shepler, CEO of Blue Trust One of the greatest joys of my role as CEO of Blue Trust is seeing how God works through our efforts and resources to make an impact far beyond ourselves. Recently, I had the privilege of watching this happen in a very tangible way through our weeklong […]
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Written by Ryan Anderson, Sr. Partner and Private Wealth Advisor, and Mike Bleck, Partner and Sr. Estate Planning Advisor The estate tax landscape has just shifted in a way we haven’t seen in decades. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), the federal estate tax exemption is now permanently set at $15 […]
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Written by Ryan Anderson, Sr. Partner and Private Wealth Advisor, and Mike Bleck, Partner and Sr. Estate Planning Advisor For ultra-high-net-worth families, the estate tax is rarely a “surprise”—but it can still be a disruptive force. With the permanent $15M per person exemption now in place (about $30M for a married couple, indexed for inflation), many families […]
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Written by Ryan Anderson, Sr. Partner and Private Wealth Advisor, and Mike Bleck, Partner and Sr. Estate Planning Advisor The permanent $15M per person estate tax exemption has given wealthy families breathing room. But if your estate is at or above $30M, every dollar over the exemption is still subject to a 40% estate tax. That’s […]
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Written by Ryan Anderson, Sr. Partner and Private Wealth Advisor, and Mike Bleck, Partner and Sr. Estate Planning Advisor For many ultra-high-net-worth families, the most valuable asset isn’t a portfolio of marketable securities—it’s an operating business. If you’re an owner in the early or mid-growth stages, or on the path toward a major liquidity event […]
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Written by Ryan Anderson, Sr. Partner and Private Wealth Advisor, and Mike Bleck, Partner and Sr. Estate Planning Advisor An Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT) is one of the most effective ways to move appreciating assets out of your estate without triggering immediate gift tax. The “defective” part refers to income tax; the IRS treats […]
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Written by Ryan Anderson, Sr. Partner and Private Wealth Advisor, and Mike Bleck, Partner and Sr. Estate Planning Advisor A Family Limited Partnership (FLP) is both a management structure and a tax strategy. It allows you to: Consolidate family business or investment holdings. Transfer limited partnership interests to family members at discounted values. Retain control while moving […]
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Written by Ryan Anderson, Sr. Partner and Private Wealth Advisor, and Mike Bleck, Partner and Sr. Estate Planning Advisor A Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) allows you to transfer your home to heirs at a reduced gift tax value, while retaining the right to live there for a set number of years. This approach works well when: […]
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Written by Ryan Anderson, Sr. Partner and Private Wealth Advisor, and Mike Bleck, Partner and Sr. Estate Planning Advisor The permanent $15M per person federal estate tax exemption changes the estate planning landscape—but for families at or above $30M, the stakes remain high. Every dollar over the exemption faces a 40% tax, and without planning, the IRS […]
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“The President Shoves the Federal Reserve Chairman and Yells at Him for Not Lowering Rates” Did you miss this headline? These events happened…but not recently. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson and Federal Reserve Chairman Bill Martin engaged in a heated exchange over Martin’s decision to raise interest rates to counter inflation fears. Instead, Johnson wanted […]
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