Why We Diversify At a recent portfolio review, a client asked a question we hear in different forms all the time: “If the S&P 500 keeps dominating, why should I bother diversifying?” It’s a fair question. After over fifteen years in which U.S. mega-cap stocks drove most of the market’s returns, diversification can feel unnecessary—even…
Stewardship in Action: Bridging the Gap Between Faith and Investing At Riverwater Partners, we understand that faith-based investors are balancing two critical principles of stewardship. There is the financial stewardship required to preserve and grow assets to serve your needs, and there is the social and environmental stewardship required to ensure those returns aren’t earned…
Riverwater Partners Achieves Green Master Status: Leading the Way in Sustainable Business Practices We’re thrilled to announce that Riverwater Partners has been certified as a Green Master by the Sustainable Business Council’s Green Masters Program® – achieving the highest possible recognition in this prestigious sustainability certification framework. “This achievement represents more than just an award;…
Beyond the Basics: The Unmatched Power of Triple-Tax Exemption The HSA stands alone in the Internal Revenue Code. It is the only account that offers a true triple-tax advantage: Tax-Deductible Contributions: Contributions reduce your current-year adjusted gross income (AGI). Tax-Free Growth: All investment growth—dividends, interest, and capital gains—compounds entirely free from tax. Tax-Free Withdrawals: Distributions…
Navigating Politics, Policy & Portfolios (October 15, 2025). As we close another quarter, we wanted to share our perspective on the markets, the economy, and most importantly, how we’re positioning portfolios to thrive in the months ahead. Politics vs. Policy: What Actually Matters for Long-Term Investors The recent government shutdown reminds us that Washington doesn’t…
US Consumers and Valuation Gaps: Can the US Consumer Keep Carrying the Market? (July 15, 2025). The second quarter reminded us why staying grounded matters in investing. While markets celebrated new highs—with the S&P 500 breaking through 6,200—the foundations supporting this rally deserve closer examination. The quarter’s volatility, from April’s sharp selloff on tariff fears…
How Trustees Can Fulfill Their Duty of Care While Protecting Themselves Being named a trustee is an honor—but it also places you in a complex role, especially if you are not experienced in this area. As a trustee, you are responsible for stewarding someone’s financial legacy while balancing family dynamics, legal obligations, and investment decisions.…
At Riverwater Partners, we believe that smart investments can drive meaningful change—not just in the world, but in the lives of our clients. To bring that philosophy to life, we sat down with Brian Gigl, Director of Wealth Management, to hear about his journey, his approach to financial advising, and his perspective on guiding families…
When a friend or family member names you as trustee, it feels like an honor—a profound sign of trust and respect. But along with that honor comes something they rarely mention upfront: the keys to somebody’s financial legacy, a 100-page legal document written in dense legalese, anxious beneficiaries with competing needs, and the constant shadow…
Creating Value Through Responsible Investing At Riverwater Partners, our mission is to make the world a better place by growing wealth through responsible investing. We’re proud to share our 2024 Sustainability Report, titled “Creating Value,” which demonstrates how we generate positive impact for our clients, employees, communities, and planet. Highlights of this year’s report include…
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…
We are excited to announce that the Riverwater Small Cap Strategy has been featured in Emerging Manager Monthly. This recognition comes as part of a significant achievement: Maryland State Retirement and Pension System has included us in their $265.5 million domestic small-cap equity portfolio, with Riverwater Partners receiving a $61.5 million allocation. Acuitas Investments manages…
At Riverwater Partners, we’re proud to announce our recent recertification as a Certified B Corp! This achievement marks another chapter in our mission to make the world a better place by growing wealth through sustainable investing. A Shared Vision for a Better World Riverwater became Milwaukee’s first registered B Corporation in 2018, and since then,…
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…
This quarter, we are honored to present a special reflection letter penned by Greg Wait, as he marks his retirement after a distinguished investing career. His unwavering commitment to our clients and his passion for responsible investment have left a mark on our firm and the broader investment community. As Greg shares some of the…
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…
