[view in e-news format] Think about all that we do online nowadays – shopping, banking, listening to music, making travel plans across the country or across town. We live much of our lives online, including communicating with loved ones, friends and co-workers. All of those activities are protected by passwords or biometrics (facial or fingerprint scans). But if a person …

[view in e-news format] As part of your annual spring cleaning, take some time to reassess your financial goals and long-term plans, and make sure that all of your related documents are up to date. Let’s review some of the most common questions to help you get through the process. Balance Sheets What are the benefits of keeping a personal …

Ranches, dairies, timberlands, wineries, and cranberry bogs are unique to our area. Such businesses are more than a way of making a living. They are about preserving a legacy and unique way of life. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that family-owned farms account for 97 percent of the 2.1 million farms in the U.S. Yet …

If you own a family business and have not yet created an estate plan that includes a very detailed and well-thought-out succession plan for your family business, get started now. Here is why. Years ago, I received a call from an attorney who asked Oregon Pacific Bank to step in for the eldest son serving as successor trustee of his …

Charitable Trusts can be a flexible and efficient piece of a philanthropically inclined individual’s financial plan. Charitable Remainder Trusts have historically been used to create a retirement income stream along with a tax deduction during peak earning years, while Charitable Lead Trusts have been utilized to transfer appreciated assets to beneficiaries in a tax-efficient way. Each of these trusts provides …

Scholarship trusts are a form of charitable trust with the specific philanthropic intent of funding education for a select group of students. While a scholarship trust can be easy to establish, either through a Will or Trust, the program will not be successful without diligent oversight. These trusts present unique challenges regarding investment, taxation, and distribution. Oregon Pacific Bank specializes …