Capital Conversations (Summer 2018) – So … What’s a Blockchain?

  |  August 6, 2018

Curious about blockchain? Like bitcoin, it’s a new digital technology term you may have heard bandied about recently. You may have even heard it described as a secure method for people and organizations to transact business with each other without requiring a trusted, central institution to verify the information. With a blockchain, there is no central authority, like a bank, involved in the transaction. What does that mean? Read more. Read More

Planning Matters (June 2018) – A Deeper Dive into Our Map of Financial Advice, Planning and Wealth Management

  |  June 29, 2018

This month, we are focusing our attention on the Retirement Planning section of REDW Stanley's Universe of Financial Advice, Planning and Wealth Management map. We’re starting here because most of the planning advice we are asked to provide centers on retirement-related issues. Whether you are near or far from the subject, most people have long range goals that revolve around retirement. Read more. Read More

Financial Advisors No Longer Compelled to Use the Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule

  |  June 28, 2018

A rule requiring financial advisors to act in their clients’ best interests with regard to retirement accounts has been ended by a U.S. court. The “fiduciary advice rule” made investment advice standards for retirement savings tougher, requiring investment professionals to put clients’ interests ahead of their own with regard to retirement accounts. Read more. Read More

Capital Conversations (Spring 2018) – Cybersecurity and Fraud

  |  May 8, 2018

Copyright Roy Delgado

Protecting your personal and private financial information is critical and important to your financial health. There are serious threats out there, but there are also practical steps you can take to safeguard your identity and assets. By following the guidelines below and being careful when sharing any kind of personal and private financial information in online transactions, you can minimize your chance of falling victim to some form of cyber-crime. Read more. Read More

Market View (April 2018) – The Quarter in Review

  |  April 5, 2018

As we considered this newsletter, the smooth monthly returns experienced in 2017 seem to be a happy and longed for memory. As we noted in earlier newsletters, volatility is the norm while 2017 was the exception. In order to gauge any bout of volatility we have to review it against the broad economic picture. Read more. Read More

How the New Tax Law Will Change Wealthy Americans’ Financial Plans

  |  March 9, 2018

To achieve your financial goals, your financial plan should be reviewed periodically to ensure it accounts for personal as well as macro-economic changes. This could not be more relevant given the recent passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In fact, a recent poll conducted by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) found that “three in five Americans said they’re very or somewhat likely to change their personal financial plans” as a result of the new federal tax law.

As you discuss your specific needs with your personal financial planner, the following article from the Journal of Accountancy details three strategies you may want to consider.

If you have any questions regarding the article or other issues related to your financial plan, please contact Paul Madrid at REDW Stanley. Read More

The Four C’s of Financial Planning and the Custody Rule

  |  February 16, 2018

As a wealth management company affiliated with REDW LLC, one of the largest regional CPA firms in the U.S., REDW Stanley Financial Advisors is able to offer our clients an array of financial planning services.

We assist clients in clarifying their vision, goals and objectives for their financial future. We assess and analyze where they are now, and then develop a written strategic plan with specific action steps that can help our clients achieve these goals and objectives and realize their vision.

In delivering financial planning services to our clients, we follow the Four C’s. Read more. Read More

Market View (February 2018) – Recent Volatility

  |  February 6, 2018

As we noted in our recent Year in Review newsletter, we expected volatility to increase in 2018, and here in the early days of February 2018 we see that volatility increasing as the S&P 500 has declined more than 5% in the last two days. Many headlines say that the recent decline is due to increased worries over inflation, and how the Federal Reserve will react to unexpected inflation news. While that may be a part of the rationale for there being more sellers than buyers, we tend to think this is a rather weak argument. Although the two main inflation indicators the Federal Reserve uses have been accelerating in recent months, they are not indicating a rapid return of inflation. It seems other reasons exist for the recent downturn. Read more Read More

Market View (January 2018) – A Year in Review

  |  January 31, 2018

Like most years, 2017 had its familiar themes and its surprises.  On the familiar side, we continued to see the price of oil be relatively stable as incremental increases in demand were easily met with production increases. Economic growth both in the US and overseas continued to improve. The Federal Reserve began its balance sheet reduction program, which was highly anticipated. On the surprise side ... Read more. Read More

Planning Matters (January 2018) – The Changing Landscape of Life Insurance Planning

  |  January 3, 2018

One of the cornerstone principals of financial planning is the need to adequately evaluate risks to achieving long-term goals and objectives.  Often times that process is referred to as risk management.  At its core, the management of “life” risks is often divided into the following: dying too soon, becoming disabled, living too long, or not having enough assets. The foundational product that has been developed to meet the risk of dying too soon is life insurance. Read more. Read More