Monthly Archives: March 2024

Episode 208 – Investing with Purpose: Matson Money’s Path to Financial Empowerment with Josh Crawford



Matson Money is a multi-generational registered investment advisor company founded in 1991 by Mark Matson. They transform the investing experience by helping investors discover their true purpose for money and aligning clients’ investment strategies with their values.

Josh Crawford is the youngest Matson Money executive team member, serving as the Vice President of Training and Development.

In this episode, Josh explores the intricacies of financial advising and empowerment, shedding light on Matson Money’s investor strategies.

They also discussed:

  • Matson Money’s approach to transforming the investing experience through transparency and value alignment.
  • Josh Crawford’s insights on portfolio construction, emphasizing education and transparency for investors.
  • Strategies for advisors to help clients manage economic anxiety and understand market mechanics.
  • The importance of empowering investors through curiosity, independent thinking, and treating advisors as mentors.
  • Key principles for stronger investing, including long-term perspective, portfolio diversification, and understanding market fundamentals.

 

Resources: Matson Money

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Episode 207 – Tax-Smart Charitable Giving: The Power of Donor Advised Funds with Hayden Adams & Ruby Pediangco



Schwab CharitableTM is an independent 501(c)(3) with a mission to increase charitable giving in the U.S. by providing a tax-smart and simple giving solution to donors and their investment advisors.

In this episode, we’re joined by Hayden Adams CPA, CFP®, the Director of Tax and Financial Planning at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, as well as Ruby Pediangco, Senior Manager, Charitable Strategies Group at Schwab Charitable.

Hayden and Ruby explore the invaluable benefits of donor-advised funds, essential tax strategies for charitable giving, and the plethora of resources available to optimize your tax planning.

They also discussed:

  • The offerings of Schwab Charitable which include donor-advised funds (DAFs) and philanthropic resources for tax-efficient charitable giving.
  • How DAFs can be used as flexible charitable investment accounts allowing contributions of various assets for tax benefits and grant recommendations to qualified charities.
  • Why tax practitioners highly favor DAFs in charitable giving.
  • Tax-smart giving strategies such as, bunching donations, using qualified charitable distributions for maximum tax benefits, and leveraging tax loss harvesting.
  • Utilizing appreciated assets as charitable gifts, and considerations of timing, due diligence, and potential tax implications when donating assets like real estate or businesses.
  • Charitable legacy planning, including selecting appropriate assets for and open communication with family members.
  • Specialized programs, experts, and online materials available such as Schwab Charitable’s Giving Guide, which includes interactive components related to budgetingtax deductibility rates, and using giving vehicles. The website also offers a Bunching and Tax Savings Calculator and a Charitable Donation Calculator to guide donors and advisors in tax-smart charitable giving.

 

Resources: Schwab Charitable

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The information and content provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended, and should not be construed, as a specific recommendation, individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.

Schwab Charitable™ is the name used for the combined programs and services of Schwab Charitable Fund™, an independent nonprofit organization. Schwab Charitable Fund has entered into service agreements with certain subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

Schwab Charitable Fund is recognized as a tax-exempt public charity as described in Sections 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1), and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions made to Schwab Charitable Fund are considered an irrevocable gift and are not refundable. Once contributed, Schwab Charitable has exclusive legal control over the contributed assets.

A donor’s ability to claim itemized deductions is subject to a variety of limitations depending on the donor’s specific tax situation. Consult a tax advisor for more information.

Contributions of certain real estate, private equity, or other illiquid assets may be accepted via a charitable intermediary, with proceeds transferred to a Schwab Charitable donor-advised account upon liquidation. Call Schwab Charitable for more information at 800-746-6216.

