Financial Education Center

Is the Yield Curve Signaling a Recession?

Long-term bonds generally provide higher yields than short-term bonds, because investors demand higher returns to compensate for the risk of lending money over a longer period.

Webinar: 2023 Economic Outlook - Unique Opportunities in a Potentially Challenging Year

George Nicola, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for First Bank Wealth Management, and a panel of experts discussed the possible challenges investors may face in 2023. From recession to stagflation, the panel unpacked how investors can avoid costly mistakes and capitalize on opportunities that may arise in a potentially challenging year.

Donor-Advised Fund

A donor-advised fund offers an easy way for a donor to make significant charitable gifts over a long period of time. A donor-advised fund is similar to a private foundation but requires less money, time, legal assistance, and administration to establish and maintain. A donor-advised fund also enjoys greater tax advantages than a private foundation.

Charitable Giving

Charitable giving can play an important role in many estate plans. Philanthropy cannot only give you great personal satisfaction, it can also give you a current income tax deduction, let you avoid capital gains tax, and reduce the amount of taxes your estate may owe when you die.

Creative Solutions to Lower the Cost of College

Saving money, borrowing money, and financial aid are the most obvious ways to pay for college. But none of these methods attempt to lower the actual cost of college. There are several creative ways to lower the cost of college, which, in turn, will lower your own costs.

Managing Expenses During the College Years

For most parents, paying for a child's college or graduate school education is a major event. For some parents, it rivals only the purchase of a home in number of dollars spent. As the cost of college continues to rise, it's little wonder that parents view their ability to pay college costs with some apprehension.