The Importance of Asset Allocation in Your Financial Plan
At Heartland Trust Company, we know that one of the most important decisions you make as an investor is how to divide your money among several types of investments. This is called asset allocation. It simply means choosing how much of your portfolio should be in stocks, bonds, cash, or other investments. Getting this balance […]
Why Your 401(k) Menu Isn’t Endless: The Fiduciary’s Role
Ever wonder why your 401(k) offers a limited selection of investment funds compared to the vast universe of options out there? It’s not because your employer is trying to limit your choices; it’s because they’re acting as a fiduciary, and that comes with serious legal and regulatory responsibilities. What Does “Fiduciary” Mean for Your 401(k)? […]
Understanding Investment Indexes: A Guide to Market Benchmarks
Every day in my office, the television is tuned into Bloomberg, broadcasting the latest financial news. Alongside the news is a rolling column of acronyms, flanked by red or green numbers, changing every twelve seconds. S&P 500, DOW, NASDAQ, RUSS 2K, TSX, FTSE, MSCI EAFE, STOXX 50, NIFTY 50. There is no shortage of these jumbles […]
35 Years – Looking Back and Looking Forward
Thirty-Five Years – a major chunk of time,and a major chunk of changes. As the song says, 1990 “was a very good year” – the origin of Heartland Trust Company!! Heartland Trust Company started with 800 square feet of office space at 700 Main Ave, moved to South 8th St. with 1,660 square feet, and […]
Tune-Up Your 401(k)
A Simple Six-Step Checkup for Your Retirement Plan Is your 401(k) plan acting up when the market gets rough? Are you saving enough? Is your investment strategy working well? Doing a yearly checkup on your 401(k) can help you stay on track for retirement. Here’s a quick six-step checkup you can do in just a […]
The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same
BY JON BENSON, VP & DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT With the Trump administration back in the White House and Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, it is likely the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 will continue beyond its scheduled end in 2026 and into the foreseeable future. This act brought significant […]
With Gratitude
The holiday season is a special time for reflection and thankfulness. Recently I’ve adopted the phrase “With Gratitude” to close my email, expressing appreciation for even the smallest gestures, like a prompt response. But our gratitude extends far beyond that. At Heartland Trust Company, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our clients, partners, […]
Understanding Capital Gains and Losses
Investing in assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate can be a great way to build wealth. However, it’s essential to understand the concepts of capital gains and capital losses, as they play a crucial role in your investment strategy and tax planning. What are capital gains? Capital gains occur when you sell an asset […]
Transferring Wealth
Transferring wealth can mean different things to different individuals and families. No matter the situation, everyone has to jump over the same hurdles of 1) the pressures it puts on families, 2) the actual transferring of assets, and 3) the unintentional outcomes that could arise. Sometimes plans get put into motion unexpectedly which presents its […]
Fall is the Time to Plan for Year-End Giving
Fall is a perfect time to tidy up – and this also applies to making your final plans for 2024 gifts to charity! Please contact us soon regarding any charitable gifts you wish to make before year end, as Fidelity and other asset managers have early December deadlines to guarantee 2024 charitable contributions and asset […]
