ACUMEN definition: acu•men (akyoo·men).
     -Noun: Keenness and depth of perception, insight, discernment, or discrimination
     especially in practical matters.

Welcome to our Web site, where you’ll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, and investment data.

We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. We have created this Web site to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation. Most important, we hope you see the value of working with skilled professionals to pursue your financial goals.

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Calculators

Taxable Equivalent Yield

Calculate the rate of return you would have to receive from a taxable investment to realize an equivalent tax-exempt yield.

Retirement Plan Early Distribution

Estimate how much would remain after paying income taxes and penalties if you took an early distribution from a retirement plan.

Lease Interest

What's the interest rate on the lease you're considering?

Savings Accumulation

Estimate the future value of your current savings.

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Newsletters

How Interest Rates Can Influence Financial Decisions

The Federal Reserve has relied on its control of short-term interest rates to influence economic activity. Adjusting interest rates might seem to be an overly simple solution for steering the world's most powerful economy, but few mechanisms can influence behavior more effectively than interest rates.

Protection from a Range of Liability Claims

It's projected that American companies will face $183 billion in tort costs in 2011, and $152 billion of that will land on the books of small businesses. Fortunately, there are several forms of business liability insurance that can help offset these unforeseen costs.

Insurance for Two Could Benefit Your Heirs

Survivorship life insurance offers a way to help a couple's heirs pay estate taxes, probate costs, and other final expenses — and could be especially important after 2012 when the federal estate tax is scheduled to be significantly higher. Even if the estate tax doesn't apply to an estate, the insurance proceeds could benefit heirs or a favorite charity.

Evaluating Life Insurance Needs

It's a good idea for people to evaluate their life insurance coverage to help ensure it keeps pace with their needs. Not only do major life events affect the amount of coverage that may be needed, but inflation can reduce the purchasing power of the death benefit and a greater benefit may be needed to cover estate taxes and other debts.

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