THREE BALLS CHRONICLE VOLUME 7 / ISSUE 2 February 2024
IN THIS ISSUE Letter from the President Letter from the General Manager Loyalty Pawn Family Security Awareness Store Manager Updates Golden 1 Center Events Monthly Sales Monthly Birthstone Guide Monthly Birthdays and Anniversaries and New Hires Loyalty Pawn’s Core Goals, Values and Visions Employee Services Corner
Team Loyalty! Happy Valentine’s Day! We do not have any more kings game lefts for this season so please do not request any. We do have many events left and have also added a few new events, so make sure to get those requests in. We are so thankful for the hard work and dedication to Loyalty Pawn from each and every team member, so thank you all very much, keep doing an amazing job! Don’t forget that this month there is an extra day because of leap year. Lastly, if anyone has any suggestions for new things that we can add to the newsletter please reach out and let me know.
President’s Letter Hello Team Loyalty, I hope your 2024 has started off better than mine! I lost a dear friend as many of you know, Seth Ward. He was an industry insurance provider and an icon in the pawn industry. Seth supported the California Pawnbroker Association for as long as I can remember, he sat on the board of directors as co-chair of the vendor council. He had mor contacts in the United States than anyone else in the industry, he involved himself in every state association and many times in natural disasters he would load up his truck with supplies and head to that part of the country. It did not matter to Seth if the shop that was affected by the natural disaster was his client or not. Seth was there for the entire pawn industry. When he came to Northern California he would stay at my house, he loved my kids as an uncle, I have traveled with Seth and his wife on several separate occasions. I will miss him, and the pawn industry will miss him. Please keep Seth and his family in your prayers, he left behind his wife, two children and a brand-new grandbaby. There have been other medical issues that have come up, not with me, but with my future in-laws and have had some trees come down at my house, Ugh. Welcome to 2024! Enough of that the Kansas City Chiefs are heading to the Super Bowl, again! Yay!! Sorry for all the 49er fans out there but the Chiefs are winning this game. The Chiefs are not the only good news from January we hit another record month in our pawn service charges. Let us keep up the amazing work and work on the loan rewrites, that keeps our loan balance high and our service charges coming in strong. In closing, tax season is coming try to push those sales and add-ons. Thank you for all the hard work and commitment to the Loyalty Pawn Family. Thank You, Stan Lukowicz, III
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Letter from the General Manager Greetings, Loyalty Pawn Team, We are thrilled to announce some remarkable achievements within our sales teams! Florin and Roseville exceeded expectations by surpassing their sales goals by 20%, showcasing their dedication and hard work. We continue to challenge ourselves by the goals that we create. The benchmark for improvement comes from year-over-year data. With Loyalty Pawns professional and engaged teams, we will aspire to hit these goals each month! Congratulations to both Florin and Roseville on their outstanding performances. Furthermore, Broadway has achieved their sales goal of 5%, demonstrating the team's commitment to excellence. Great job, Broadway Team! Let’s also take a moment to acknowledge our top performers for January 2024 1. Dominic Tognolini -1st place 2. Norma Bobadilla – 2nd place 3. Ah Xiong – 3rd place Your dedication and exemplary efforts have not gone unnoticed- congratulations to each of you for your outstanding contributions. In other news, as we approach the tax refund season, we anticipate clients bringing in funds to redeem their loans or opt for a replacement loan. Take this opportunity to remind them about our layaway program, providing them with flexible options to manage their financial needs. Once again, congratulations to the Floring, Roseville, Broadway, and our top sales performers! Your hard work and commitment continue to drive our success. Best Regards, Wayne Silliman General Manager “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” -Will Rogers
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Loyalty Pawn Family Greetings, Loyalty family! Can you believe it's already February already? First of all, let's celebrate the amazing service charges we achieved last month. Congratulations to all the stores that were able to meet their retail sales goals. El Camino, we have some work to do, but remember, this is a new month, and we have all the tools at our disposal to not only meet our goals but surpass our stretch goals. I must say, we've been doing a fantastic job of posting our inventory online. Whenever someone asks if we have something in the store, I simply hop on loyaltypawn.com, search for what they're looking for, and share the link directly to their phones. Now, they can see everything that's available for sale on our branded website. Speaking of goals, I have a Super Bowl prediction to share with you all. I believe the Chiefs will emerge victorious this year. Let's hope my prediction comes true! Just like in football, achieving our goals requires dedication, teamwork, and utilizing all the resources available to us. As the great Vince Lombardi once said, "The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender." Let's be inspired by these words and give it our all this month. On another note, it's time to get to know Dominic and SLA from the Roseville team. Together, we can achieve greatness! 1. 2. 