The Department of Labor just made it easier for retirement plan sponsors to include ESG factors when considering investments. ESG (environmental, social, governance) is shorthand for: is a company doing good while doing well? ETI (economically targeted investments) is another acronym referring to companies that create a benefit for the community as well as the stockholders. Since 2008, when the DOL issued Interpretive Bulletin 94-01 stating that ETI investing should be “rare,” many sponsors have been reluctant to look at ESG when evaluating investments; as fiduciaries, they needed to focus primarily on financial factors. But the Department of Labor’s new ERISA guidance on ETIs opens the door for sponsors to consider ESG factors in their retirement plan investment options. Read more
Monthly Archives: October 2015
The Mighty U.S. Dollar
(Click to enlarge)
Since the end of 2007, U.S. stocks have beat their international counterparts by 7.5% annually, and the U.S. share of the MSCI ACWI index grew from 42% to 52%.1 Read more
401(k) Contribution Limits Don’t Go Up for 2016
The IRS has announced the contribution limits for 2016. While the cost-of-living index the IRS uses rose slightly, it didn’t increase enough to trigger an adjustment in contribution limits, so most defined contribution plans and IRAs will continue to have the same limits on how much participants can contribute in 2016. Read more
Halloween Debt Ceiling Crisis IV
By November 3rd, the U.S. government will run out of cash. Again.
Judging from the U.S. government shutdowns of 1995-1996 and the debt ceiling crises of 2011 and 2013, we might be tempted to assume that this year’s debt crisis will follow the same tried-and-true storyline: A few weeks of dramatic fiscal brinksmanship, followed by a bold yet pragmatic budget deal. Read more
Arnerich Massena’s Diane Kern Wins HR Leadership Award
During her near-20-year tenure, Diane Kern has been integral in creating and maintaining Arnerich Massena’s renowned culture. As HR Director, she manages everything from performance reviews to benefits to employee recognition programs. That’s why, upon the announcement that she had won The Portland Business Journal’s top honor for HR professionals – the HR Leadership Award in the small business category – the whole firm was cheering her on. We know how lucky we are to have her; now the Portland business community knows too. Read more
The FOOD FIGHT 20th Anniversary Celebration of the I AM Learning Partnership a Huge Success!
On Saturday, October 17, the Irvington Elementary School gymnasium was filled with the aroma of exquisite foods created by a sea of miniature chefs, a delectable celebration of nutrition and education. The I AM Learning Partnership, Arnerich Massena’s award-winning community service program, marked its 20th anniversary with this remarkable event. Read more
Arnerich Massena Staff Goes Crabbing
Every year in October, Arnerich Massena staff and families head out to Nehalem Bay to jump in crabbing boats and lower the crabbing pots in hopes of collecting some saltwater treats. This year, on October 9, we braved an incoming storm, heading out on the water despite reports of oncoming high winds. But the storm held off long enough for the team to enjoy a – somewhat rainy and windy – day on the bay. Read more
Arnerich Massena recognized as one of The Portland Business Journal’s Top Ten Corporate Philanthropists in the Small Business Category
The Portland Business Journal celebrated corporate philanthropy in Oregon and Southwest Washington at the annual Corporate Philanthropy Awards Luncheon on October 9, 2015. We were proud to be among the honorees at the ceremony, and excited to rank among the top ten small business corporate philanthropists for the second year in a row. Also for the second year in a row, Arnerich Massena ranked #1 in the small business category for the number of employee volunteer hours donated, with 5,512 volunteer hours given by employees to our I AM Learning Partnership program in 2014. Read more
Securities and Exchange Commission Proposes Reforms to Enhance Liquidity Risk Management
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed a set of reforms that seek to enhance liquidity risk management by open-end funds such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The proposed rules would require mutual funds and ETFs to implement liquidity risk management programs and enhanced disclosures regarding fund liquidity and redemption practices. Read more