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  • 22 Feb 2021 by Emily Gorz

    Increase precautions when the temperature drops

    We’re always investigating the circumstances behind insurance claims to discover ways to make homes safer and more resilient. Our data* shows that water damage from ruptured pipes is significantly more extensive and disruptive when caused by freezing temperatures. Here’s what you can do to better protect your property:

     

    Temporary measures when your home is unoccupied

    • Set thermostat at a suggested 60 degrees, but no lower than 50 degrees.
    • Arrange for a daily check that includes a walk-through and turning the water on in several locations. Make sure whoever checks on your home knows the location of the main water shut off valve.
    • Maintain good air circulation and heat flow in the home by opening interior doors, kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.
    • Turn off and winterize exterior faucets and irrigation systems.
    • Consult a plumber to fully winterize the home and potentially drain the water when there will be long periods of no occupancy.

     

    Permanent measures to avoid the potential for frozen pipes

    • Work with your alarm company to install centrally monitored low temperature sensors throughout the home as part of your overall home security protection. At a minimum, place sensors in these locations:
      • In each heating zone adjacent to an exterior wall
      • On each level, including any heated or unheated attic areas that contain water lines
    • Install a whole house, leak-activated, automatic water shutoff system designed to stop water flow when a leak occurs. AIG Private Client Group policyholders can consult the experts at Water Security Solutions to help them choose the right system for the home and receive installation support. Some devices can also detect a freezing hazard before damage occurs!
    • Seal and caulk all exterior cracks and openings, no matter how small, to prevent cold air infiltration.
    • Insulate water pipes in unheated or under heated areas, such as attics, crawl spaces and garages. Add low temperature sensors to these areas for added protection.
    • Consult your contractor to safely protect crawl spaces with water pipes from cold air infiltration. Possible remedies may include insulating crawl space vents and providing thermostatically controlled minimal heat.

     

    What to do if you discover a freeze

    If you turn on a faucet but no water comes out (indicating a possible frozen pipe), or you discover freeze-related water damage, take the following steps immediately to minimize the impact:

    • Locate the main water shut-off valve and close it.
    • Contact a plumber for an emergency visit to complete repairs and conduct a full inspection of the plumbing.
    • Drain water safely from the rest of the system by opening faucets.
    • Never try and thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame; it is a fire hazard and can damage the pipe.
    • Do not walk into standing water that may have submerged electrical outlets or connections.
    • Do not use any electrical device or outlet that may have gotten wet.
    • Call an emergency service restoration company to facilitate damage repairs and start the dry-out process.
    • Move undamaged items away from the affected area.
    • Contact your independent insurance advisor or, in the event of an emergency, call AIG Private Client Group’s 24/7 claims hotline: 888  760  9195.

     

    For more information, please contact your independent insurance advisor or visit www.aig.com/pcg.
    *Based on a review of AIG Private Client Group homeowners claims pertaining to residential water damage in the U.S.

  • 22 Jun 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    Watch this webinar recording from June 19th when David Lincoln (Partner, WISE Gateway) spoke with Michael Kossman (COO and CCO, Aspiriant) and Drew McMorrow (President and CEO, Ballentine Partners) on the myriad considerations involved in bringing employees back to the office.

    View full screen here

       

    Thank you to our sponsor...

    With more than three decades of serving ultra-wealthy families and advisors, Schwab Advisor Services™ has the deep experience and extensive resources needed for today’s single- and multi-family offices. As an industry leader, we combine experts who deliver high-touch service with modern technology. It’s why 288 single- and multi-family offices custody with Schwab and why we are entrusted with $378 billion in ultra-high-net-worth household assets.

    Our mission at Schwab Advisor Family Office is to be the most trusted partner to advisors and family office professionals serving the ultra-wealthy community. Our dedicated team of experts is highly specialized in providing what  is most critical to the modern family office. We offer subject matter expertise, curated thought leadership, and bespoke events to fuel the success and ensure the sustainability of the family office firms we serve.

     Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC . 

    Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

    This is a sponsored feature developed by Family Wealth Alliance and supported by Charles Schwab.

    Family Wealth Alliance is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

    Family Wealth Alliance will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

    ©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). All rights reserved. Member SIPC .

     

  • 12 Jun 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    Firms have their work cut out for them navigating when and how to bring employees back to the office – especially firms with offices in multiple regions of the country. In this webinar, Tom Livergood, CEO of The Family Wealth Alliance, and Harry O’Mealia, CEO of 1919 Investment Council, discuss how advisors feel about getting back to work and the difficult decisions ahead of firm leadership.

