Grant Thornton has appointed Cameron Bacon as new national head of corporate finance. Bacon, who has a 25-year tenure in corporate finance, possesses expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and strategic growth planning. Previously a partner in financial advisory, Bacon has background in advising clients across various sectors, particularly in food and beverage, and agribusiness. His leadership in Grant Thornton’s Agribusiness, Food & Beverage industry group has been generating insights ...

Don’t trust before you verify. While advisors feel good any time a prospective client walks through the door, a small fraction of potential customers may have earned their money illegitimately. Some may be trying to launder proceeds from criminal enterprises such as drug-trafficking and racketeering, and the Bank Secrecy Act requires many wealth managers to set up procedures to detect such transactions and, potentially, to alert law enforcement. Bad actors “are definitely finding better ways to navigate ...

This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. To some, the word strategic is starting to become an overused catch-all in conversations about the CFO role. Across LinkedIn and business media alike, the term strategic, alongside others like collaboration, forward-thinking and decision makers, is used as if finance leaders are just now stepping into strategy. In reality, CFOs have long been a major part of setting direction ...

Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing prevalence of scams, particularly in the cryptocurrency space, targeting older adults, leading to significant financial losses [2][5]. Group 1: Scam Overview - Common scams include fake initial coin offerings (ICOs) and fraudulent digital wallets that deceive victims into providing private keys [1]. - In 2024, 147,127 Americans aged 60 and older reported losses of $4.885 billion due to scams, with cryptocurrency scams accounting for over 33,000 complaints and $2.839 billion in losses [5]. Group 2: Defense Against Scams - Education is emphasized as a crucial defense against scams, particularly for individuals aged 60 and above, who are most likely to fall victim to fraudulent investments and phishing schemes [2]. - Financial advisors are recommended for their ability to identify legitimate investment opportunities and help clients avoid risky ventures, especially in the digital currency market [4]. Group 3: Investment Alternatives - The article suggests avoiding cryptocurrency investments entirely, especially for older adults and pre-retirees, due to the volatility and risks associated with these assets [6]. - Traditional investment options such as precious metals, real estate, and the stock market are presented as safer alternatives that can provide steady growth over time [7][11]. Group 4: Specific Investment Options - Gold IRAs are highlighted as a method for building retirement funds with inflation-hedging assets, requiring a minimum purchase of $10,000 [9]. - Real estate investments through platforms like Arrived allow individuals to invest in shares of vacation homes or rental properties, starting with as little as $100 [12]. - First National Realty Partners (FNRP) offers accredited investors opportunities in necessity-based commercial real estate, focusing on grocery-anchored properties for reliable income streams [13]. Group 5: Stock Market Insights - Moby, an investment research platform, provides expert stock picks and has outperformed the S&P 500 by an average of 12% over four years, presenting a safer alternative to cryptocurrency investments [16][17].

Core Insights - The article discusses whether a $750,000 Roth IRA combined with $1,800 in monthly Social Security benefits is sufficient for retirement, suggesting that it may be adequate for many individuals based on median income and the 10x rule [1][2] Group 1: Retirement Planning - The adequacy of a $750,000 Roth IRA and $1,800 in Social Security benefits depends on individual financial management and retirement expectations [2] - Continuous investment is highlighted as a critical factor often overlooked in retirement planning, with a warning against relying solely on savings [3] Group 2: Income Generation - Investing in income-producing assets, such as real estate, is recommended to enhance retirement quality and provide additional income streams [3] - A "bucket" approach is suggested for managing risk, where a portion of the portfolio is allocated to safe assets like annuities or bonds to ensure reliable income [5][6] Group 3: Financial Advisory - Engaging with a financial advisor is encouraged for building a retirement income plan and identifying new income streams [3][5]

Core Insights - Perella Weinberg Partners has appointed Hanadi Al Hamoui as a Partner to enhance its Consumer & Retail capabilities and expand its geographic reach in EMEA [1][3] Company Overview - Perella Weinberg Partners is a leading global independent advisory firm that provides strategic and financial advice to a diverse client base, including corporations, financial sponsors, governments, and sovereign wealth funds [4] - The firm operates with approximately 700 employees and has offices in major cities including New York, London, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, Chicago, Munich, Denver, Calgary, and Greenwich [4] Appointment Details - Hanadi Al Hamoui joins from Bank of America, where she was a Managing Director leading the Home & Personal Care practice in EMEA [2] - Her extensive experience includes advising leading consumer corporations and high-growth businesses, which will be crucial for advancing Perella Weinberg's global Consumer & Retail business [3]

Core Insights - Perella Weinberg Partners has strengthened its healthcare services and technology capabilities by appointing Barry Blake as a Partner [1][3] - Mr. Blake previously served as Global Co-Head of Investment Banking at Leerink Partners, where he co-led the healthcare investment banking strategy [2] - The firm emphasizes the importance of expert advice in the evolving healthcare landscape, driven by innovation, regulatory changes, and consolidation [3] Company Overview - Perella Weinberg is a leading global independent advisory firm providing strategic and financial advice to a diverse client base, including corporations, financial sponsors, governments, and sovereign wealth funds [4] - The firm operates with approximately 700 employees and has offices in major cities including New York, London, and San Francisco [4]

Core Insights - There is a significant divergence between the expectations of financial advisors and individual investors regarding inflation and bond returns [2][3] - Advisors are more grounded in rational analysis, while investors are influenced by emotional experiences and biases [3] Inflation Expectations - Approximately 50% of individual investors anticipate inflation to reach 4% or higher in the next year, with 20% expecting it to exceed 6% [2] - In contrast, three-quarters of advisors predict inflation will remain between 2% and 4% [2] Bond Return Predictions - Most advisors expect 10-year US Treasury notes to yield between 3.5% and 4.5%, while nearly half of investors foresee returns below 3.5% [3] - Two-thirds of advisors plan to maintain their bond allocations, and 25% intend to increase their bond investments [4] Emotional Influence on Investment Decisions - The report highlights that advisors' emotional detachment allows them to provide better guidance, potentially adding 100 to 200 basis points to returns through behavioral coaching [3] - Investors' expectations are often shaped by personal experiences, such as "sticker shock" from rising grocery prices [3]

Core Viewpoint - Andersen Group Inc. is planning to publicly file for its IPO, potentially debuting in early October, amid a favorable market environment following a Federal Reserve interest rate cut [1][2]. Group 1: IPO Plans - Andersen Group has filed confidentially for a listing and is working with Morgan Stanley and UBS Group AG as lead underwriters for the planned IPO [1]. - The company aims to capitalize on the growing investor appetite for stocks [1]. Group 2: Company Overview - Andersen provides a wide range of services including tax, valuation, financial advisory, and related consulting services to both individual and commercial clients [2].

Core Insights - Building trust with clients requires time and effort, with a focus on connection and understanding beyond just investment returns [2] - Discovery meetings should be framed as opportunities for clients to learn about themselves rather than just for advisors to gather information [3] Group 1: Importance of Questions - Advisors should prioritize asking open-ended questions to encourage clients to reflect on their goals [2][4] - Silence can be a powerful tool during conversations, allowing clients to process their thoughts without feeling pressured [4] - Listening is crucial; understanding clients' true concerns may require digging deeper beyond their initial statements [5] Group 2: Adapting Communication - Advisors must be flexible and adapt their approach in real-time, avoiding a rigid script that may overlook important client insights [6] - Using jargon can alienate clients; communication should be straightforward and relatable [6] - Simple, necessary questions about finances should be asked, while being sensitive to clients' comfort levels in discussing personal matters [8]