BMT - Banking, Wealth & Insurance

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held on June 15/16.  At this meeting, the FOMC revised its projections for the federal reserve target range from no rate hikes through 2023 to 50 basis points (0.50%).  The U.S. Treasury curve shifted higher immediately following the 2:00 statement to reflect the more hawkish tone.  Discussions regarding bond tapering formerly began but no changes were made.  Instead, during the post-meeting conference, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell simply said discussions will continue at upcoming meetings.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee held on March 16/17.  The quick takeaway, the Federal Reserve (Fed) is in no hurry to remove or alter its accommodative monetary policy this year.  The Fed continues to project the federal funds target rate will remain near 0.00% through 2023 based on the recently updated Summary of Economic Projections.  During the post-meeting conference, Fed Chairman Powell acknowledged the recent rise in bond yields but didn’t believe there was a need to alter the amount of monthly bond purchases.

BMT Chief Investment Officer Jeff Mills cuts through the noise and recent sub-plots in the financial markets to look at Big Tech and what may lie ahead for the Tech sector. In this podcast, Jeff discusses equity valuations, interest rates, inflation, and policy risks related to Tech, a piece of BMT’s overall 2021 Investment Outlook.Links:Big Tech: The Road to Underperformance - www.bmt.com/big-tech-the-road-to-underperformanceBMT's 2021 Economic and Investment Outlook - www.bmt.com/2021-economic-and-investment-outlook

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the first Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of 2021 that concluded on January 27. As expected, the Federal Reserve (Fed) left monetary policy unchanged but acknowledged recent economic weakness in the post-FOMC statement. Fed Chairman Powell played down the likelihood of removing current monetary policy accommodations in 2021 by simply stating the discussion was premature given the economic uncertainty related to the pandemic.

In a new Q&A format, Chief Investment Officer Jeff Mills and Director of Fixed Income Jim Barnes discuss the Federal Reserve banking system, starting with the basics and moving to more granular topics. What is the Federal Reserve system? What does the Fed do? What is the central bank? What is monetary policy? What is the Fed's dual mandate? Listen for these and more – like a deep dive into interest rates – in BMT Wealth Management's latest podcast.

In this podcast, BMT Director of Tax Services Jennifer Marshall offers a post-election tax discussion based on a Biden-Harris administration scenario. Jen does a deep dive into the various tax proposals mentioned during the campaign, at town hall sessions, and campaign rallies. How do the various proposals impact 2020 year-end tax planning? Listen to hear Jen's analysis.Links:BMT Year-End Tax Planning Guide (COMING SOON)BMT Wealth Management

BMT Chief Investment Officer Jeff Mills provides an overview of the private equity asset class. In this podcast, Jeff covers what private equity is and why some investors may want to consider it within a diversified portfolio. Listen as Jeff discusses why now might be a particularly interesting time to consider private equity, highlighting that the pandemic has created opportunities to invest in certain middle-market private companies.

This is an audio-only version of a recent BMT Perspective webcast on year-end tax planning. It was recorded live in September 2020. Learn from the experts on income tax and estate planning opportunities to consider in 2020, effective planning strategies for low-interest environments, and Trump vs. Biden tax proposals and how those may impact planning and much more.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on September 16th. At this meeting, the FOMC released an updated Summary of Economic Projections which projected the Fed will keep interest rates near zero through at least 2023. In the post FOMC press conference, Chairman Powell acknowledged the improving economy and the recent bounce in economic data but also reiterated the U.S. economy has a way to go before getting back to pre-COVID days.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on July 29. As expected, the Federal Reserve (Fed) left monetary policy unchanged but added within the FOMC statement that “The path of the economy will depend significantly on the course of the virus.” Chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged in the post-FOMC meeting press conference that recent economic data reflected a deceleration of growth but that more data will be needed to determine the overall strength of the current recovery.

In this podcast, BMT Wealth Management Chief Investment Officer Jeff Mills provides a high-level overview of topics covered in his mid-year Top 10 list that was published last week. Jeff lays out what he thinks are the most important topics for the second half of 2020, an already unprecedented year. This episode serves as an on-the-go primer before you dive into the full publication.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on June 10. Based on projections submitted by participants of the FOMC, the federal funds target range will remain between 0% and 0.25% until the end of 2022. Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated the need for accommodative monetary policy given the substantial increase in the unemployment rate and current economic contraction. He noted the many different stimulus tools the Fed has already implemented and suggested more is available if economic conditions warrant such action.

Elizabeth Wagner, Senior Vice President and Director of Institutional Wealth Management, discusses how to make charitable gifts during a time of global disruption and significant domestic need. She reminds you to start with the organizations you’ve supported for years, giving unrestricted where you can to help them through this difficult time, and to accelerate any charitable commitments or pledges you might have made if you can. Think about causes that most move you and organizations whose leadership you trust when making COVID-specific gifts. Lastly, note that Giving Tuesday has moved to May 5th, 2020, offering a bright spot for communities to pull together and help each other earlier in the year.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on April 29, 2020. Although there were no changes to monetary policy, the Federal Reserve was direct in noting the economic challenges that exist due to COVID-19. During the post meeting press conference, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell made clear that monetary policy will remain accommodative for as long as necessary until the virus is under control and the U.S. economy is on a robust and solid recovery.

In this podcast, BMT Wealth Management Chief Investment Officer Jeff Mills dives into market reactions to COVID-19 developments, particularly news of promising therapies. Jeff also discusses significant market advances seen over the past four weeks, and how certain sectors track – historically speaking – in terms of market lows.

In this podcast, BMT Wealth Management President Jennifer Dempsey Fox offers non-financial tips for managing through difficult situations and reflects on often-heard – and incredibly relevant – advice from other areas of our lives. Chief Investment Officer Jeff Mills provides sobering insight into a turbulent week in the markets, draws parallels to previous downturns, and examines the perils of trying find and time a market bottom.

