Hello ,

As the leaves change, the seasonal shift presents a perfect opportunity to reassess your financial strategies with a new outlook and ask yourself the following questions: What financial objectives remain on your to-do list for this year? Which ones do you aim to pursue in 2025?

Taking proactive steps now can lay a solid foundation for your financial health as we approach 2025. If we haven't met recently, schedule a year-end meeting with me to review your asset allocation and investment strategy, ensuring they align with your financial goals for the upcoming year. Now is also a great time to discuss tax strategies that can help mitigate your tax burden as we enter the new year. Keep in mind that year-end holiday gifting—whether to friends, family, or charities—can have tax implications, so it's important to talk about any significant cash gifting plans you may have. Finally, with prices still 21.4% higher since the pandemic began in February 2020, it's wise to reassess your holiday budget. Holiday shopping and travel may be more expensive this year, so planning ahead can help you avoid unnecessary costs.

In XML news, we are pleased to announce a few highlights that you can read more about below. These include a Forbes/SHOOK America's Top RIA Firms ranking, FINRA election results for our Chief Compliance Officer, Jennifer Szaro, and our upcoming webinar, "Retirement Planning for Business Owners". Lastly, we have our weekly wealth insights video highlighted, a spotlight on group life insurance, and our monthly fraud focus warning against romance scams. 

As you think about how to harvest your 2024 financial goals this fall, remember that just as farmers prepare for a bountiful harvest, you, too, can lay the groundwork for future prosperity heading into 2025. By reviewing your financial goals, collaborating together with your advisor, and planning for the upcoming year, you’re ensuring that your efforts will bear fruit when the time comes.

Happy Harvesting, 

XML Financial Group

Wealth Advisor

XML Financial Group
www.xmlfg.com

XML Wealth Insights

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

In this week’s XML Wealth Insights video, President of XML Financial Group, Curtis Congdon, shares his perspective on gold and its historical performance. He discusses how it is important to talk to your advisor before making hasty decisions so that your advisor can look at how this asset may fit into your overall financial plan. 

XML Wealth Wisdom

Upcoming: Retirement Planning for Business Owners Webinar

Join us on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 1:00pm EST, for an informative webinar designed specifically for small business owners looking to enhance their retirement planning. In this session, we will explore various types of company-sponsored retirement plan options, including 401(k) and Cash Balance Plans with Lori Avila, Vice President or Retirement Plan Consulting at Benetech and Sharon Abbey, Wealth Advisor at XML Financial Group. 

The presentation will cover key comparisons of popular options and identify the types of businesses and owners that may find one option more appealing than the other.

XML Team News

Forbes 2024 Top RIA Firms List

XML Financial Group is pleased to announce the firm has been named to the Forbes/SHOOK America’s Top RIA Firms list for 2024, ranking at No. 109.

The Forbes 2024 Top RIA Firms List, developed by SHOOK Research, highlights the top 250 registered investment advisors (RIAs) in the U.S. This prestigious ranking evaluates firms based on qualitative and quantitative factors, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, and industry experience. The selection process involves in-depth interviews with firm leadership and staff, emphasizing growth and dedication to client service. Now in its third year, the Forbes Top RIA list serves as a benchmark for assessing advisory firms across the nation. This year’s evaluation included over 46,200 nominations and 21,400 telephone interviews, with thorough reviews of thousands of RIAs through in-person or virtual meetings. More than 25,000 firms were invited to participate, underscoring the list’s significance. For detailed methodology, please refer to the full methodology here. XML Financial Group did not pay a fee to be included on the published list.

FINRA Announces Results Of Board Of Governors Elections

XML is proud of our Chief Compliance Officer, Jennifer Szaro, CRCP®️, and her representation of the Small Firm broker-dealer community as a FINRA Small Firm Board Member.

XML Insurance Spotlight 

Is Group Life Insurance A Good Idea?

If you recently started a new job or if open enrollment season has started at your workplace, you may have a chance to get life insurance through your employer at little or no cost to you or change your insurance death benefit levels. But is group life insurance a good idea? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of getting coverage through work? Check out our recent blog post on this topic. 

XML Fraud Focus 

Broken Hearts and Empty Wallets

XML Financial Group is committed to protecting clients by actively combating fraud. Our proactive approach includes regular internal assessments to stay ahead of threats, striving to maintain trust and security in all client interactions. Check out our new "XML Fraud Focus" newsletter section, every month for fraud tips and alerts so you know how to protect yourself and your family. 

This month's focus is from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and highlights the rising epidemic of romance scams. According to the FTC, people reported a record $547 million in losses to romance scams in 2021. That’s up about 80% from the reports the FTC got in 2020. Check out the below link for tips on what a romance scam can look like, lies these scammers tell, what to do if you think you are involved in a romance scam, and most importantly, how not to lose your hard-earned dollars to someone whose goal it to leave you with a broken heart and an empty wallet. 

This communication is for information and educational purposes only. This is not a recommendation for the sale or investment in any product or strategy nor should it be perceived as individual advice. Information presented has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and does not represent all available data necessary for making investment decisions. Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect a series of assumptions and judgments as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. Forecasts do not consider the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of an individual. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. The opinion expressed by this individual is based on facts and circumstances known at this time, is subject to change and does not reflect the opinions of all financial professionals of XML.