[MILWAUKEE, WI (Nov, 2023)] – Riverwater Partners Attains Maturing Status The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council has recognized Riverwater Partners (“Riverwater”) at the Maturing level within its Green Masters Program®. Recognizing Wisconsin businesses that are prioritizing sustainability, the Green Masters Program® categorizes participants into four status levels that reflect the degree to which sustainability has been…
Cindy Bohlen Named Sustainable Leadership Champion Finalist for Wisconsin Sustainable Business Awards . Milwaukee (October 5, 2023). Riverwater Partners congratulates our Director of Responsible Investing and Chief Mindfulness Officer Cindy Bohlen for being named a finalist for the 2023 Sustainable Business Award from the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council (WSBC). Cindy has been named a Sustainable…
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…
For Immediate Release. Riverwater Partners Appoints Tito Pombra as Chief Compliance Officer Milwaukee (October 3, 2023). Riverwater Partners, a Milwaukee-based investment advisory firm dedicated to responsible investing, announced it has appointed Tito Pombra as its Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). Pombra, who is the founder and president of Adviser Compliance Consulting (ACC), brings extensive experience in…
Cindy Bohlen Named Notable Leader in Sustainability by BizTimes. Milwaukee (September, 13 2023). Riverwater Partners congratulates our Director of Responsible Investing and Chief Mindfulness Officer Cindy Bohlen for being named to the inaugural BizTimes Media Notable Leaders in Sustainability list. Cindy Bohlen is the driving force for sustainability and responsibility at Riverwater Partners, leading our…
For Immediate Release. Quarterly PSN Top Guns List published by Zephyr identifies best-in-class separate accounts, managed accounts, and managed ETF strategies Milwaukee (May 23, 2023). Riverwater Partners has been named to the celebrated PSN Top Guns List of best performing separate accounts, managed accounts, and managed ETF strategies for Q1 2023. Riverwater’s Sustainable Value Strategy…
Listen, as Riverwater’s head of Investment Advisory, Greg Wait, shares his perspectives on ESG (responsible investing) and data for positive social and environmental impacts and competitive returns on the podcast Person and Planet by Purevant Living. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Discover how sustainability is incorporated into investments. Learn how…
Greg Wait featured in Purevant Living’s Person & Planet Fall 2022 magazine. Sustainable investing has become a widely accepted approach to generating competitive investment returns while having a positive global impact on people and planet. According to the US SIF Foundation, $17.1 trillion are in sustainable investment strategies as of the beginning of 2020, a…
Listen as Riverwater’s Chief Mindfulness Officer, Cindy Bohlen, shares her journey into sustainable investing on the podcast Her CEO Journey: The Business Finance Podcast for Mission-Driven Women Entrepreneurs. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Discover how sustainability drives profitability. Learn how you can collaborate with your stakeholders to improve your sustainability.…
Greg Wait, Riverwater’s resident 401(k) expert, spoke with PLANSPONSOR and had some great suggestions how Defined Contribution or DC plans can respond to increasing demand by participants for ESG funds. PLANSPONSOR. Sept. 22, 2022. PLAN PARTICIPANTS CLAIM to want environmental, social and governance investment options in their defined contribution plan lineups. The Schroders 2022 U.S. Retirement Survey…
Riverwater Partners is a Future 50 company! Riverwater Partners is honored to be named a 2022 Future 50 company by BizTimes Media in partnership with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. The Future 50 program, now in its 33rd year, recognizes privately-owned companies in the Milwaukee region that have been in business for at least…
Advisor Perspectives. Sept. 5, 2022. By Connor Doak, CFA. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win.” The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment community is deep within the third stage. ESG investing has been subjected to brutal headlines, politically motivated attacks…
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…
Riverwater Partners has been named a 2022 Best for the World™ B Corp™ in recognition of its exceptional positive impact on its customers. B Lab grants the Best for the World distinction to Certified B Corporations (B Corps) whose verified B Impact Scores in the five impact areas evaluated in the B Impact Assessment —…
Adam Peck was a featured guest on the Money Life Podcast with Chuck Jaffe. Money Life is a daily financial talk show focusing on investing, handling, managing, planning for and protecting your money. Click here to listen to the interview.
