Cybersecurity in 2026: Why the Risks Are Rising—and How to Stay Protected
Financial Education 8 min read Cybersecurity in 2026: Why the Risks Are Rising—and How to Stay Protected Cybercrime is no longer a distant or abstract threat—it is one of the fastest-growing financial risks facing individuals today. In the United States alone, reported cyber-enabled fraud losses reached approximately $21 billion in 2025, according to the Federal […]
Blind Spots: Account Ownership and Beneficiaries
Wealth Planning 5 min read Over the years, we’ve identified a number of common blind spots that clients often overlook — sometimes for decades. In this article, we’ll walk through what these blind spots are, why they matter, and the practical steps you can take to address them. Why this matters Two closely related but […]
Q1 2026 Review & Second-Half Implications
Market Outlook 8 min read The headlines vs. the data For much of the Q1 2026, attention was consumed by the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28 and sent shockwaves through energy markets, closed shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, and dominated financial headlines from March onward. However, behind the […]
Legacy Stock Holdings: Preserve, Reposition, or Protect? Making Informed Choices for the Future
Wealth Planning 7 min read Legacy stock holdings — those long-standing, often highly appreciated positions — can be among the most emotionally and financially significant assets in a portfolio. They may have been inherited, accumulated through years at a company, or grown from an early-stage investment into a major position. For many, they represent stability, […]
Level Up Your Portfolio—Tax-Free—with 1031 Real Estate Swaps
Level Up Your Portfolio—Tax-Free—with 1031 Real Estate Swaps So, it’s time to sell that real estate investment property you own. Maybe the property value has appreciated significantly. Maybe you’re tired of the hassles of property management. Or perhaps you think you can better optimize your funds with a different investment. That’s exciting! But there’s one potential downside: taxes. Specifically, the gains from the sale of a rental property are […]
Trade Wars, Tarrifs and Spending Cuts
Market Outlook 6 min read Trade Wars, Tariffs and Spending Cuts April 2025 The market is worried about how recent White House policies will affect the economy. And we agree that there is potential for the economy to slow, potentially into a recession. However, it’s too early for any economic data to reflect the actual […]
College Savings Account Comparison
College Savings Account Comparison A side-by-side comparison of 529 Plans, Taxable Brokerage Accounts, UTMA/UGMA accounts, and Trump Accounts (530A) Advantage Disadvantage Neutral Category 529 Plan Taxable Brokerage (Parent) UTMA / UGMA Trump Account (530A) Best for College savings — primary vehicle Flexible savings with no restrictions; any financial goal Any purpose, no restrictions […]
Trump Accounts (530A)
Trump Accounts (530A) Quick Reference Guide Financial Education 8 min read Trump Accounts (formally 530A accounts) are a new federally created, tax-deferred savings and investment account for children under age 18, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025). Think of them as a traditional IRA for minors — with special rules during childhood and full IRA treatment […]
Estate Planning After the One Big Beautiful Bill
Wealth Planning 6 min read Navigating Estate and Inheritance Planning in a New Tax Era With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the estate planning landscape has fundamentally shifted. Previously, the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption was scheduled to drop from its inflation-adjusted 2025 level of $13.99 million to around […]
Title: Fiduciaries: What Does It Mean and Why Should I Care?
Financial Education 5 min read Fiduciaries: What Does It Mean and Why Should I Care? When it comes to choosing a financial advisor, an important—but often misunderstood—term is “fiduciary.” At 44 North Capital, we believe you deserve to understand what this means and why it matters when trusting someone to guide your financial future. What […]