Fair market value estimations are provided by a third-party vendor. Securities are valued on the date they were received by Schwab Charitable. For securities held one year or less, the deduction is limited to the lower of the fair market value or the cost basis on the date of the contribution.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

©2024 Schwab Charitable Fund. All rights reserved. (0324-PZEY)


Episode 206 – Speaking ‘The Language of Referrals’ to Gain Your Ideal Client with Bill Cates



Bill Cates is renowned as a leading authority in the realm of acquiring new clients via referrals and personal introductions. As the president of Referral Coach International and the founder of The Cates Academy for Relationship Marketing™, he brings extensive expertise to the table. Additionally, Bill hosts the popular podcast, TopAdvisorPodcast.com, and has been recognized as the top Financial Advisor Influencer by Indigo Marketing. 

Adding to his impressive credentials, Bill is a bestselling author, joining us in this episode to discuss his latest release, “The Language of Referrals.”

 

What to Expect:

  • Exploration of the inner language of referrals, including self-talk, limiting beliefs, and mistaken assumptions.
  • Strategies to increase referability by fostering value and personal connections with clients.
  • Differentiation between promoting introductions and directly asking for referrals, with examples of language to use in each scenario.
  • Common client concerns about confidentiality and handling referrals with care.
  • A formula for addressing client objections and reluctance to provide referrals, focusing on acknowledgment and exploration.
  • The process of facilitating introductions and the importance of relevant connections.
  • The strategy behind providing additional resources like toolkits and guides to supplement the book.
  • Ways for listeners to learn more about the book and access additional tools and resources on client referrals.

 

Resources: 

Referral Coach

 


Episode 205 – Beyond Tomorrow: Investing in AI Innovations with Chris Gannatti



WisdomTree works to create a better way to invest, offering a product range that offers access to a selection of unique and smart exposures.

Christopher Gannatti has been an integral part of the organization since 2010, currently holding the position of Global Head of Research. Chris has the responsibility for many communications pertaining to global investment strategies, with a focus on thematic equity.

 

In this episode, Chris introduces us to the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and its investment implications, offering insights into the past, present, and future of this groundbreaking technology.

Topics also discussed:

  • WisdomTree and its mission in investing.
  • The historical background of artificial intelligence (AI) from its inception to recent advancements as well as comparing AI with past technological revolutions.
  • Impacts of AI on daily life and the degree of transparency in technology dissemination.
  • The widening adoption of AI in various sectors such as search engines, entertainment platforms, and virtual assistants.
  • Potential fears surrounding the rapid growth and widespread adoption of AI.
  • Market perception of AI as an investment, with examples like Nvidia’s exponential revenue growth.
  • Investment options for accessing AI, including Wisdom Tree’s AI and innovation fund (WTAI) and US quality growth strategy (QGRW).
  • Benefits of investing in AI through ETFs, such as transparency and tax efficiency.
  • Distinctive features of WisdomTree’s approach to AI investing, emphasizing diversified exposure and risk management.
  • Christopher Gannatti’s podcast, “The Next Big Thing,” covering various thematic topics including AI, available on multiple podcast platforms.

 

Resources: 

WisdomTree


Episode 204 – Altitude Achieved: Unveiling Wellington-Altus Financial’s Journey with Shaun Hauser



Founded in 2017, Wellington-Altus Financial has quickly grown to more than $30 billion in assets under administration and in offices across North America. Today we have Shaun Hauser, the CEO of Wellington-Altus, to discover the driving forces behind its rise to prominence as Canada’s premier wealth advisory firm.

 

They also discussed:

  • The factors contributing to Wellington-Altus Financial’s rise, including experienced founders and technological advancements in FinTech.
  • Wealth management industries in Canada compared to the US, focusing on regulation and competition.
  • Hiring high-quality advisors and focusing on their satisfaction to ensure client success.
  • Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in North American wealth management and future outlook.
  • The role of private equity in wealth management, emphasizing alignment with founders and operators.
  • Impacts of evolving technology on wealth management, highlighting its role in saving time and enhancing efficiency.
  • The importance of firm culture in the success of Wellington-Altus Financial, focusing on care for employees and clients.
  • Future prospects and strategic vision for Wellington-Altus Financial’s growth, particularly in the Canadian market.

 

Resources: 

Wellington-Altus Financial