Newsletters

As many Americans shift from leisurely summers back to work and school this Fall, we are monitoring another meaningful change in the economy, with Jay Powell and the Federal Reserve steering the ship. Powell has made a major course correction that seems to have halted runaway inflation and avoided...

  A generational wealth transfer has begun and is expected to continue over the next twenty years as baby boomers age and pass along wealth to their heirs. An inheritance from a loved one, whether anticipated or not, can provide financial stability for clients, but an inheritance can also...

  As the nation celebrates its independence this week, many investors are celebrating a steady economy, durable earnings growth, and surging tech stocks, as seen in the 15% return on the S&P500 in the first half. However, some investors are questioning the stability of these market...

  Divorce rates in the United States have been steadily declining over the past two decades, which is great news for all who participate in the institution. According to recent research, however, 36% of divorcing adults are age 50 or older, which is a number that has doubled since 1990. Even...

As the calendar turns from March to April, many sports fans are eagerly awaiting the college basketball finals. While the tournament has seen some exciting overtime games, market watchers are also feeling as though the bull market (for tech stocks in particular) is running into overtime. A wave of...

  The Conversation… No, not that one. But for many it may rank up there with the dreaded birds and bees talk. Whereas one might make you squeamish, the other forces us to confront some realities we’d rather ignore: aging and its implications. Just like the birds and the bees, parents and...

As the cost of college tuition skyrockets, parents and grandparents can take advantage of tax-efficient 529 plans and higher limits on gift and estate taxes.   As the rush of the holiday season slows down, many minds turn to the subject of giving in the new year. Grandparents in particular...

  As we turn the page on a new calendar year, we look ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics and exciting events like the relay races in track and field. A similar passing of torches (and batons) may be happening for markets this year as all eyes begin to focus on jobs as an indicator of the Fed’s...

The Fear of Running Out of Money Financial planning is focused on setting goals and making decisions that put you on the path to achieving those goals. Enjoying a secure and rewarding retirement is a common goal for many, and we are often asked by our clients whether they have saved enough money...

As leaves in the Washington area fade from green to darker colors of fall, investors are also watching a gradual turn in the economy and wondering what’s next for markets. The S&P 500 declined 3% in the third quarter, and signs of a looming recession are growing. Meanwhile, a fully employed...

Retirees could cut their lifetime tax burden as well as minimize taxes’ impact on the long-term wealth of their heirs.   So, you’ve worked hard throughout your career, saved for retirement and now the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming larger and brighter. It’s pretty simple — freedom...

When Not to Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA   You hear the talk at cocktails parties about your friends converting their Traditional IRA accounts to Roth IRAs and now it is nagging you…are you missing out? Should you convert your Traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA? Converting a...

  Many travelers will hit the beaches this summer, while market watchers keep an eye on the horizon for the next big wave that may impact investment returns. This year, Artificial Intelligence (sometimes referred to as “AI”) technology has become a significant driver of total market returns...

Planning for Longevity and Vitality   If you’re an avid reader of health and science journalism, you have likely noticed the recent emergence of longevity as a buzzword. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, for most people it’s relatively easy to make a case for a lifestyle that maximizes one’s...

Markets delivered relatively good results in the first quarter. With stocks up approximately 7.5%, investors are perhaps looking ahead to a recovery in the economy and earnings, while shrugging off new challenges in the banking sector. These challenges may prompt a new direction for the Federal...

What’s Next for Banks and Markets? You have likely seen headlines over the past few days regarding regional bank failures and Federal Reserve actions to support depositors. FBB’s team of analysts and advisors has been evaluating the situation and working to analyze the implications for broader...

The misery index is getting better, but Americans may feel a lot more miserable in 2023. How should investors respond? Many Americans are hoping for a happy new year after the economic and financial challenges of 2022, which included eye-watering inflation and a bear market. Careful what you wish...

Turning Points Dear Clients and Friends, Investors are eager to welcome a new year and forget a dismal 2022, which saw one of the worst performances for balanced stock and bond portfolios since the Great Depression. Savers, investors, and advisors are licking...

20 Tasks to Cross Off Your Year-end Financial Checklist “Recorder ground control.”“On.” Those are the first spoken words between a Captain and First Officer prior to a detailed and precise takeoff procedure onboard an Airbus A320. First, the crew confirms that the recorder is on, ensuring that the...