Michael Nicholas, CFA

07/17/2026

When it comes to small business retirement options, the choices can feel overwhelming. This post highlights that a SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and 401(k) are structured differently, and that the right fit depends on business size, number of employees, and overall goals.

07/15/2026

A financial review doesn't have to be complicated.

Taking time to revisit key areas of your financial life can help ensure you're still aligned with your goals.

07/13/2026

Small business owners often think of their employees as family, but are they set up like it? This post opens the conversation around retirement options available to small business employees, reminding owners that a 401(k) isn't the only choice and that some options are built specifically for smaller teams.

07/09/2026

A takeover battle is unfolding around a historic Italian lender widely regarded as the world’s oldest bank.

Founded in 1472, the institution began as a way to provide credit to lower-income citizens in Siena. More than five centuries later, it remains part of Italy’s financial landscape.

The current bidding activity has drawn attention because the outcome could reshape part of Italy’s banking sector.

The situation also carries broader significance because the bank has connections to major financial holdings, including insurance and government bond exposure.

For Italy, the issue is not only about banking. It also raises questions about domestic control, foreign influence, and how countries approach financial institutions viewed as strategically important.

It is a reminder that financial history is not frozen in the past. Sometimes, institutions that have existed for centuries still sit at the center of modern economic and political debates.


Source:

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena has been operating for well over 500 years, and some Italian officials reportedly want to ensure it stays in Italian hands.

07/08/2026

Markets posted solid second-quarter gains as investors responded to upbeat economic reports, continued diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, and strong first-quarter corporate numbers. The S&P 500 rose 14.87%, the Nasdaq gained 21.41%, and the Dow picked up 12.90%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 6.37%. Looking ahead, markets may continue to react to Middle East updates, oil prices, inflation trends, and the pace of global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. From U.S. home price growth to Canadian housing forecasts, this quarter’s by-the-numbers highlights the data behind one of North America’s most closely watched markets.

Quarterly Market Insights | July 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks saw solid gains in the second quarter, riding a wave of enthusiasm over upbeat economic reports, ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, and strong first-quarter corporate numbers. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 14...

07/01/2026

Another amazing Bounce Children’s Foundation event in the books! This one was particularly special as I had the honor of co-chairing the event. Birdies Fore Bounce is just one of our many events to help raise funds to support families with chronically ill children. We were able to raise over $90k this year and look forward to having you all out next year to supersede that and have even more fun doing so!

06/19/2026

Markets don't take vacations. But your strategy is built for the bumps.

06/17/2026

What would you do with a windfall?

A business sale. An inheritance. A bonus that lands bigger than expected.

Most people assume they'd handle it well.

But sudden money follows patterns. And the patterns aren't always flattering.

Psychologists call it sudden wealth syndrome: the anxiety, decision paralysis, and relationship pressure that arrive alongside a large sum. It shows up whether the windfall was a complete surprise or something you spent years building toward.

The 5 most common mistakes we see:

⏳ Upgrading your lifestyle before a strategy exists

🤝 Giving to family under emotional pressure

📊 Attempting to make decisions without professional guidance

⚖️ Freezing and making no decisions at all

📋 Missing the critical deadlines in year one

All five can be managed, but only if you get ahead of the emotions before the decisions start piling up.

The most important thing you can do in the first 90 days? Maybe nothing.

Tell very few people. Then consider building a team of professionals who can offer insights and guidance.

There is rarely a cost to waiting. There is frequently a cost to moving too quickly.

06/15/2026

Trump Accounts open on July 4. A few questions are worth considering:

➡️ Our baby is 18 months old. Do we qualify for the $1,000?

Yes. Every U.S. citizen baby born since January 1, 2025, qualifies for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution.

➡️ Is there an income maximum?

No. Eligibility is based on the child's citizenship and birth date, not family income.

➡️ Our child is 7. Did we miss it?

Not entirely. Any U.S. citizen under 18 can have an account opened. The federal $1,000 payment applies only to children born in 2025 through 2028, but everything else still applies.

➡️ Can grandparents contribute?

Yes. Up to $5,000 per year combined across parents, grandparents, family, and the child themselves.

➡️ What is the catch?

State tax conformity varies; California, for example, does not currently conform.

Whether to contribute, how much, and how to coordinate it with what you already have are all worth talking through. Our team is here for that.

06/11/2026

This month's chart is thanks to past Fed Chair Alan Greenspan, who tracked men's underwear sales as a proxy for consumer confidence. What do you think the new Fed Chair will watch?