Finally, 2022 is here! For many, the ushering in of a new year brings with it an opportunity for reflection. As 2021 comes to a close, we look back on a year of continued uncertainty, pandemic-induced economic and social challenges, and changes in the financial landscape. LIBOR has officially sunset, taking its place in history, while inflation remains a constant topic in the news.
As a go-to resource for insights on a variety of financial, economic and wealth topics, Regions Private Wealth Management’s Insights magazine tackles these topics and more in its Winter 2022 issue, available now.
An electronic version was emailed to Private Wealth Management clients on Jan. 10, with hard copies arriving to clients the week of Jan. 17.
“Throughout the past 22 months, I have continued to remind myself, my family and my colleagues to remain focused on the things we can control,” said Leslie Carter-Prall, head of Private Wealth Management. “As the world faces the long tail of the pandemic and the uncertainty it continues to bring, this issue of Insights aims to help our clients focus on the things within their control to help guide them for the year ahead.”
Check out a preview of the insights in this latest issue below or read the full issue.
2022 is Here, What’s Your Plan?
For many investors, 2021 was a year of paradox. “The market has been extremely resilient in light of a multitude of risks,” said Wil Dedmon, Investment Research analyst for Regions Asset Management. Amid higher inflation, rising international tensions and a surge of new COVID-19 cases related to variants, “many people are wondering when the next shoe is going to drop,” he added.
Hedging Against Inflation
Maintaining the value of an investment portfolio in the face of inflation — and the decreased buying power of the dollar — is a challenge, said Brandon Thurber, Chief Market Strategist at Regions. Fortunately, strategic investments can help.
“Investors have a number of assets or asset classes at their disposal to hedge or insulate portfolios from the negative impacts stemming from inflation,” Thurber added. “But all ‘hedges’ aren’t created equally, and selectivity matters.” One material sector that offers a reliably flexible hedge is timber, said Frank Walburn, head of Natural Resources and Real Estate Management at Regions. “Historically, timber performs well in inflationary times because tree growth continues regardless of economic conditions.
The LIBOR Transition: What You Need to Know
The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) has long served as a benchmark rate index. “It’s referenced in everything from adjustable-rate mortgages to commercial bilaterals and hedging instruments,” said Irina Pritchett, Risk Initiative Management and Integration Manager at Regions. You may have items in your portfolio that are tied to LIBOR — this article has insights on what you’ll need to know about the transition.
You can also hear more about the LIBOR Transition via the Regions LIBOR Transition podcast series.
4 Essential Charts About Bitcoin
Over the past decade, Bitcoin has taken the financial world by storm. Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are decentralized, allowing for transactions without the oversight of governments and banks. Beyond its use as a currency, investors have started flocking to Bitcoin as an asset. “It’s easy to see why, as it has been on an impressive trajectory since 2012,” said Michael Moorefield, Asset Management Strategy Analyst at Regions Bank. That includes a market capitalization of more than $840 billion and 62% growth this year alone.
How to Safely Aggregate Your Accounts Via Apps
Apps that allow you to aggregate financial information might seem like a no-brainer. But there are privacy concerns you should be aware of when you use any type of third-party app to manage your money. Included in this article are some best practices to consider to help keep your financial information secure.
Should You Diversify With Investor Real Estate?
Frank Caley Jr., a Lending advisor for Regions Private Wealth Management in Birmingham, Alabama, has worked with many clients interested in incorporating real estate into their portfolios as a hedge against inflation — specifically helping them decide how to fund such investments and evaluating how they fit into clients’ overall portfolios. One big potential benefit is diversification, because investor real estate generally does not correlate closely with the stock market.
Getting Started with ESG Investing
While environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has gained popularity it takes some time to familiarize yourself with the landscape, like any type of investing. “ESG and sustainable investing are still in their infancy,” said Wil Dedmon, Investment Research analyst for Regions Asset Management. This column contains three ways to get started.
Apples to Apples
As the third-generation owner of Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, New York, Brian Nicholson laughs when he recounts the vow he made in college: He would never work in the family business.
Today, Nicholson sits at the helm of the company his grandparents founded in 1958. Read about how a company’s evolution from a family orchard to a large juice manufacturing operation can teach us about keeping a company — and a legacy — in the family.
Managing Finances in the Wake of a Loss
For Americans mourning loved ones lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, these are difficult days. Unfortunately, dealing with the emotional pain of losing a family member is often compounded by having to make financial decisions related to the loss. Give yourself time to grieve before making any key financial decisions. Don’t feel pressured and remember to lean on the people you trust. Connie A. Rogers, Private Wealth Management leader at Regions in Dallas, Texas, shares her insights to help navigate the path forward.
Giving as a Family
If you want future generations to carry on your love of philanthropy, how do you plan to pass on that vision? “Family giving makes your children see more of what’s going on in the world, outside of their own world,” said Carla B. Gale, Trust advisor at Regions Private Wealth Management. “Learning about people in need and groups trying to help them can sometimes make your children more caring and empathetic.”
For regular insights from the financial professionals at Regions, check out the Weekly Markets Update calls with Chief Economist Richard Moody, Chief Investment Officer Alan McKnight, and Chief Market Strategist Brandon Thurber held on Fridays at 11 a.m. Central Time. To access the 2022 calendar and dial-in information:
Weekly Markets Update Call.