Video

Q4 Market Update

In our Year-End Market Update, Managing Director Lance Gunkel and Chief Investment Officer Jason Gunkel share their insights on why the stock market performed so well and the bond market didn’t, what the Fed is expected to do with interest rates and what we can possibly expect from the market in 2025. Tune in to the full video here.  

Podcast

Managing Finances as a Caregiver

Caregiving in any form, while rewarding, can be physically, mentally and financially taxing. In this short Finance Moment podcast episode, Associate Financial Planner Damian Beard shares 4 tips to manage the financial side of caregiving. You can listen to the full episode here. 

Financial Update

Investment Change Notification

Our investment team has decided to make a couple of adjustments to our “Yield Models” that serve as cash reserve accounts for many of our clients. You can expect these changes to occur at the end of the month and you should be able to see this activity on your January statements. We do not anticipate these trades to have negative tax consequences. These changes will automatically occur without any action needed from you but please reach out to your planning team with any questions. You can read the full email sent on Jan. 16 here.

Events

• Feb. 18 & 25, 2025: Financial Foundations @ Syverson Strege Office; 5:30-7:30 p.m. both days – this FREE two-part course is designed for individuals ages 18 and older. (Zoom option available.) Learn more and register here, or RSVP for these events to Deb Longseth at (515) 225-6000 or dlongseth@onlyworkforyou.com.

Save the Date!

• March 11: Estate Execution Workshop @ Syverson Strege Office; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch will be provided) – Zoom option also available. Please register here.
• March 18: NCAA Tournament Client Bracket Begins – stay tuned for details on how to participate.
•  March 28: Client Bingo Social @ Syverson Strege Office; 1:30-3:00 p.m. Join us for a fun bingo event, catch up with old friends and make new ones, and play for the chance to win prizes! Please RSVP here so we know how many players to plan for.
•  April 5: Easter Egg Hunt @ Syverson Strege Office (green space near the northeast corner of the building); 2-4:00 p.m. Bring your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to our stress-free Easter Egg hunt. Children will be given an egg carton; they will collect 12 eggs and then redeem them for a prize. We will also have spring-themed activities and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny. Please RSVP here so we know how many children to plan for.
• May 7-9: Document Shredding & Tech Disposal Days @ Syverson Strege Office – stay tuned for details about this event.

Inside Look

Five Team Members Earn Promotions

• Wayne Johnson, MBA, CFP®, AEP®, CAP®, is now a Lead Planner II. He has been with the firm for 17 years.
• Tim Roemmich, CFP®, CASL®, is now a Senior Associate Financial Planner II. He has been with the firm for 20 years.
• Ben Geiger, CFP®, is now a Service Planner. He has been with the firm for six years.
• Mike Murkins, CFP®, is now a Service Planner. He has been with the firm for five years.
• Cameron Pietzsch is now an Associate Financial Planner. He has been with the firm for two years and recently passed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ exam.

Office Closure

The Syverson Strege office will be closed Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Out and About

Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference

Chief Planning Officer Matt Roberts was a panel speaker during the “Charting the Steps of Farm Succession” short course during the Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference in Des Moines this month. In addition, several members of our team got the chance to see old friends and meet many new faces while working the Syverson Strege booth.