More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks. While nothing can guarantee complete safety on the Internet, understanding how to protect your privacy can help mitigate your exposure to risk. Here are some ways to help you safeguard your information:…
In 2021, women-led companies only received 2% of all venture capital funding, a figure considered the lowest percentage in more than five years.1 Data shows this figure does not necessarily reflect the potential success of female-owned businesses, but possibly more of a reluctance for male investors or male-led funds to green-light these projects. The reasons…
Planning personal finances used to be the worry of the wealthy and their worry—usually preservation of wealth—was attended to by teams of trust officers and lawyers. Many of today’s middle class families have different concerns: funding retirement; educating children; protecting assets; and coping with unexpected changes in health, employment, and marital situations. But, whether your…
This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer Recently we have heard from a number of clients asking “Is it time?” Some are concerned about recent market events and are asking if it is time to switch to a more conservative investment approach. Others are cautiously optimistic about the…
This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer Miriam-Webster lists the origin of the word jitters as “unknown.” While the origin of jitters may be unknown, it is the unknown that will likely be creating jitters for short-term traders in the next few months. Today bond traders believe the Federal…
Life insurance has come a long way since the days when it was known as burial insurance and used mainly to pay for funeral expenses. Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans. You can use it to leave much-needed income to your survivors, provide for your children’s education, pay off your…
Homebuyers braving the hot U.S. housing market have run headlong into a striking transition. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage jumped from around 3.2% at the beginning of 2022 to 5.3% in mid-May, the highest level since 2009. This rise was sparked by the Federal Reserve’s commitment to raise the federal funds…
Women own nearly 20% of the businesses that employ people in the United States, and countless more women run their businesses without employees. There are over one million women-owned firms. They employ over 10 million people and generate nearly $1.8 trillion in revenue annually.1 If you are a female entrepreneur, you help create these stunning…
Nine of every 10 U.S. families with children have at least one working parent.1 Though working parents make up one of the largest demographic groups in the country, they face many challenges—from the cost of childcare to inconvenient scheduling issues. There are a few steps working parents may wish to take to smooth the path ahead,…
This Week’s Blogger: Scott D. Heins, CFP®, IAG Chief Investment Officer On Thursday evening the National Football League’s (NFL) 2022 season begins with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams hosting the Buffalo Bills. To make an NFL team’s roster requires significant personal commitment by the players. They must commit to keeping their…