Election Year Economics: 2024 Financial Planning for Tribes

Insight in Indian Country Podcast

Trusted Expertise to Serve Tribal Nations

What exactly is a “soft landing” in the economy? This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally and Wealth Management Principal Paul Madrid are discussing economic outlook for Tribal Nations in 2024, covering potential economic slowdowns, inflation outlooks, fixed income investments, and more. 🎧 Tune in for expert insights on financial planning. 💸🫰

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:48 Economic Slowdown and Soft Landing
06:18 Considerations for Financing Projects
08:31 Maximizing Cash on Hand
12:41 US Equities and Non-US Equities
16:59 Reevaluating Risk and Asset Allocation
20:36 Risks in an Election Year
25:29 Considerations for Inflation
26:51 Final Thoughts

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Episode Takeaways

• A soft landing in the economy is a slowdown without a recession, and it is the current expectation for 2024.
• When considering financing for projects, it may be beneficial to wait for interest rates to potentially decrease or explore floating rate loans.
• Having excess cash on hand can be an opportunity to generate income through investments such as US government bonds.
• Diversifying equity investments within the US and non-US markets can help manage risk and capture potential upsides.
• Regularly reevaluating risk and asset allocation is important to ensure alignment with financial goals and minimize surprises.
• Election years can bring volatility to the market, so it is important to be prepared and consider diversification.
• Inflation is an important metric to consider when budgeting and making financial decisions.
• Regularly reviewing and adjusting financial strategies with the help of an advisor can help optimize financial outcomes for Tribal Nations.

Meet Your Host

Wesley Ryan Benally, CPA

REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader

As the leader of REDW’s National Tribal Practice, Wes is committed to improving financial literacy throughout Indian Country and hosts the Insight in Indian Country Podcast. He oversees audits of a wide range for Native American communities, state and local government agencies, and non-profits, nationwide, is a member of the Arizona State Board of Accountancy’s Peer Review Oversight Advisory Committee and serves as an instructor with Arizona State University’s American Indian Policy Institute. In addition, as a Board member for a tribal gaming entity that operates in two states, Wes keeps up with regulatory issues important to tribal gaming operations. Wes is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.

Compensation Studies—Your Key to Hiring & Retaining Top Talent.

It’s important to attract—and retain—the best employees to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your tribal organization. And given an exceptionally competitive labor market and the usual budget constraints, this means basing your employee compensation and benefits programs on relevant and reliable data.

The results are in! Learn more about REDW’s Tribal Compensation Survey Reports for Tribal Governments and Tribal Gaming.

More from Insight in Indian Country

• Building the NAFOA Orange Book with Corrine Wilson
  This episode, host Wes Benally talks with Corrine Wilson, CPA, former REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader, about how the Orange Book actually got its start.
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• REDW Hosts the 2026 Tribal Leadership & Management (TL&M) Conference
  REDW is proud to host the 2026 TL&M Conference, October 14–15 at South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas — bringing together Tribal Elected Officials, Administrators, Enterprise Management, and Indian Country leaders for two days of connection and insight. Register early and save with code REDWPOD26.
• Soaring Bird Solutions & the Road to the TL&M Conference with Karla Bylund
  Karla Bylund, founder of Soaring Bird Solutions, joins Wes Benally to share her journey from a one-woman Tribal HR practice to REDW’s broader advisory platform — and what’s ahead at this year’s Tribal Leadership & Management Conference in Las Vegas.

© 2024 REDW Wealth LLC. This publication is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. Information and instruction shared in the article above do not guarantee outcomes, performance, or quality of services provided to REDW Wealth Management clients by REDW Wealth Management or its employees. Adherence to our fiduciary duty is not a guarantee of client satisfaction or any particular outcome. Advisory, Assurance, and Tax is offered through REDW LLC. Wealth Management is offered through REDW Wealth LLC.