3. 4.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off? Playing Golf Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why? Going to Italy What was your favorite age growing up? 21 Do you have a favorite holiday? Why or why not? Thanksgiving and Christmas. Love to spend quality time with Family! 5. What was the last thing you read? How to Win Friends and Influence People! 6. What was the last TV show you binge-watched? Homeland 7. Are you into podcasts or do you only listen to music? Only Listen to Music. 8. What's one thing that can instantly make your day better? Hitting my Sales Goal 9. What’s one goal you have for this year personally and professionally? Playing more golf, continuing to be Top Salesperson, Helping others 10. Ideally, how would you spend your birthday? Playing Golf 11. What's your favorite board game? Chess and Cribbage 12. What’s the best way the company can celebrate you and your team for successes? Cash Bonuses and a nice Dinner 13. What causes are you passionate about? Shiners Childrens Hospital and SPCA 14. What’s an essential part of your daily routine? Being Punctual and working every Deal to the Fullest! 15. Who or what inspires you in your career? Self-Motivated! 16. What’s something an outsider wouldn’t know about your industry? How long it takes to be proficient in the Pawn Business. People have no idea what we do day in and day out and how much we help people in need! If you don’t learn something daily, you are not trying! 17. What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of? Reaching my Daily, Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Goals! Learning Daily and Strive to Become the best I can be! 18. Do you believe in having a "five-year plan"? YES 19. What’s the best piece of advice a family member has given you? Stay Focused and Positive Daily 20. What is your definition of success? To Accomplish something you have set out to do
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Security Awareness Money laundering is a serious concern in the pawn and jewelry industry, as it can be an attractive avenue for criminals seeking to legitimize illicit funds. This aims to provide valuable insights into what to watch out for and how to prevent money laundering when dealing with individual clients in the pawn and jewelry industry. Emphasizing the importance of qualifying clients and utilizing the OFAC Sanction website through BRAVO, this guide will help you understand and implement effective preventive measures. Understanding Money Laundering: Money laundering involves disguising the origins of illegally obtained funds to make them appear legitimate. Within the pawn and jewelry industry, this can occur through various means, such as using valuable items as collateral or purchasing jewelry with illicit funds. To effectively combat money laundering, it is crucial to comprehend its stages: 1. Placement: Illicit funds are introduced into the financial system, often through pawn transactions or jewelry purchases. 2. Layering: Complex transactions are conducted to obscure the source and ownership of the funds, making it difficult to trace their origins. 3. Integration: The "cleaned" funds are integrated back into the legitimate economy, typically through the sale of pawned items or jewelry. Qualifying Clients: Qualifying clients is a fundamental step in preventing money laundering within the pawn and jewelry industry. By implementing thorough due diligence, you can identify potential red flags and high-risk individuals. Here are key aspects to consider: 1. Source of Funds: Investigate the source of clients' funds and ensure they align with their financial activities. Look out for inconsistent or unexplained sources of income. 2. Unusual Transactions: Be vigilant about transactions that deviate from a client's known patterns. Large cash deposits, frequent international transfers, or sudden changes in behavior may indicate money laundering. 3. Suspicious Items: Pay attention to high-value items brought in for pawn or sale, especially if they appear to be overvalued or have questionable ownership documentation. Using the OFAC Sanction Website and BRAVO: The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) maintains a comprehensive list of individuals and entities associated with sanctions and prohibited activities. When dealing with individual clients in the pawn and jewelry industry, it is vital to consult the OFAC Sanction website and cross-reference client information through BRAVO. Here's why: 5
1. Identifying Sanctioned Individuals: The OFAC Sanction website helps quickly determine if a client is subject to any sanctions or restrictions. This information is crucial in avoiding involvement in illegal activities. 2. Ensuring Compliance: Utilizing BRAVO to access client information ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. Regularly updating and cross-referencing client details helps mitigate the risks associated with money laundering. Preventing Money Laundering: In addition to qualifying clients and utilizing the OFAC Sanction website, the following preventive measures should be implemented within the pawn and jewelry industry: 1. Staff Training: Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees on identifying money laundering red flags and the importance of compliance. Provide guidance on handling suspicious transactions and reporting procedures. 2. Enhanced Transaction Monitoring: Implement robust transaction monitoring systems that can identify unusual patterns, high-value transactions, or frequent account changes. 3. Suspicion Reporting: Encourage employees to report any suspicious activities promptly. Establish clear procedures for reporting, investigating, and documenting such incidents.
