When Wall Street News Causes Main Street Angst

In Turbulent Markets, Consumers Need Trusted Advisors

In response to a virtual avalanche of media coverage focusing on turbulence in the financial markets these past weeks, Conover Feek reiterates the importance of sound financial advice, stressing that the worth of your trusted advisors is never more important than in unsure economic times.

At times like this, you may be wondering about the financial strength of your insurance carriers. While no company operating in the capital markets is immune from economic challenges, the life insurance industry is well positioned to weather this recent storm.

The Fed's announced rescue of a major life insurance conglomerate is drawing heavy attention, coming on the heels of problems in the real estate, mortgage and other financial sectors. While the dust hasn't settled, the problem appears to be located in the non-insurance entities which are not subject to the traditional conservative requirements of reserves, oversight and guaranteed fund protection that has long made the insurance industry, and life insurance itself, a source of strength and stability in our economy.

Our offices have a great deal of helpful information at our fingertips, and we have access to many resources to effectively assist you. Government and regulatory bodies are distributing news and information about the global financial situation, while insurance and financial services companies are providing thoughtful direction regarding specific products.

The national economic landscape is undeniably turbulent. While a number of financial institutions are reeling from these circumstances, Conover Feek continues to exceed expectations for its private clients. It is not because we are clairvoyant, but because our years of experience, independence and due diligence have given us the perspective to recommend products and services that have disciplined financial practices and stable long-term results. Fiscally conservative management allows us to weather economic uncertainty and ensures that we will continue keeping our financial commitment to you. -- Jim

“If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.” --Henry Ford

A lot of pundits are calling the disastrous economic news of the past month a “meltdown.” When some of our largest financial institutions go out of business, have to be sold or need a government bailout, what else could you call it? Then, of course, there’s the stock market’s inevitable adverse reaction to all of the bad news, and what happens on Wall Street comes home to Main Street. None of us is immune from the illness of the economy, whether we suffer losses financially, psychologically or just in our sense of security.

Hopefully, our firm’s investors are able to retain a higher degree of their sense of security because of the investments they have made in the direct-placement, hard-asset investments in which we specialize. Whether it is a non-traded real estate investment trust, an energy production program, an equipment leasing fund or another direct investment, these are the types of investments that don’t march in lock-step with the stock and bond markets. Historically, they have limited the volatility of portfolios in times like these, so they are in a better position when the markets rebound (as they always have).

Please contact me if you would like to learn more about how to balance your portfolio with non-volatile, non-traded direct placements.   -- Gary

Through the years, many of us have purchased various life insurance products to protect our families, create efficient estates, retire debt or provide benefit plan coverage. It is conceivable that these various policies can be combined or restructured, allowing you to take advantage of the more powerful and robust products that have emerged in the industry, providing stronger guarantees at a lower cost. The most effective method to provide you this information is an "insurance audit."

This process entails our detailed analysis of your current policies. Based upon medical technology resulting in underwriting advances, we have found that policyholders often can either:

1. Maintain current coverage with less premium or
2. Increase their coverage with the same premium ... all with GUARANTEES

You will know the results upon completion of this "Comprehensive Analysis" to find if an adjustment to your insurance portfolio is advantageous to you.

I would be happy to assist you with this strategy.   -- David Harry

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