Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part One | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Matt Abels

03/21/2023

With the banking industry and markets continuing to be leading topics in the news, many investors are asking, “What is going on? Is this something to be worried about? Should I be taking action?” In this special edition of Financial Perspectives, Matt Abels and Michael Westphal provide context and insights to those questions. Tune in next week for part two, where we’ll be joined by Jim Plagge, President and CEO of Bank Iowa.

What Can You Expect in 2023? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

01/23/2023

As we head into 2023, the question we get most often is, "What's next for markets and what can we expect in our portfolios?" This week, Kent Kramer and Ryne Oller try to answer just that.

2022 In Review: What Did We Learn? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance

By Kent Kramer

01/13/2023

2022 was one of those years many would like to forget – but before we put it completely in the rear-view mirror, what are the lessons that we can take forward to help us in 2023?

Year-End Opportunities & Cautions | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Avoid Predictable Disappointments

By Kent Kramer

12/12/2022

It's that time of year – what's left on your list for 2022?  This week, Kent Kramer discusses three possible ways to save on taxes, one possible way to increase the return on your cash, and one cautionary tale as a reminder as we think about investing in 2023.

What Did You Expect? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

11/21/2022

"Everything good in life is just the gap between expectations and reality." - Morgan Housel. This week, Kent Kramer shares his thoughts on market history and setting expectations.

Poker Lessons. Expect to Be Surprised. | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

11/07/2022

Poker is great training ground for evaluating circumstances where you may have enough information to know the odds of success or failure, but not enough information to guarantee the outcome -- a lot like investing. This week, Kent Kramer looks at how understanding odds and probability can help make sense of elections and investment markets.

Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Financial Planning » Estate & Transfer Planning » Advanced Techniques

By Kent Kramer

10/24/2022

While this year has had its share of negative financial news, there might be one opportunity to pay some taxes now in order to save some money on taxes later. This week, Kent Kramer walks us through Roth IRA conversions.

Is ESG Investing Right for You? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

10/10/2022

What is ESG Investing and what could you expect over the long term?

Are Rising Rates a Blessing or a Curse? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

09/27/2022

With the Fed having aggressively raised their target rate all year long and bond markets, as well as stock markets, having tough years, are rising rates a blessing or a curse?

How Much Should I Have in Stocks? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

08/22/2022

Many people like the idea of higher expected returns that stocks may produce, but the higher return potential comes with more risk. This week, Kent Kramer walks us through a possible approach to understanding how much of your portfolio could be invested in stocks.

Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

08/08/2022

A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.

Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

08/08/2022

A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.

Stormy Markets | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Accept Uncertainty

By Matt Moklestad

07/11/2022

With the US stock market in bear market territory as we go into the second half of 2022, you might feel like we're in a bit of a storm. If you've been feeling under prepared, Matt Moklestad walks us through six considerations for times like these.

Stormy Markets | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Accept Uncertainty

By Matt Moklestad

07/11/2022

With the US stock market in bear market territory as we go into the second half of 2022, you might feel like we're in a bit of a storm. If you've been feeling under prepared, Matt Moklestad walks us through six considerations for times like these.

Roadtrips & Recessions | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

06/27/2022

The economy and markets are a bit like summer car travel/construction. There's a recession and/or a bear market in the rearview mirror, you're in one, or there is one right around the corner.

Roadtrips & Recessions | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

06/27/2022

The economy and markets are a bit like summer car travel/construction. There's a recession and/or a bear market in the rearview mirror, you're in one, or there is one right around the corner.

Optimistic Pessimists? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

06/13/2022

Sometimes being double minded is a problem. But could being optimistic and pessimistic at the same time be a good thing for an investor? Surprisingly, the answer may be yes!

Optimistic Pessimists? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

06/13/2022

Sometimes being double minded is a problem. But could being optimistic and pessimistic at the same time be a good thing for an investor? Surprisingly, the answer may be yes!

Making the Best of It | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Matt Moklestad

05/23/2022

It continues to be a volatile period for investors in stock and bond markets around the world. And while the news, like the weather, has seemed a little gloomy this spring, summer is around the corner and maybe it’s time to make the best of it! In today’s edition, Matt Moklestad, Lead Advisor – Institutional, discusses tax loss harvesting.

Knowing What Not To Do | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

05/09/2022

Stocks are down. Bonds are down. Inflation is up. There is a war in Europe. When nothing feels certain, what should investors do? One of the things we can do is pay attention to something else.

How Can Investors Benefit from Higher Rates? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Kent Kramer

04/25/2022

With inflation and interest rates rising, are there any silver linings for investors? One DIY US government bond investment you may not have heard about will soon be yielding over 9%. This week, Kent Kramer takes a look at I Bonds, what is happening in markets and the global economy, and what investors may want to know.