    View full screen here 

     

  • 05 Jun 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    View full screen video here.

      

    As COVID-19 continues to spread, the economic damage is mounting. Watch our webinar from June 5th, 2020 with the CIOs of Cresset and Pitcairn on the pandemic’s economic impact, recent policies, and the recovery timeline.

    Rick Pitcairn, Chief Investment Officer of Pitcairn and Jack Ablin, Chief Investment Officer and Founding Partner of Cresset share their insights on the U.S. economy, including:

    • Expansion of US manufacturing to take control of critical and strategic products
    • Solutions for ballooning pension deficits
    • Reducing portfolio risks
    • Investment opportunities and challenges
     

    Thank you to our sponsor....

    Sower Farmland is a team of experts at finding and managing portfolios of one of the oldest most durable assets. US row crop farmland is a safe haven asset, extremely resilient and with a very long history of producing attractive appreciation and steady income. The Sower team of seasoned professionals serve clients in a diversified fund or separately managed accounts.

    View their Alliance Talks segment here

     

  • 29 May 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

     

    Watch full screen here

        

    Dr. Joel Brill discusses the current status of COVID-19 testing, treatment, and containment. Joel explains how to identify FDA-authorized COVID-19 antibody tests and shares insights on the current state of diagnostics, antibody testing, and vaccine development.

    Sponsored by...

    Syntax takes the world's most widely used benchmarks and reweights them to diversify business risks. Instead of concentrating in the largest companies and the most popular sectors, we provide investors with a more balanced exposure across all available business opportunities. www.syntaxadvisors.com/

    Be sure to check out their featured Alliance Talks segment here on helping family offices make better investment decisions.

  • 15 May 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    Like all industries, the family office community has been forced to pivot to exclusively virtual client service in just two months. What impact is this having on the high-touch client experience firms have worked so hard to perfect? In this on-demand webinar, we revisit the crowd-favorite Client Experience panel from our 2020 Alliance Summit in light of the recent crisis. Hear Matter Family Office and Brown Advisory discuss how family offices can maintain and enhance their client experience in this new virtual normal.

    Speakers
    - Kathy Lintz, Partner and Managing Member, Matter Family Office
    - Dune Thorne, Head of Client Experience, Brown Advisory
    - Moderated by Brian Hughes, President & Founder, Hughes Growth Strategies, Co-Founder, Touchpoint Growth Strategies

     View full screen here

  • 08 May 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    Depressed prices, lower interest rates, and an election year: these economic shake-ups are creating unique wealth transfer opportunities for advisors and their clients. Listen to this on-demand webinar to hear experts from Day Pitney, Mazars, and BNY Mellon Wealth Management discuss adaptive solutions for private clients.  

    The discussion includes strategies on:

    • Estate and wealth transfer planning
    • Depressed valuations
    • Low interest rates
    • Scenario planning depending upon election results
    • What should be done now vs. post-election
     
    Panelist include:
    • Richard Bloom, Partner, Estate & Tax Planning, Mazars USA
    • Jere Doyle, Senior Vice President & Estate Planning Strategist, BNY Mellon Wealth Management
    • Amy Lonergan, Partner, Estate & Tax Planning, Day Pitney
    • Moderated by Jeff Carson, Senior Vice President, Diversified Trust

    View full screen video here

  • 06 May 2020 by Adam Rudiger

    We believe that ongoing market uncertainty and accommodative monetary policy may support gold investment demand.

    Gold is, in our view, a distinct asset class and a core risk management tool. An allocation to gold shouldn’t reflect a tactical reaction to market volatility spikes. We view gold as a strategic, long-term hold. We believe its unique investment properties may make gold a critical component of a well-balanced investment portfolio, in high times and low.

    Read the full article by Aberdeen Standard Investments here

  • 01 May 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    You can view full screen here.

     

    Busy households and properties can be difficult to manage without a national crisis, but the easy transfer of infection with Covid-19 combined with the need for daily service staff and property vendors can be highly emotional and exhausting for many homeowners. 

    Watch this webinar with Teresa Leigh on how to identify and mitigate risk and liability regarding domestic staff and property vendors. She covers actionable steps for advisors to protect families by:

    • Lowering risk of infection in the home
    • Oversight of staff in vacant properties
    • To staff or not to staff
    • Variables of staff compensation vs. risk
    • Labor law concerns
    • Navigating through vendor contracts virtually
    • Client retention concerns post-pandemic

  • 24 Apr 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

      

     

    Shifting domestic and international political forces. Accelerating market volatility. The human and economic toll of COVID-19. In the midst of increasing uncertainty, it’s difficult to assess potential impacts and maintain peace of mind – a situation unsettling for advisors and their clients.