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Shop Talk Manager Updates El Camino Our Team Loyalty, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! 🎉 Super excited for the Superbowl, even though our Raiders aren't in the game. My vote is with the Kansas City Chiefs this time, not just because of Mahomes but because Taylor Swift's tunes perfectly capture the vibe of the 49ers. "Sweet Nothing" hahahah. Love is in the air as we gear up for another retail extravaganza! Our target for 2024 is hitting a whopping $88,000 in retail sales. Time to channel our inner sales champs - coffee for closers, right? Our layaway game has been on fire, thanks to everyone's killer efforts. December sales were so, so, but loans shot up through the roof just like Travis Kelce jersey. We are working hard to increase our layaway balance to $120,000 this year. We're offering QR codes to our awesome clients, inviting them to check out our online stores. Let's shine the spotlight on our e-commerce! Our social media game is killing it on every platform. The videos featuring Loyalty Pawn are making us feel like local celebs. Clients spotting us and going, "Hey, you're the guy from the video!". Beyond raking in crazy loan balances and being loaded with luxury leather goods, we're all set for February. Here's to an awesome month ahead! Cheers, Tony Mora
Roseville Hello Team Loyalty, We're thrilled to kick off February with a bang after hitting our sales goal for January! Thanks to the support of our amazing team Danni Dom Brittany and Matthew and dedicated of our awesome customers, we've started the year on a strong note. Great jo team Roseville! As we dive into February, we're excited to announce our latest jewelry ad campaign. With stunning pieces and unbeatable prices, we're confident it will capture the attention of both new and returning customers. Whether they are shopping for a special Valentine's Day gift or simply treating themself our selection has something for everyone. Big shoutout to Wayne and Broadway for getting us jewelry and filling our cases. Thank you! We're committed to maintaining this momentum and pushing towards our sales goal for February. With your continued support, we're confident that together, we can make this month another success. Justin Martinez
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Broadway Hello Team, In January, we achieved a significant milestone by surpassing our 5% sales goal, a testament to our team's dedication and strategic efforts. Rigorous audits and meticulous layaway pull processes played a pivotal role in ensuring operational excellence. Additionally, our commitment to enhancing our online presence was underscored by comprehensive eBay training for the team. This investment in skill development has not only fortified our e-commerce capabilities but also contributed to a more consistent and impactful online representation. The synergy of these initiatives positions us for continued success and growth in the dynamic market landscape. John Mark
Florin Mall Hello Everyone, I hope everyone had a great start to the new year. Team Florin currently has a loan balance of $1.9 million. Our sales goal for the month of January was to hit $71k, which was a 20% increase compared to last January. I'm pleased to announce that we exceeded our goal and ended January with $72.1k in sales. Well done, Florin Team! For the month of February, Team Florin will aim for at least $84.6k in sales. Our stretch goal is to achieve a 20% increase from last February, which would be $96.7k. This will be a challenging goal, but I have full confidence that we can achieve it, especially with Valentine's Day approaching. Currently, Team Florin has a layaway balance of $97.2k, with 42 new layaways secured in January. Our goal is to reach a layaway balance of $200k. We are going to be working hard to achieve these sales and layaway goals. I'm excited to see who will take first place in both sales and layaway balance for February. Best of luck to everyone!
"Keep digging - do your best.” Mark Xiong
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Top Performers in January 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sales
Productivity
Phys Transactions
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
David Palomares (Florin #2)
Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
Ah Xiong (Florin #2)
Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
David Palomares (Florin #2)
Josh Bonton (Broadway #4)
Ah Xiong (Florin #2)
Ah Xiong (Florin #2)
Dominic Morales (Broadway #4)
Danni Robinson (Roseville #3)
Matthew Stevens (Roseville #3)
January End of Month Balances Loyalty Pawn #1 El Camino Loyalty Pawn #2 Florin Loyalty Pawn #3 Roseville Loyalty Pawn #4 Broadway
Loan Balance
Purchases
Layaway Balance
$1,753,305.00 $1,958,857.00 $1,200,380.00 $1,078,126.00
$17,627.50 $20,228.00 $21,547.50 $17,031.00
$79,909.93 $97,244.37 $73,787.41 $98,336.23
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Golden 1 Center Upcoming Events Below is the list of events that are posted as of right now and we will be adding events to this list each month as they get posted! The events in green are available and the events in red have already been spoken for. If you would like to request tickets send you ticket request forms to lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com so that I can get your requests in and if you need a request form email lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com and I can send you a copy! With the Golden 1 Center opening back up there is a limited number of tickets available, so for every event you are only allowed to request and receive 4 tickets per event!
