Banking & Finance – September 2018

Appen Media Group

September Special Section

2 | August, 2018 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

Banking & Finance• Sponsored Section

Don’t risk your financial goals

A DIY best practice for planning

How much risk are you willing to take to achieve your financial goals?

You might think you can handle a lot of risk – but during a market downturn, if your investments decline in value, your risk tolerance will be tested. If you find yourself getting upset over short-term drops, you may need to lower your portfolio’s overall risk level.

BURNS On the other hand, if you think you have a low risk tolerance and you start off investing quite conservatively, you might find that you’re taking on another type of risk – the risk of not reaching your objectives, such as a comfortable retirement. So, you may need to add more growth-oriented investments.

And your risk tolerance can change over time. When you’re starting out in your career, you have time to overcome losses, so you can possibly afford to take on more risk.

But when you’re retired, you may need to shift some of your more risky, growth-seeking investments into more conservative, income-producing ones.

Become familiar with your own risk tolerance – it can play a big role in your investment decisions.

This is Chris Burns, your Edward Jones financial advisor in Cumming, GA. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call, 770-205-1579.

By Michelle Wilson, Wilson Legal, PC

And you don’t need a lawyer Verifying your beneficiary designations for your accounts is a critical step in maintaining your estate plan. Companies and employers are not always organized and sometimes lose records or are victims of data theft.

In today’s environment, even hackers can get away with your important information.

I had a case that lasted three years because an employer lost the change of beneficiary form for the husband’s life insurance.

Husband wanted to leave the life insurance to his second wife and reduced the amount to cover the mortgage and his truck.

We had the canary copy of the three-ply change form with his signature.

The court, however, decided against us even though we were right on the facts and right on the law. The wrong decision was made and there was nothing I or any other attorney could do to fix it.

This case almost made me quit the practice of law.

Now, I help families do this one chore that you do not even need an attorney to do.

I encourage my clients get confirmation of their beneficiary designations on company letterhead from each financial institution. Encouragement is not enough.

We are introducing our beta version of our con-

Compare Our CD Rates

6-month

2.10% APY*

Minimum deposit $1,000

1-year

2.45% APY*

Minimum deposit $1,000

Bank-issued, FDIC-insured

2-year

2.90% APY* Minimum deposit $1,000

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 9/13/2018. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change.

CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound.

CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

Chris Burns Financial Advisor 5285 Lake Point Center Drive Suite A Cumming, GA 30041 770-205-1579

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

tinuing care program this spring and beginning to enroll clients so that we can help them confirm the beneficiary designations periodically.

We are super excited about this new program.

Call today to request information about enrolling.

Wilson Legal, PC 407 East Maple St. #105 Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 205-7861

Banking & Finance • Sponsored Section

American Commerce Bank Johns Creek staff members Travis Carithers, Pat Thomas, Carlos Laverde and Soraya Kenney stand with Corporal Tyler Seymour (center) of the Johns Creek Police Department

Championing community champions Local banks succeed as their communities succeed. American Commerce Bank in Johns Creek makes it a priority to champion community efforts as well as the needs of its business and personal banking customers.

Carlos Laverde, ACB’s Atlanta market president, is proud of the bank’s ongoing involvement. “Community events are a dynamic part of the North Fulton lifestyle, and it’s a privilege to support these efforts. We want to be aligned with the priorities of our customers.”

Bank staff posed proudly with a plaque received recently from the Johns Creek Police Department. The plaque recognized ACB as a key sponsor of the 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run held earlier this year. In addition to the sponsorship, several bank employees participated as runners. “We are contributors”, says Soraya Kenney, branch manager, “and it’s exciting to support the efforts of our thriving North Fulton communities.”

ACB is also a proud supporter of the 2018 “Y IT MATTERS” campaign. The Isakson Alpharetta Family YMCA provides social support across North Fulton with after-school programs, youth development and wellness initiatives. ACB

is highlighting support for the “Y” in its 2018 advertising.

American Commerce Bank offers commercial and personal banking services to the North Fulton markets from its branch in Johns Creek. The bank offers customized lending solutions and SBA loan programs as well as highly convenient on-line banking and treasury management services. The bank’s experienced staff pride themselves in knowing their customers by name and in meeting the needs of businesses and their employees. ACB’s participation in the nation-wide CDARS network enables it to offer FDIC deposit insurance on balances well in excess of the standard $250,000 limit. By providing such services, ACB “brings big banking products down to the community banking level”, according to Kenney. By catering lending and deposit services to the specific needs of business and consumer customers, ACB provides industry-leading solutions to support the growth and success of our communities.

For more information about American Commerce Bank, stop by the branch located at 10690 Medlock Bridge Road, or visit www.AmericanCommerceBank. com

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4 | August, 2018 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

Banking & Finance• Sponsored Section

Your Local Sports Podcast!

Listen at NorthFulton.com/podcasts