Financial Planning
What Now? Tariffs, Markets, and Volatility: What Investors Should Know
By Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer Friday, the 20th of February, the Supreme Court ruled that the tariff infrastructure put in place in 2025 using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) rules was invalid. Because the Court’s ruling only blocked this one method of levying tariffs, the tariff infrastructure in place will not…
Read MoreTax Preparation Checklist: Five Questions to Ask Before You File
By Joe Cilley, CFP® | Vice President of Financial Planning, Partner, Merit Financial Advisors Tax season naturally pulls us into the past. We look at last year’s income, expenses, and forms. But the most productive tax conversations don’t stop there. They use what just happened to shape what comes next. When I sit down with…
Read MorePlanning Beyond Tax Season: Key Considerations for 2026 and Your Long-Term Financial Strategy
By Steve Henderson, CPA, PFS, CFP®, CKA®, Regional Director, Partner, Merit Financial Advisors, and Director, SSC CPAS and Doug Morris, CFP®, Regional Director, Partner, Merit Financial Advisors Tax rules tend to change quite frequently, and while most people catch the big headlines, fewer stop to think about what those shifts mean for their own money.…
Read More2026 Market Outlook
By Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer After two strong years in financial markets, 2026 begins at a moment of meaningful transition. The economic environment remains constructive, but many forces that propelled returns in 2023 – 2025 are evolving. This year could potentially reward investors who stay balanced, disciplined, and focused on companies and asset…
Read More7 Financial Resolutions for High-Net-Worth Individuals in 2026
By Robyn Jameson, CFP®, CLTC, Managing Director, Partner, Wealth Manager Every January, I hear some version of the same question from clients: “What should we be doing differently with our finances this year?” Each year, my answer is the same. It’s not about chasing the next strategy or reacting to that day’s headline. It’s about…
Read MoreJanuary 2026 Market Update
By Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer The beginning of 2026 has already been interesting from a market perspective, resulting from the transformation happening in the stock and bond markets. Geopolitics have also played a role and we believe that will continue to be at the forefront of investors’ minds as the global order is…
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…
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