A side effect of the new normal created by social distancing due to the Coronavirus pandemic is the inability for clients and advisers to come together in the same room to discuss, plan, and execute on their estate planning objectives. However through modern technology, these discussions can still occur in virtual spaces, and pursuant to an executive order signed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, notaries can also work digitally. We review the provisions of the order and alternative ways to continue estate planning under shelter-in-place orders.
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The impact of COVID-19 on our communities is only just starting to come into focus. No matter what happens from here, the damage will be dramatic. Many nonprofits that have not traditionally made grants to individuals are asking if they can do so, and how. With a little bit of planning and advice up front, disaster relief grants to individuals can allow nonprofits to have a direct and immediate impact on those in urgent need, and help those it serves stay afloat until the crisis has passed.
For the first time, more than half of the CEOs surveyed believe the rate of global GDP growth will decline. The finding is compelling because it reflects low confidence in their organization’s outlook, which has proven to be a reliable indicator of both the direction and the level of global GDP growth in the year ahead. Although U.S. CEOs are among the most pessimistic about global growth, they are among the most confident about their own organizations’ growth prospects.
Returning to work in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis presents employers with unprecedented workplace and employee relations challenges. As the Southern states move ahead with phased plans to reopen, it is important to have the right strategy in place for employee safety, absence management and risk mitigation. The HUB Risk Services team discusses and reviews the following return to work considerations and challenges:
Businesses that sell basic necessities are facing overwhelming demand and experiencing increased customer service inquiries, call volume, and website orders. These challenges make communicating with customers more important than ever. When implementing an effective customer-facing communications plan, there are five attributes that should be included.
Although the population and life expectancies of U.S. retirees are increasing, portfolio yields remain at historically low levels. As defined benefit income becomes less commonly available, the need for informed retirement portfolio spending strategies is more critical. Because every investor's financial situation is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
In the same way that spot prices are useful to farmers for planning, they can be just as useful for investors. Many index providers recognize this and publish asset-class-wide measurements of aggregate spot prices called spot indexes. However, things can get complicated if you don’t understand their subtleties.
As family offices and businesses prepare for a return to work in the post-COVID-19 environment, they face complicated decisions when trying to plan for a safe workplace. This medical intelligence report provides an overview on COVID-19 to help facilitate thoughtful discussions and a better understanding of official recommendations. It also includes general guidance for employers and reputable sources for getting updates and information on the spread of COVID-19 and changes in recommendations to fit the current situation.
Subtitle C of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act amends certain provisions in the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. A brief summary of four key provisions that employers need to know includes: paid leave for rehired employees; advance refunding of credits; single-employer plan funding rules; and federal contractor activity.
The spread of COVID has harmed communities and disrupted many sectors of the economy. For the small- and medium-sized businesses, the disruptions to economic activity have heightened the need for the creation of the Main Street Lending Program to provide support to those businesses. In this podcast, a discussion of the Program provides an overview of the terms, clarity on the loans for borrowers and lenders, and how to access additional resources to help navigate the Program.