Event
Day
Date
Time
Harlem Globetrotters
January 15th
Monday
1:00 PM
Harlem Globetrotters
January 15th
Monday
6:00 PM
Cody Johnson
January 19th
Friday
8:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 26th
Friday
7:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 27th
Saturday
1:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 27th
Saturday
7:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 28th
Sunday
1:00 PM
PBR
February 2nd
Friday
7:45 PM
PBR
February 3rd
Saturday
6:45 PM
PBR
February 4th
Sunday
1:45 PM
Toby Mac
February 8th
Thursday
7:00 PM
Gloria Trevi
February 10th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 15th
Thursday
7:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 16th
Friday
7:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 17th
Saturday
11:00 AM
Disney on Ice
February 17th
Saturday
3:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 17th
Saturday
7:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 18th
Sunday
11:00 AM
Disney on Ice
February 18th
Sunday
3:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 18th
Sunday
7:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 19th
Monday
11:00 AM
Disney on Ice
February 19th
Monday
3:00 PM
Madonna
February 24th
Saturday
8:00 PM
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Playpoi Carti
February 25th
Sunday
8:00 PM
Marca MP
March 1st
Friday
7:30 PM
Fall Out Boy
March 3rd
Sunday
6:30 PM
Bad Bunny
March 5th
Tuesday
8:00 PM
Nate Bargatze
April 5th
Friday
8:00 PM
Luis Miguel
April 7th
Sunday
8:00 PM
Gabriel Iglacias
April 20th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Kane Brown
May 10th
Friday
7:00 PM
Kane Brown
May 11th
Saturday
7:00 PM
NF
June 8th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Janet Jackson
June 11th
Tuesday
8:00 PM
Panter Belico
June 22nd
Saturday
8:00 PM
Tim McGraw
June 29th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Pepe Aguilar
July 29th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Los Temerarios
August 24th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Hozier
September 9th
Monday
8:00 PM
Franco Escamilla
September 28th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Zach Bryan
November 29th
Friday
8:00 PM
Zach Bryan
November 30th
Saturday
8:00 PM
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January Sales Flyer
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Monthly Birthstone Guide This will help educate you about some of the more popular semi and precious stones we come across and it will also help you close some more sales. The idea is to educate you on each month’s birthstone as you can arrange your cases properly and make suggestions to our clients that may be browsing or even looking for a gift. Let’s think outside the box when utilizing this information.
JANUARY – Garnet
FEBRUARY -- Amethyst
MARCH – Aquamarine
APRIL – Diamond
MAY – Emerald
JUNE –Pearl & Alexandrite
JULY – Ruby
AUGUST – Peridot
SEPTEMBER – Sapphire
OCTOBER – Opal & Tourmaline
NOVEMBER – Citrine & Topaz
DECEMBER – Topaz & Turquoise
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Anniversaries, Birthdays and New Hires February Anniversaries Norma Bobadilla 4 years
February Birthdays Dominic Tognolini February 19th
January New Hires We don’t have any new hires this month.
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Loyalty Pawn’s Goals, Values, and Visions “The Leader in Local Lending” Company Wide Goals • To Offer Immediate Relief with a Short-Term Loan. • To Develop, Recruit and Inspire an Elite Work Force, Driven by
Loyal Business Practices. • To Provide the Highest Standard of Quality, Commitment and Value to Every Customer in Our Loyalty Pawn Family!
