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This edition of Economic Currents takes a closer look at what the COVID Delta variant means going forward. The variant is expected to dampen, but not derail, the recovery in the U.S. However, if COVID cases continue to rise, it could bring an abrupt end to the current boom.

Things are new, not normal. As the pandemic recedes, businesses are not headed into a familiar past. Nearly two-thirds of CFOs are worried that talent shortages could impair their ability to meet short-term strategies. A similar percentage are worried about controlling compensation and benefits cost. Addressing this tension and other pressing priorities will help define success in a post-pandemic world.

Professionals working in family offices are experiencing significant and increasing complexity, recognizing the need to evolve and remain up-to-date with their technology tools, software, and security to manage the high net worth assets. This is why an integrated technology platform based upon a single, unified database is the path to the family office of the future. The right technology will also bring three key factors to support and enhance family office services.

Today’s environment is perfect for high net worth individuals and families to maximize flexibility, minimize taxation, and execute their desired plan. But given the current economic and political climate, the outsized benefits available today may not be available tomorrow. That is why it is critical to execute your plan now.

It’s common for investors to find themselves holding a concentrated single-stock exposure. But holding onto it is risky and may put your long-term financial goals in jeopardy. Investors can reduce the risk by implementing a staged diversification plan in tandem with a separately managed account.

Investors may prefer speed, but in a market as inefficient as the municipal bond market, it may not be in their best interests to rush the investment process. Data indicates that the cost of a reasonably investment period is low and that the benefit of waiting for attractive new issues is real. Even in the fast-paced world of investing, slow and steady can win the race.

Currently, family offices are typically exempted from the requirement to register with the SEC as investment advisers. But this may change after the United States House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services gave support to the HR 4620 bill that may be a harbinger of efforts to impose additional oversight of family offices in the future.

Most business owners know that proper succession planning can help keep their business running strong into the next generation. They understand the importance of creating a plan to prepare heirs and key employees to run the business when it is time. In taking a different approach and applying the lessons learned, a list of seven “worst practices” is provided to help families prepare for an unplanned business transition.

Family offices are embracing responsible investing in increasing numbers to align investments with values. We explore what’s driving the demand for responsible investing, the range of potential investment approaches, and some initial steps that family offices can take when they’re ready to commit to responsible investing.

When a catastrophic event occurs and total loss and devastation ensues, the reality is that people may decide not to rebuild, and in some cases abandon their ‘property.’ While the choice remains with the owner of the property as to whether or not to repair, there are conditions within your insurance policy that you need to consider.