With the first half of 2016 officially behind us, mid-year always seems like a good time to look back and take stock.  Following years of relative calm and unusually low volatility, the past twelve months have brought no less than three significant selloffs in U.S. equities:  one in August on uncertainty about falling oil prices…

I recently wrapped up a four month long leadership development program that has changed the way I view things in such a profound way.  As a young leader in my company, my household and in my community, I am regularly looking for a way to make a difference.  But sometimes, even I get “stuck” in…

I love seeing my family and friends when I return to my hometown for a visit.  Most have a general idea of what I do, yet some think of me as either a banker (“what are you paying on CD’s these days”) or a broker (“got a hot stock tip for me?”).   However, I believe…

On August 27, 2016, I will be getting married to an amazing guy; he proposed at a fundraising event I have been a part of for going on six years, in front of a crowd of 250 people back in October.  Now that the big day is just over a couple months away, we have…

Ever wonder what the investment process looks like at Legacy Trust? Laina Mills explains how Legacy Trust’s advisory team comes together to tailor customize strategies for each person’s unique situation.   [vc_video title=”” link=”https://vimeo.com/169873326″]

Someone or something is trying to send me a message.  A few weeks ago, we had an internal training session about how telling stories can send a powerful message.  Just a few days ago, I was having coffee with a friend of mine.  He was holding a recent copy of Sports Illustrated and was skimming…

You know what is said about change; that it is inevitable, which is so true.  With that being said the reason for change and how we adjust to it is solely up to each of us as individuals. In 1991 I began my career in banking as a teller at Old Kent and over the…

As a young professional still in my 20’s, I thought I would shed some light on what I am doing to better my financial position. Nowadays the majority of college graduates come out of school with student debt and have to juggle the demands of a hefty monthly loan payment with rent, car, food, and…

When we meet with our clients to discuss their portfolio positioning and performance, an important part of the conversation is a review of current economic conditions.  We emphasize this review because, although we all know from firsthand experience that the stock market can be swung by headlines, emotions, and other factors on a short-term basis,…

At Legacy Trust, we believe it is possible we will be in a low return environment for some time to come.  This presents an unsettling situation for all investors, but can be especially challenging for a taxable investor whose investment returns are subject to further reduction from taxes.  For the typical investor with both taxable…