Financial Planning
Protected: January 2026 Market Update
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Read MoreSix Ways a CDFA® Helps During Divorce Proceedings
By Hollis Hardiman, CDFA®, Wealth Manager, Partner, Merit Financial Advisors Divorce is a challenging and emotionally charged process, and it can be particularly difficult when it comes to unraveling the financial intricacies that often accompany the dissolution of a marriage. In such turbulent times, the expertise of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) can be…
Read MoreDecember 2025 Market Update
In our December market update, Merit Financial Advisors’ Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, reviews a choppier but resilient period for U.S. markets as 2025 comes to a close. Despite increased volatility, U.S. equities held near record highs, supported by broadening market leadership beyond mega-cap technology. Brian discusses the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut, the…
Read MoreDon’t Wait for January: Your Essential Year-End Retirement Planning Checklist
By: Bob Seibel, Wealth Manager, Merit Financial Advisors As the year winds down, most people focus on holiday shopping and parties. But for anyone nearing retirement — or already living it — this season isn’t just busy. It’s crucial. Year-end decisions can affect taxes, income, investment risk, and overall confidence for years to come. Older…
Read MoreSupporting Families Through Aging, End-of-Life, and After-Loss: Webinar Recap
A Care Coordination Solution for Merit Clients In our recent webinar, Kate Redden, CFP®, ChFC®, CKA®, Vice President of Client Experience and Wealth Manager at Merit, and Lauren Clough, CEO and Co-Founder of bQuest, introduced Merit’s new Care Coordination Program, powered by bQuest. Together, they highlighted the growing need for proactive aging and caregiving support…
Read MoreNovember 2025 Market Update
In this November market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, explains how markets managed modest gains over the past month despite mixed economic signals. Resilient consumer spending and a strong third-quarter earnings season, driven in part by standout results from Amazon and Microsoft, helped support equity performance. At the same time, uncertainty around interest…
Read MoreBreaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill: Key Tax Changes Every Investor Should Know
By Steven A. Henderson, CPA, PFS, CFP®, CKA®; Regional Director and Partner, and Jana Ramsey-Weaver, CPA, Wealth Manager at Merit Financial Advisors When Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) earlier this year, headlines focused on which tax provisions would last, and which would eventually sunset. Yet beyond the headlines, the real question is…
Read More8 Helpful Financial Planning Tips for a Great End of Year Review
Decisions are best made with a little time for reflection, good information, and advice from experienced professionals. These final weeks of the year are a perfect time to take stock of your financial plan and make adjustments as necessary before the rush of the holidays and tax-filing deadlines next year. Here are some year-end financial…
Read MoreOctober 2025 Market Update
In this October market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, discusses how U.S. equities extended their advance last month, with the S&P 500 up roughly 3% amid renewed investor confidence and resilient corporate earnings. Market breadth continued to improve, as gains broadened beyond mega-cap leaders to include industrials, utilities, and consumer sectors. While volatility…
Read MoreProtecting Your Retirement: Understanding the Cybersecurity Risks to Your Financial Future
Retirement should be a time of peace and enjoyment, a period to reap the rewards of decades of hard work. However, today’s digital age has introduced new challenges that can threaten individuals’ financial security. Cyber threats, particularly those targeting individuals close to or in retirement, are on the rise, with investment scams, phishing schemes aimed…
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