In this podcast, BMT Wealth Management President Jennifer Dempsey Fox offers an update on BMT’s COVID-19 response, as well as some personal insights. Jen also recites a recent letter from CEO Frank Leto. Chief Investment Officer Jeff Mills provides a dose of reality in his commentary on the financial markets. He provides historical insights and data to help make sense of where we were, where we are, and the possibilities for the weeks and months ahead.

In this podcast, BMT Wealth Management President Jennifer Dempsey Fox provides comments regarding COVID-19 and our preparedness as a company, keeping our clients, employees, and communities at the heart of our decision making. Jeff Mills, Chief Investment Officer at BMT, provides insights into the rapidly changing financial markets and how BMT is thinking about the investment landscape.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on January 29th, the first meeting of the year. As expected, the Federal Reserve (Fed) left the federal funds target range unchanged at 1.50% – 1.75%. Overall, the Fed continues to have a favorable view of the U.S. economic outlook although uncertainty remains regarding trade and global growth. In the post FOMC press conference, the Fed Chairman responded to a number of questions regarding its growing balance sheet but stopped well short of describing it as Quantitative Easing.

Jeffrey Mills, Chief Investment Officer at BMT Wealth Management, discusses issues that are most likely to impact financial markets as we start the new year. Topics range from the U.S. Presidential Election to the most attractive areas of the stock market. Perhaps most critical is the view that a recession will not occur in 2020.Read the BMT 2020 Economic and Investment Outlook (full publication)

In her first solo podcast, BMT senior vice president and director of tax services Jennifer Marshall reports on updates provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2019 tax year. Jen discusses tax form updates, IRS-highlighted compliance audit programs, state and local tax credits, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on December 11, 2019, the last meeting of the year. After three consecutive meetings concluding with an interest rate cut, the Fed left the federal funds target range unchanged at 1.50% - 1.75%. The Fed is expected to remain on hold in 2020 based on the revised Summary of Economic Projections. Jim discusses the Fed’s current economic outlook as well as monetary policy in a low inflationary environment.

BMT Wealth Management President Jennifer Dempsey Fox and Jennifer Marshall, senior vice president and director of tax services at BMT, discuss the time-sensitive topic of Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds, created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This is a follow-up episode on a closely watched topic that, until recently, was in need of definitive IRS regulations.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on October 30, 2019. As expected, the federal funds target range was cut by 25 basis points – the third cut in as many FOMC meetings. Chairman Powell’s post-meeting comments indicated that the U.S. economy is in a good position while monetary policy remains somewhat accommodative. Jim also discusses the low inflationary environment and the unlikely scenario that the Federal Reserve resorts back to raising interest rates again in the near term.

BMT Wealth Management President Jennifer Dempsey Fox and Steve Klammer, senior vice president and director of wealth advisory services at BMT, sit down for a wide-ranging discussion on estate planning when facing a divorce. They broach such sensitive areas as planning for incapacity and death; updating of documents; beneficiary and fiduciary considerations; choosing your professional team; and potential impacts to retirement, insurance, and cash flow.

Amid a particularly complex global economic and political backdrop, Jeffrey Mills, Chief Investment Officer at BMT Wealth Management, tackles a number of the most pressing topics for investors. There is something for everyone in this podcast, as the discussion ranges from the practical considerations of how to invest new cash, to more complex topics like forecasting the next recession and the U.S. national debt.Read the Q3 2019 Market Insights report at bmt.com.

Jennifer Dempsey Fox, President of BMT Wealth Management, is joined by Elizabeth B. Wagner, BMT’s Director of Institutional Wealth Management, to discuss trends in philanthropic giving, especially the use of donor advised funds and private foundation vehicles. They discuss the differences between the two models as well as considerations – goals, timing, transfer of family values and other issues – when deciding to organize your giving.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on September 18. As expected, the federal funds target rate was cut by 25 basis points. Chairman Powell acknowledged in the post-FOMC meeting news conference that the underlying strength of the U.S. economy remained very favorable although trade policy uncertainty as well as weak economic growth trends overseas were potential risks to the Committee’s mostly positive outlook for the U.S. economy.

BMT Wealth Management President Jennifer Dempsey Fox sits down with Neil Orechiwsky, senior vice president and Managing Director of Capital Markets at Bryn Mawr Trust. Neil and Jen give a primer on interest rate swaps, a product used to mitigate risk and used often in conjunction with other banking products and services. Listen in as they discuss "swaps" in terms of rate hedging, risk management, foreign exchange risk management, credit portfolios, and more.

Jim Barnes, Senior Vice President and Director of Fixed Income at BMT Wealth Management, discusses the two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that concluded on July 31 as well as the post-FOMC meeting press conference held by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Jim highlighted the 25 basis point (0.25%) rate cut as well as the primary risks to continued U.S. economic growth.

Ernie Cecilia, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at BMT Wealth Management, provides commentary on the second quarter of 2019 and discusses must-watch metrics that may impact the quarter and year ahead. This thorough market summary includes information on a wide range of important topics including: Valuation of large cap and mega-cap tech stocks, bond yields and their impact on the equities markets, inflation data, GDP growth, and the probability of a Fed rate cut in the coming months.

BMT Wealth Management President Jennifer Fox sits down with Elizabeth Wagner, SVP and Director of Institutional Wealth Management at BMT for our latest episode. In this edition, they discuss a range of concepts focused on helping nonprofits plan for a sustainable “forever” future, including fiduciary responsibility, spending policies, annual payouts, board and investment committee composition, and the mechanics of fundraising. This thought-provoking podcast will be of interest to leaders in the nonprofit sector and anyone with philanthropic aspirations.