Government Bailout and Stimulus Memo, Investment Strategy Group, March 2009
As the government bailout grows in size and shape, there are a variety of potential risks. The risks generally depend on one’s perspective. From the perspective of the financial sector, the most talked about risk has been that of increased regulation and oversight, and the dangers associated with allowing the government to take a larger role in the markets...

Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility Memo, Investment Strategy Group, March 11, 2009
The Fed’s announcement of a $200 billion (potential to grow to $1 Trillion) loan program meant to jumpstart the asset backed securities market has piqued the curiosity of investors. Many view this non-recourse loan program as a tremendous opportunity to produce outsized investment returns with limited downside risk...

Impact of President-Elect Obama’s Proposed Policies, Investment Strategy Group, Nov. 11, 2008
After two years of political back and forth we now know who will be running the show for the next four years and have some expectations as to how President-elect Barack Obama will impact the future of wealth management (or at least the next four years!). In the very near term, we can expect a balancing act between nursing the faltering...

Market Reaction to Failed Financial Bailout Plan, Investment Strategy Group, September 2008
{Failure of the Financial Bailout Plan} On Monday, September 29th, stock markets tumbled as the House rejected a financial bailout package that for the past week has dominated trading. The bailout bill, which was crafted over the weekend by the current administration and senior Congressional leaders, called for $250 billion upfront to be...