As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2024, the market has managed to continue to climb, even with headwinds such as geopolitical conflicts and elevated interest rates still prevalent features in the daily newsfeed. Although investors remain concerned about prices at the grocery store, one worry overrides all others: the election. According to a recent investor survey by Janus Henderson, over 78% of investors cite the election as their biggest worry in 2024.

When it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, there seems to be two types of people: those who look forward to making (and sometimes breaking) them, and those who think the whole thing is probably a waste of time. Everyone knows that many popular resolutions are broken by the time Valentine’s Day comes around, just look at the gym in January versus February or March!

2023 began with a hangover of sorts with the same troubles that plagued the market last year. But how has the situation changed year to date? In this inaugural episode in our series quarterly market updates, Brian J. Murphy, CIMA® Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist joins Laurie Haelen, AIF®, Senior Vice President, Director of Wealth Solutions to discuss various aspects of financial markets over the past quarter as well as the current market climate. We’ll address inflation’s impact on the economy, the current labor market, valuations, possible opportunities with fixed income, and the importance of focusing on long term goals during times of market uncertainty.

The decision to attend college can have a financial impact on both students and parents for years to come. So how do you set yourself up for success? Tune in to our latest episode with Denise Kelly-Dohse, CFP®, Vice President, Wealth Advisor, CNB Wealth Management who joins Laurie Haelen, AIF®, Senior Vice President, Director of Wealth Solutions to discuss these financial implications. How do you choose a cost-effective school? What should you know about student loans? Which repayment plan is right for you? We will answer these questions and more to assist you in making the best decisions for you and your financial future.

There's no doubt about it — 2022 has been a tumultuous year for the financial markets. If you are looking forward to a fresh start this year, why not begin with your personal finances? Here are some tips to help you get started.

There's no doubt about it — 2022 has been a tumultuous year for the financial markets. If you are looking forward to a fresh start this year, why not begin with your personal finances? Here are some tips to help you get started.

2022 has certainly been an interesting and somewhat stressful year for investors, with high inflation and market volatility dominating the financial news daily. During all of this, even bonds—historically less risky than stocks—have decreased in value year to date. To understand why, you must first understand the nature of bonds and why interest rates and inflation can impact the prices.

Sending a child to college is at the top of the wish list for many parents. A college education can open doors to many opportunities and help your child compete in today's competitive job market. But, the cost of college has risen exponentially over the years and getting started on saving can be a daunting task.

After a strong start to 2021, the third quarter was a volatile one for global markets, as the Dow, the Russell 2000 Nasdaq and ACWI (All Country World Index) declined, while the S&P 500 was able to eke out a

The first quarter of 2021 continued the march upward for equity markets, as a broad rally lifted most indices higher for the period. The combination of a $1.9 trillion U.S. fiscal package, a broader rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and expectations for an eventual complete economic reopening created a formula that boosted riskier assets to new heights while bonds stalled in the wake of rising interest rate fears. U.S. small and mid-cap equities, along with REITS, led the way during the quarter that ended with many equity indices returning 30% or more since the bottom of the pandemic sell-off in March 2020.

Budgeting is the foundation of a great financial plan. But how can establishing a budget provide you with more financial freedom and less financial stress? In this episode, Laurie Haelen, AIF®, Senior Vice President, Manager of Investment and Financial Planning Solutions and Donna Cator, CFP®, CDFA®, Vice President, Wealth Advisor with CNB Wealth Management, join CNB’s Pittsford Bank Office Manager, Harry Gibbs, to break down the basics of budgeting. What is a budget? Why is having a budget important? How do you get started? We answer these questions and more so you can put this financial tool to work in your own life.

Two emergency relief bills passed in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will make this an unusual tax season for many taxpayers. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed in March, and a second relief package was attached to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, in December. The following provisions may affect many households when they file their personal tax returns for 2020. You might consult a tax professional who can explain the changes and recommend strategies to help reduce your tax liability for 2021.

Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached.

I was brought up in a family of modest means by parents who counted on Social Security and a small pension for their retirement. The stock market was a mysterious entity and my parents considered the market as legalized gambling created for, and used by, those who circumvented an honest living. They were not alone in their mistrust of the stock markets, which is a perception still exists today: 65% of respondents in a recent survey* indicated they “mistrust a lot” or “mistrust a little” the financial services industry. Only 2% of respondents said they trust the financial services industry “a lot” and nearly 83% said they believe their interests are secondary to corporate profits. Yet traditional pensions have gone by the wayside, and most of us will need to rely on our own savings to fund at least part of our retirement. If only there were a way to invest in companies that treat employees well, care about the environment and are financially prudent. If you could invest cost effectively and achieve returns that compete with some of the most successful managers. This may seem altruistic and, hence, too good to be true. Welcome to the ever-evolving world of ESG investing.

Market declines are challenging times and it is important to realize that they are an inevitable part of the economic cycle. Here are some simple tips to consider when thinking about your portfolio.