The Journey of Sustainable Investing Our 2021 Sustainability Report celebrates the journey of sustainable investing. The evolution of Sustainable Investing has been and will continue to be a journey. Sustainable Investing originally focused on excluding companies doing harm; today it also incorporates positive screening for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics that reveal companies doing…
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…
Five Reasons Your Nonprofit Should Invest Sustainably Leaders of nonprofit organizations spend exhaustive amounts of energy ensuring that the mission of their organization is fulfilled, and that their donor mandates are met. What many have not yet considered is how investing their endowments in socially responsible investments, also known as ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance)…
Greg Wait featured in Marketwatch. Sustainable investing is hot, and when Wall Street sees a trend, it wants a piece of the action. How hot? In 2020, US SIF Foundation, which measures this type of investing, said 33% of U.S. assets under professional management use environmental, social and governance criteria when investing. That’s $17 trillion, or one…
Research team looks ahead as Riverwater Partners’ SMID Value Strategy reaches five-year milestone Chief Investment Officer Adam Peck says industry’s lack of ESG focus in small-cap value is inconsistent with value-investing mindset Milwaukee, October 13, 2021 – Riverwater Partners’ flagship ESG Small & Mid Cap (SMID) Value Strategy marked its five-year anniversary at the end…
For Immediate Release. Milwaukee (Sept 8, 2021). Riverwater Partners, one of the country’s leading ESG investment firms is pleased to announce the addition of Jan Grimm, as a Senior Wealth Advisor on our Wealth Management Team. Jan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional who has been providing clients with her planning expertise for over 20…
Article featured in Valuewalk. May 24, 2021. For most Americans, 401(k) plan accounts have become the predominant retirement savings vehicle. Currently, more than $6.4 trillion is invested in 401(k) plans across the country, a 73% increase in the past ten years.1 An additional $2.7 trillion is invested in other defined-contribution plans, such as 403(b) plans for educational…
Our 2020 Sustainability Report celebrates the power of resilience. Resilience not only allows people and the planet to respond to crisis, recover and thrive, it allows businesses to do so as well. We witnessed this in 2020 as many businesses that had a clear focus on environmental, social, and governance factors – keys to their resilience –…
It’s tax time! Investors may be thinking of ways to reduce their tax payments. For investors with realized capital gains, investing in Qualified Opportunity Zones (“QOZ”) may be an approach to consider for the deferral or reduction of capital gains tax. Origin & purpose of Qualified Opportunity Zones First, a brief history of the…
March is B Corp Month. At Riverwater, we celebrate our B Corp status every day of every month. Riverwater Partners was founded in 2016 and, as soon as we became eligible in 2018, became a B Corp. We are proud to have been the first registered B Corp in Milwaukee, and the only investment advisor…
Marketwatch. January 4, 2021 Environmental, social and governance investing resonates with people who want their investments to align with their values, and the boom in this investing style has fund companies launching more ESG investment vehicles. But these funds may not be as green as investors think they are. ESG investing considers both financial return…
Marketwatch. November 13, 2020 Even as the Trump administration actively discourages environmental, social and governance investing in employer-sponsored retirement plans — a rule the Biden administration may overturn — it’s not like investors had a lot of ESG choices to begin with. When Morningstar looked at lineups for defined-contribution plans like 401(k)s or 403(b)s , the research firm…
Re: Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments Proposed Regulation (RIN 1210-AB95) Dear Director Canary: Riverwater Partners LLC is an independent, employee-owned, registered investment advisory firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serving families, nonprofits, and institutions. We invest in superior businesses with exceptional management teams, attractive valuations, and a focus on social responsibility and sustainability. As fiduciaries…
Some investing styles, such as value investing, have proven themselves useful over the course of many decades. By contrast, investing fads are short-lived. They look promising in a particular market context but fade away as the world changes. Examples of such fads include day trading, house flipping, and, in our view, Bitcoin and liquid alternative…
Benefits Magazine. February 2020 Greg Wait of Riverwater authored an article for the February 2020 edition of Benefits Magazine that looks into the limited availability of SRI Investments in 401(k) plans and offers solutions to plan sponsors wanting to respond to the increasing demand for SRI investment from participants. Read more
Coined in 2005 in a landmark study entitled “Who Cares Wins,” which made the case that embedding environmental, social, and governance factors in capital markets makes good business sense and leads to better outcomes for society, ‘ESG’ is getting a lot of attention. Individuals, particularly young ones, are liking what they hear. Companies are paying…
B the Change™ – inspired by Gandhi’s famous invocation that we must be the change we seek in the world. As a socially responsible investment advisory firm, Riverwater Partners is proud to have officially become the first Milwaukee company and the only investment advisor in Wisconsin (as of September 2018) to achieve B Corp™…
