When it comes to navigating the complexities of trust administration, having the right team in place is essential. On this episode of Metcalf Money Moment, hosts Jeb, Ethan, and Eric welcome Randy Kimmel from BOK Financial Advisor Trust Services for an in-depth discussion about corporate trustees. Together, they cover everything from handling special assets and dynasty trusts to maintaining family harmony and managing trustee duties with clarity and confidence. If you’re looking for practical insights on wealth management and securing your family’s financial future, this episode offers valuable guidance.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Trust documents and estate documents, highlighting impartial trust administration decisions
• (01:22) Role of a corporate trustee as executor to prevent conflict during estate settlement
• (02:35) BOK Financial specializes in working with financial advisors in estate settlements
• (06:08) How a corporate trustee preserves family harmony in beneficiary guidance and distributions
• (10:21) Risks of serving as an individual trustee: their personal wealth is exposed
• (11:37) Process of when the Corporate trustee should become involved
• (16:28) Dedicated teams simplify oversight of complex assets, ensuring asset management
• (18:36) Randy offers advice on choosing between family members or a corporate trustee

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• A corporate trustee helps ensure smooth trust administration and estate settlement, removing emotional decision-making and protecting family harmony. By acting as a neutral third party, they reduce conflict and keep the process focused on honoring your wishes.
• Effective estate planning, including clear estate documents and professional oversight, safeguards legacy protection and ensures proper management of assets. This proactive approach ensures that wealth transitions seamlessly to future generations.
• Understanding fiduciary responsibilities and the complexities of trustee duties is crucial​​ for maintaining fairness and providing lasting beneficiary guidance to beneficiaries. With expert support, families can feel confident that decisions are being made with both integrity and compliance in mind.

RESOURCES:

Metcalf Partners - Website

Jeb Graham - LinkedIn

Ethan Hutchison - LinkedIn

Eric Wymore - LinkedIn

Randy Kimmel - LinkedIn

BOK Financial - Website

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY:

Randy Kimmel brings 29 years of experience in banking and finance, having joined BOK Financial in 2000 and spent over 20 years with the company. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas. He has expertise in executive banking leadership, trust administration, family office services, and providing trust solutions for financial advisors and their...

Wondering how to navigate the world of Social Security? Join financial advisors Jeb, Ethan and Eric as they tackle one of the most critical topics for retirees. This episode provides a clear overview of how Social Security works, from eligibility requirements and the Full Retirement Age to the often-overlooked spousal benefit. They offer valuable insights into the pros and cons of claiming social security early versus late. The hosts also address the big question on everyone's mind: what is the future of Social Security? Tune in for expert advice regarding this essential component of your retirement planning.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Opening
• (02:50) Social Security is funded through FICA taxes paid by employees and employers
• (04:43) Concerns about the stability of social security in the future
• (08:36) Rules for eligibility, full retirement age and how the benefit is calculated
• (12:30) Discussion of spousal benefit and Social Security income could be considered taxable
• (15:19) The break-even point of taking money out of the system and portfolio value
• (20:05) Use the SSA website to print your Social Security statement and share it with your financial advisor

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Social Security Basics: The program is funded by payroll taxes, requiring 40 work credits for eligibility. Benefits are based on your 35 highest-earning years, with a full retirement age that varies. A spousal benefit ensures a lower-earning spouse can receive up to 50% of their partner's benefit.
• Claiming Strategy Matters: Claiming benefits early at age 62 results in a permanent reduction, while waiting until age 70 provides a higher monthly payout. The best claiming strategy depends on individual health, longevity, and its impact on your total investment portfolio.
• The Future of the Program: The Social Security trust fund is projected to be depleted in the 2030s, which would likely lead to reduced benefits, not elimination. Solutions to secure the program include adjusting the FICA tax wage base or increasing the tax rate.

RESOURCES:

Metcalf Partners - Website

Jeb Graham - LinkedIn

Ethan Hutchison - LinkedIn

Eric Wymore - LinkedIn

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.

ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Jeb Graham:

Jeb is the CEO and Managing Partner at Metcalf Partners Wealth Management. Before founding Metcalf Partners, he was a financial advisor in Overland Park, Kansas. Active in the Kansas City community, Jeb serves on the Kansas City Chapter Board of the Entrepreneur Organization (EO). He holds a finance degree from Kansas State University and a CFP® designation, and he received additional executive education in retirement planning from Wharton.

Ethan Hutcheson:

Ethan is a Partner and Financial Planner at Metcalf Partners. He is passionate about helping people prepare, plan, and execute their goals. With a career in Financial Services, his expertise spans Financial Planning, Tax, and Investment Management. Outside of work, Ethan enjoys

Are you feeling stuck between rising home prices and unpredictable interest rates? Do mortgage headlines leave you with more questions than answers? In this episode, hosts Jeb, Ethan, and Eric are joined by Jared Bahr of Arvest Bank to cut through the noise. He discusses the relationship between the federal funds rate and mortgage lending, the role of the 10-year treasury note, and introduces you to innovative, underused home loan strategies that just might change the way you think about buying—or refinancing—a home.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Opening
• (02:59) The 10-year Treasury note is a better indicator of mortgage lending rates than the Fed's short-term rate cuts
• (05:33) Buy the home, refinance later — act now before housing prices climb
• (11:08) Jared outlines creative home loan strategies for high-net-worth borrowers
• (13:45) Jared shares critical dos and don’ts for first-time or high net worth homebuyers
• (18:34) Home equity lines of credit, bridge loans and recasting mortgage payments

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Interest rates are expected to decrease gradually, but borrowers should understand the difference between adjustable-rate mortgages tied to short-term rates and fixed-rate mortgages, which are influenced more by the 10-year treasury note than by the federal funds rate.
• Buying now with a higher mortgage lending rate and refinancing later may be smarter than waiting—because housing prices are likely to continue climbing. As Jared Bahr puts it, you can "marry the house, date the rate."
• Lenders like Arvest Bank offer flexible options for high-net-worth borrowers and first-time homebuyers.

RESOURCES:

Metcalf Partners - Website

Jeb Graham - LinkedIn

Ethan Hutchison - LinkedIn

Eric Wymore - LinkedIn

Arvest Bank

Jared Bahr - Arvest Bank

Jared Bahr - LinkedIn

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY:

Jared Bahr is a University of Missouri graduate with 15 years of experience as a residential mortgage lender. As Vice President and Mortgage Lending Supervisor at Arvest Bank, a regional bank headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, they contribute to a community-focused institution with over 200 branches across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Arvest, established in 1961 and primarily owned by the Walton family, offers a range of financial services, including mortgage loans and deposits. Arvest has grown through acquisitions, such as Bear State Financial in 2018, with total assets exceeding $26 billion.