    Listen to a discussion on near-term prospects for the global economy and the potential impact of current events on client expectations and the family wealth industry. (Recorded 4/24/2020) 

    This event is sponsored by Schwab Advisor Family Office  

    With more than three decades of serving ultra-wealthy families and advisors, Schwab Advisor Services™ has the deep experience and extensive resources needed for today’s single- and multi-family offices. As an industry leader, we combine experts who deliver high-touch service with modern technology. It’s why 288 single- and multi-family offices custody with Schwab and why we are entrusted with $378 billion in ultra-high-net-worth household assets.

    Our mission at Schwab Advisor Family Office is to be the most trusted partner to advisors and family office professionals serving the ultra-wealthy community. Our dedicated team of experts is highly specialized in providing what is most critical to the modern family office. We offer subject matter expertise, curated thought leadership, and bespoke events to fuel the success and ensure the sustainability of the family office firms we serve.

    Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC .

    Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

    This is a sponsored feature developed by Family Wealth Alliance and supported by Charles Schwab.

    Family Wealth Alliance is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

    Family Wealth Alliance will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

    ©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). All rights reserved. Member SIPC .

    (0420-0H02) (04/20)

  • 17 Apr 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    Watch this on-demand webinar with Dan Rahill, Wintrust Wealth Services, who addresses key provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Dan provides a high-level overview of the provisions most relevant to family offices contained in the Act, including:
    -    employee retention tax credits,
    -    payroll tax deferral
    -    retirement accounts, 
    -    tax changes, and
    -    small business loans or benefits.

  • 10 Apr 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    More than half of advisors we’ve surveyed have reported struggling to calm clients during this crisis. When faced with stressful situations, some clients will act irrationally. Listen to this recorded webinar with experts from DNA Behavior discuss different client behavioral styles and how you can handle each one. Walk away from this session with a cheat sheet on how to identify potential reactions, navigate concerns, and mitigate stress.

  • 03 Apr 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    Due to the urgency of this topic, we are making this webinar recording complimentary to non-members and your private clients.

    Dr. Sidfrord provided an update on COVID-19 and answered more of your questions related to the virus. In this 60-minute webinar, Christopher provided an overview of COVID-19 and answered attendee questions, including but not limited to:
    •    Updated status of the virus
    •    Expectations for the coming days, weeks, and months in the U.S.
    •    How to continue to protect yourself, clients, and families during prolonged quarantine 

    Christopher is the Founder, CEO and Medical Director of Black Bag: Emergency Global Medicine, a private emergency medical consultancy for individuals, families, and corporate executives who travel the globe.

  • The COVID-19 crisis presents unique and complex challenges for wealthy families and family offices. With multiple assets across the country – or across the world – and family offices now working remotely, it’s critical to know the immediate response actions necessary to protect people, assets and interests. 

    On March 27th we spoke with Steve Bova, physical and cyber security expert and Vice President, Private Client and Family Office Services at Hillard Heintze. Steve provided insight and answers to the questions top-of-mind for families and family offices during this uncertain time:
    •    Addressing cyber risks and strengthening cyber security related to remote office environments 
    •    Best practices for spotting and preventing cyber-attacks that seek to exploit the pandemic mindset
    •    Identifying and mitigating the major security risks that are heightened during the crisis
    •    Developing and implementing emergency response plans and disaster recovery actions
    •    Safeguarding residences and readying the family for physical relocation procedures

    Watch recording here.

  • 20 Mar 2020 by Brooke Morimoto

    Due to the urgency of this topic, we are making the recording of this webinar complimentary to non-members and your private clients.

    Are you fielding calls from worried clients asking questions about COVID-19 you aren’t sure how to answer? Please watch the recorded webinar from March 20th, 2020 of the live Q&A with Christopher Sidford, MD of Black Bag: Global Emergency Medicine. 

    In this 60-minute live webinar, Chris provided an overview of COVID-19 and responded to attendee questions, including but not limited to:
    •    Myths vs. facts
    •    Expectations for the coming days, weeks, and months in the U.S.
    •    How to prepare for prolonged quarantine 

    Christopher is the Founder, CEO and Medical Director of Black Bag: Emergency Global Medicine, a private emergency medical consultancy for individuals, families, and corporate executives who travel the globe. 

