Wealth Management Insights

The Art of the Tariff (April 4, 2025). As we close the books on the first quarter of 2025, markets find themselves adjusting to a wave of policy-driven uncertainty—most notably, a broad and aggressive shift in U.S. tariff and trade policy. While economic data through March remained relatively stable, the early-April announcement of sweeping tariffs…

Tax-Efficient Investment Strategies for the 2025 Landscape In today’s complex financial environment, investing wisely isn’t just about selecting the right assets—it’s also about understanding how taxation affects your returns. As we navigate 2025, several key tax-efficient considerations and strategies can help investors maximize their after-tax returns while staying compliant with current regulations. How Tax Efficiency…

Managing a trust is about more than financial oversight—it’s about honoring the grantor’s intent, supporting beneficiaries, and ensuring that the trust document is being followed.  For trustees, this responsibility often comes alongside busy careers, family obligations, and other personal commitments. At Riverwater Partners, we understand the challenges trustees face and the importance of providing thoughtful…

Market Insights from 2024 As we close out another dynamic year in the financial markets, one theme that investors may have overlooked is the power of diversification. While U.S. equity markets dominated headlines with exceptionally strong back-to-back annual returns, a wide array of asset classes also contributed positively to portfolios. From the S&P 500 achieving…

Market Rally Amid Election Season Investors have plenty to cheer for as we enter the final stretches of election season. The S&P 500 has rallied 22.1% over the first nine months of the year, and the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index posted a tremendous third quarter rallying 5.2% to bring the year-to-date return back into…

Steady Through Uncertainty Market Review  Despite a looming election and divided government, market performance has been above average during the first nine months of 2024, with occasional volatility spikes around macroeconomic releases and Federal Reserve uncertainty. The mega-cap ‘Magnificent 7’ (NVIDIA, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Tesla, and Alphabet) primarily led the S&P 500, though their…

As the largest living adult generation, Millennials are not only reshaping industries but are also changing the way we invest. Born between 1981 and 1996, this generation is poised to inherit a significant portion of the $84 trillion wealth transfer from Baby Boomers and Generation X by 2045. Their investment preferences and values-driven approach are…

After the 4th of July, my family begins the dreaded countdown to the first day of school.  While it may be a bit early to begin panicking, it’s a good time to think about maximizing the time left between now and that eventual first day of school.  My daughter is not entering her first semester…

For Immediate Release. Riverwater Partners Welcomes New Director of Wealth Management (May 1, 2024). Riverwater Partners, a Milwaukee wealth management firm known for its client-centered approach and sustainable investment strategies, is excited to announce the appointment of Brian Gigl as its new Co-Director of Wealth Management and Investment Advisory Services. With a career spanning over…

By Jan Grimm, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor. As tax season approaches, it’s important to remember that you still have time to contribute to your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for the 2023 tax year. Here are considerations you should be aware of: 1. Contribution Limits For the 2023 tax year, the maximum contribution you can make…

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month By Laura Peck, COO October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and in today’s digital age, our financial lives are increasingly intertwined with the online world. While the convenience of online banking, shopping, and investment can’t be denied, it also exposes us to various online threats, including check fraud, wire scams and…

The Truth About Trying to Time the Stock Market Many investors convince themselves that they know the stock market is going to move one way or the other.  They have a “feeling” – a “hunch” – that drives their investment timing.  Here’s the deal:  the markets* are full of surprises and “feelings” have little to…

Working Part-Time in Retirement In today’s retiree landscape, many folks decide to phase into full retirement by working part-time.  It could be reducing the number of hours with your current employer, finding a “job of passion” or even becoming a consultant.  Before considering this transition, it’s smart to know about the financial and tax impact…

Tax Time Frequently Asked Questions This time of year, we are asked a lot of tax-related questions.  As we close out the 2021 tax year, here are answers to our four most “Frequently Asked Questions.”   Why am I paying capital gains taxes when I didn't sell anything this year? Where did these gains come…

Tips for Managing Sudden Wealth after Death Death of a loved one is always difficult. Sudden death is devastating and upending.  Many of us have either unfortunately experienced it or know someone who has been through it. The overwhelming emotional toll of loss is often magnified by the logistical wake of decisions and paperwork. Grieving…

  by Jan S. Grimm, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor The past couple of years has taught us that life’s uncertainties can happen quickly, and often before we have had a chance to plan for them. While the idea of an estate plan may seem daunting, it’s always better to have a plan in place. A…