Claiming Social Security While Working
A few things to consider before going on claim. For many Americans, retirement isn’t a single event — it’s a transition. Some reduce hours, some change careers, and others keep working because they enjoy what they do. Whatever your path, understanding how work affects your Social Security benefits is key to making smart decisions. Full […]
The $40,000 SALT Deduction: What California Homeowners Need to Know
What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for high-income Californians and how to make the most of it before 2030. If you own a home in California, pay state income taxes, and have been frustrated by the $10,000 cap on your federal SALT deduction for the past seven years, your wait is over. Starting […]
Market Insights – April 2026
A Difficult Start to the Year The first quarter of 2026 was a rough stretch for investors. AI-related disruption and the February 28th strike on Iran combined to produce the worst first-quarter performance since 2022. The S&P 500 finished the quarter down -4.6%, and there were few places to hide — bonds declined -0.5% as […]
Channel Wealth Expands in Santa Barbara After Reaching $1B AUM
Channel Wealth was featured in the Pacific Coast Business Times after announcing it has surpassed $1 billion in client assets (as of November 2025) and is expanding with a new State Street office—reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Santa Barbara community. The firm, founded in 2020, provides comprehensive portfolio management and personalized financial planning to […]
Maria Vallejo Meza Featured in Pacific Business Times
Maria Vallejo Meza, Wealth Advisor at Channel Wealth, was recently featured in the Pacific Business Times through Women & Co.’s Women & Wealth Q&A panel. In the feature, Maria shares a practical approach to wealth management in Santa Barbara: clarify your financial “why,” break goals into manageable steps, and schedule consistent check-ins to track progress […]
2026 Outlook – CIO Commentary
Dear Investors, We are pleased to welcome you to the new year and present our 2026 Market Outlook Report. Closing out 2025, global stock markets delivered a spectacular performance. Despite initial volatility surrounding President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, the U.S. market rose like a phoenix, powered by robust corporate earnings. The S&P 500 gained 17.9% […]
Market Insights – October 2025
Executive Summary As we enter the final quarter of 2025, investors are navigating a landscape shaped by shifting economic policies, technological advancements, and global events. In this edition, we’ll highlight key market trends, provide actionable insights, and share expert perspectives to help you make informed decisions. In this issue: Market & Economic Summary Higher Equity […]
2025 Mid-Year Market Review
Executive Summary Summer is in full swing; there’s something about this season that invites adventure, spontaneity, and a little bit of nostalgia. For investment managers, it is time to take stock of our investment themes, and to think about where the market might be taking us. The year began with optimism, but markets were rocked […]
Quarterly Insights – May 2025
The first quarter of 2025 proved to be a volatile ride with the U.S. stock market hitting new record highs to begin the quarter, followed by sharp declines precipitated by President Trump’s tariff announcements. International markets fared much better than the U.S., and fixed income also performed well, as investors sought safety amid the heightened […]
2025 1st Quarter Insights
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Equity markets backed up 2023 strong gains with another stellar year in 2024, underpinned by healthy economic growth in the U.S. Fixed income portfolios recorded modestly positive returns for the year, with yields falling for short maturity issues and rising for bonds of longer duration. Resilience of the U.S. economy defied widespread expectations […]