    Watch recording here.

     

  • The High Cost of Turnover

    Sophia was not surprised when her devoted housekeeper of 18 years wanted to leave her employment to care for her elderly mother. Given Sophia’s experience managing two residences and a vacation home while raising three children, she did not stress about replacing the housekeeper.

    Eight months later, Sophia had spent in excess of $100,000.00 on salaries and agency fees employing three dishonest housekeepers. Additionally, she had the responsibility of paying for two “injured” employees, her severely damaged Lexus, and damages to a motorcyclist struck by an intoxicated housekeeper. The police had been called to Sophia‘s home twice by a hysterical housekeeper screaming to be paid. Sophia’s expensive clothing, shoes, and handbags were missing.

    How could a woman who had employed a wonderful housekeeper for so many years exercise such poor judgment when hiring new employees?

    Read the Sophia's full story here and check out the fact sheet here to understand how the consequences of household staff turnover can add up quickly.

  • A Perfect Pair: Donor-Advised Funds and Private Foundations

    Private foundations and donor-advised funds (DAFs) are among the most popular ways to give, accounting for nearly 30% of all annual charitable contributions. Conventional wisdom says that based on the advantages of each vehicle, they appeal to different donors. For instance, private foundations, owing to their high degree of control and flexibility, are typically associated with larger-scale gifts, while donor-advised funds are thought to be better suited for smaller donors due to their relatively low costs and simple set-up.

    In reality, this is not a case of "either/or." Grant-making private foundation trustees can utilize DAFs in several ways to maximize flexibility and philanthropic bandwidth. That’s why private foundation trustees need to understand how DAFs work—and how they can work for foundations.

     

    Read the full article here to explore some of the most common situations where a private foundation may turn to a complementary DAF.

  • Top 5 Risks When Hiring Household and Property Employees 

     

    Candidates with problematic work histories or a variety of mental disorders are often drawn to domestic employment due to inadequate vetting policies and workplace isolation. Hiring household and property employees can be a stressful and time consuming event. Be aware of these risks when interviewing, vetting, and ultimately hiring candidates:

    1. Absence of Hiring Policies
    Have a well-developed hiring policy for each property, including job postings that are EEOC compliant, written job descriptions detailing the requirements of the job, and benefit offerings.

    2. Overconfidence in Interviewing Skills
    Successful individuals tend to overestimate their ability to evaluate candidates and their references. 

    For tips 3-5, and to read the full article, click here.

  • Family Wealth Security Risks

    Solutions for Families, Family Offices and Family Enterprises

    Families of wealth and business-owning families face security risks in their everyday lives. Many report that privacy and security of personal and financial data is a concern,
    yet few report confidence that these risks have been mitigated. Family wealth and activities (business, personal and online) expose families to targeted criminal activity. Multiple family members, households and generations increase the complexity and risk to the family’s security and reputation.

    THE THREAT IS GROWING

    In the Second Annual Security Study of 55 family wealth firms*, The Family Wealth Alliance found that 73% reported the frequency of security threat incidents have
    increased over the prior year. Those surveyed reported that in the last year or so at least one client household was victimized.

    Top five household attempts reported:

    1. Credit card fraud attempts were reported by nearly half of the respondents, with over 50% of incidents being carried out.
    2. Wire transfer fraud is highest in failed attempts, and fifth in those carried out.
    3. Identity theft failed attempts exceed carried out incidents (tied for third highest).
    4. Tax return fraud failed attempts exceed carried out incidents (second highest).
    5. Cyber fraud/extortion failed attempts were three times greater than those carried out.

    Read the full report here. 

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    There is a saying in the financial management industry: “If you’ve seen one family office, you’ve seen one family office.” No two are alike. The services that a family office provides are both extensive and highly customized. Rarely do clients hear the word “no,” because each office reflects the individuals it serves. To be responsive to their clients, family offices need a customized technology solution that meets their specific requirements—enabling them to combine personalized service with efficiency and scalability.

    CHALLENGES CONFRONTING FAMILY OFFICES

    While family offices vary, they face common challenges. For example, many family offices are looking for ways to do their work faster, better, and more efficiently—and
    improved technology is often the answer. Integrated technology has become much more important for addressing issues such as:

    • Systems that do not communicate with each other
    • Information that must be manually rekeyed into multiple systems and spreadsheets
    • Extensive reconciliation required to arrive at a single source of the truth


    Read the full article  here

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