Wealth Management
Merit Financial Advisors Partners with Pillar Wealth Management Co., Adding Two New Offices in Wisconsin
ATLANTA — [January 28, 2025] — Merit Financial Advisors (“Merit”), a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families, and those navigating life transitions, announced today it has acquired Pillar Wealth Management Co. (“Pillar”). This acquisition will expand Merit’s presence by establishing two new offices…
Read More2025 Investment Outlook: Navigating Inflation, AI, and Policy Shifts for Sustainable Growth
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer 2024 Recap: The Economy Has Landed Over the past two years, discussions around a potential U.S. recession or soft landing dominated economic outlooks. Now, as 2024 concludes, it is evident that the economy has achieved a soft landing. Government spending played a key role in supporting economic…
Read More2025 Market Outlook
In this 2025 Market Outlook, we explore how the U.S. economy achieved a soft landing in 2024 and discuss the key themes shaping the year ahead. From Federal Reserve policy shifts to the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the implications of a new administration, we delve into the factors impacting investment opportunities in 2025.…
Read MoreThree Rivers Bank of Montana Announces Strategic Alliance with Merit Financial Advisors to Launch Wealth Management Division
Kalispell, MT – January 6, 2025 – Three Rivers Bank of Montana is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Merit Financial Advisors, a nationally recognized wealth management firm, to expand its financial service offerings. This partnership will enable the bank to provide comprehensive wealth management services to clients in the Flathead Valley, helping individuals,…
Read MoreSanta Claus Is Coming
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer While the stock market has been rallying since October of 2023, the complexion of the rally continues to change. In particular, what worked post-election, has changed as we enter the Santa rally period between now and the end of December. Yesterday’s Fed announcement that they would cut…
Read MoreNovember 2024 Market Update
In this November market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, examines recent market trends and discusses their potential impact on your investment strategy as we move toward year-end and into 2024. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video both informative and insightful. For any questions, please reach out to your Merit financial advisor.…
Read MoreMarket Commentary: 50x All Time High!
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer Please join me in remembering our Veterans on this Veterans Day. At Merit we celebrate their contributions and especially appreciate their sacrifices. As we closed out election week, the S&P 500 Index price was almost at 6,000 and the DJIA almost 44,000. This was the 50th all-time-high…
Read MoreA Five-Part Framework for Amplifying Your Charitable Giving
By Mike Smalley, CFP®, Wealth Manager, Merit Financial Advisors Americans continue to be generous with their money, but could they be more strategic? According to the Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2023, total giving grew 1.9% to an estimated $557.16 billion for U.S. charities in 2023 from individuals, bequests,…
Read MoreSpecial Market Commentary – Now What?
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer While we are still waiting for the election outcome for the House of Representatives, we have a clear picture of who will be in the White House and in control of the Senate. Today’s market reaction is a continuation of the market’s pricing in a former President…
Read MoreWebinar Replay – 2024 Elections: Navigating Market Shifts and Economic Trends for Investors
As the 2024 U.S. elections draw near, their outcomes could significantly impact the markets, economy, and your investment strategies. In our recent live webinar, we explored how these elections could influence fiscal policies, regulatory landscapes, and market trends. Our seasoned panelists, Allison Boxer, Senior Vice President and Economist at PIMCO, and Brian Andrew, Chief Investment…
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