Core Values • Loyalty • Dedication • Creativity
Company Vision • Loyal People Committed to Everyday Satisfaction
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Loyalty Pawn Employee Services Corner It is Still Winter Here delicate snow-stars, out of the cloud, Come floating downward in airy play, Like spangles dropped from the glistening crowd That whiten by night the milky way. “The Snow-Shower,” by William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878) FEBRUARY… MORE THAN JUST VALENTINES DAY February is African-American History Month. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. Among the notable figures often spotlighted during Black History Month are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for equal rights for Blacks during the 1950s and ’60s; Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American justice appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1967; Mae Jemison, who became the first female African-American astronaut to travel to space in 1992; and Barack Obama, who was elected the first-ever African-American president of the United States in 2008. More recently Ketanji Brown Jackson has been sworn in as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, becoming the first Black woman to serve as a justice in the 232-year history of the Court. February comes from the Latin word februa, which means “to cleanse.” The month was named after the Roman Februalia, which was a monthlong festival of purification and atonement that took place this time of year Did you know: •
• •
February is the only month to have a length of fewer than 30 days! Though it’s usually 28 days, February is 29 days long in leap years such as 2020 and 2024. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar (c. 713 BC); originally, winter was considered a month-less period. Originally, February was made the last month of the calendar year. Eventually (c. 450 BC), February was moved to its place as the second month. 16
CELEBRATION DAYS IN FEBRUARY • • • • • • • • • • •
February 2 is Groundhog Day—the day we find out whether winter will last six more weeks or call it quits early. How did this quirky tradition get started? February 10 is the Lunar New Year. Celebrated widely throughout East Asia, this holiday begins with the first new Moon after the Winter Solstice and is associated with the Chinese Zodiac. February 11 is the Super Bowl in 2024. February 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. The 16th president of the United States was born in a one-room, 16x18-foot log cabin with a dirt floor. February 13 is Mardi Gras (aka “Fat Tuesday” or Shrove Tuesday), which is the final feasting day before the Christian tradition of Lent begins on the following day, Ash Wednesday. February 14 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent. February 14 is always Valentine’s Day. Heads up, lovebirds! Today, the holiday is celebrated with love, flowers, and my very best favorite, chocolate! February 15 is Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday. How much do you know about this women’s rights leader? February 15 is also National Flag of Canada Day! February 19 brings Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday also known as Washington’s Birthday that is celebrated on the third Monday in February. (George Washington’s actual birthday is February 22!) February 29 is Leap Day! Happening once every four years, we are given an extra day in February. Some think this day brings good luck.
INDULGENT HOT CHOCOLATE-not just for lovers! Chocolate Whipped Cream •
• •
2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk or sweetened condensed coconut milk (from 1 [11 1/4-ounce] can) 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Guittard or Ghirardelli Cocoa Rouge Unsweetened Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder) 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 2/3 cup heavy cream, chilled
Hot Chocolate • •
• • • • •
1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk , well shaken and stirred 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Guittard Cocoa Rouge Unsweetened Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder), plus more if needed (about 1 1/8 ounces) 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar, preferably organic for deeper flavor, plus more if needed 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt (optional) Water, as needed 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Shaved or grated chocolate of choice
Make the chocolate whipped cream:
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1. Stir together condensed milk, cocoa powder, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour in cream; briefly stir and scrape down sides of bowl to combine well. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Cover and chill until ready to use Make the Hot Chocolate: 1. Whisk together coconut milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt, if using, in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium, whisking often, until mixture comes to a gentle simmer, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, whisking often, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Taste hot chocolate, and whisk in additional cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed for earthy depth; or additional sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, to curb bitterness; or water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to dilute. As needed, reheat hot chocolate in pan over medium, whisking to incorporate well. Remove from heat. 2. Let hot chocolate cool 3 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Pour evenly into 4 small cups. Top each with 1/4 cup chocolate whipped cream. Garnish with shaved chocolate and serve. 401K-Loyalty Pawn Retirement $avings Program Are you saving for retirement? Why not start today? If you have completed 12 months of service with Loyalty Pawn, you’re eligible to participate and start putting away those pretax (or post tax Roth) dollars into your very own 401k account. To enroll, send me an email and I’ll help you get started. Contact Employee Services at employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com Start saving for retirement’s tomorrow, today! 401(k) Plans: 10 Things You Should Know • There are rules for 401(k) plans. ... • Early retirees can start withdrawals at age 55. • Taxes depend on the type of 401(k) • Loyalty Pawn has set some fantastic investment options. • Moving to an IRA has become a lot easier. • You can consolidate multiple 401(k) plans Highlights of changes for 2024. The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k) as well as the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan is increased to $23,000, up from $22,500. The limit on annual contributions to an Traditional CD IRA increased to $7,000, up from $6,500. Need 401k investment advice? No worries! Call or email John Malhotra today! John S. Malhotra Principal Securities Registered Representative CA Insurance License # 0K09207 d (916) 607-9754 | f (844) 295-8527 | e malhotra.john@principal.com
If you need HR, Payroll, Benefits, or Family support, Loyalty Pawn’s Employee Services is only a phone call, text message, or email away, on demand, anytime! 916-752-2255 employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com 18
Loyalty Pawn Corporate Office: 1708 Broadway Sacramento, Ca 95818
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