Here are my top intentions for 2025:
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Live a healthier life with more time reflecting, exercising, and a slight reduction of caffeine (oh, how I love my daily afternoon trip to Siblings Coffee)
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Read three historical biographies (I am taking suggestions!)
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Update our wills (it's been far too long!)
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Dive into the BCT Money Management tool to organize my finances (it’s such a cool tool)
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...
Candidly, the third and fourth intentions always get postponed. Why? The good news is they’ve moved up my list this year. Correspondingly, in conversations with clients I’ve noticed a commonality – getting our financial houses in order is something we often say we’ll do “later.” But why wait?
At the end of 2024, getting our financial houses in order was clearly on the minds of some of us. In November, our BCT Investments team hosted an Estate Planning Seminar with a local estate planning attorney. The seminar was held at the Charles Town Library with an option to attend virtually. The room was filled to capacity and over 20 people attended online.
Let’s make 2025 the year we tackle those “later” intentions! Over the next several months, BCT will offer opportunities to learn about estate planning, money management, and other ways to help with your financial fitness. Our goal for 2025 is to provide valuable information to simplify your financial lives, both personally and for your businesses. Here are a few upcoming events:
January 15th – Redefining the Investment Experience by Decluttering the Investment Environment. One of our guest speakers is Matt Lipps with Dimensional Fund Advisors. To register, email our Wealth Advisors team at [email protected] by January 8, 2025.
January 16th – Business, Trades and Contractor Summit. Our guest speakers will address succession planning for your business, contractor general liability insurance, and proven tips to help unlock business success. To register, contact Kristie Hadley at [email protected] by January 9, 2025.
January 22nd – BCT’s 2025 New Years Summit – Planning for Success or Failure, Strategic Planning. We have 3 guest speakers on the topics of strategic planning, leadership and accounting best practices. To register, email Ann Ford at [email protected] by January 17, 2025.
I hope to see you there!
A quick note about the financial strength of your bank. I am incredibly proud of the team’s efforts to consistently provide an amazing client experience which has led to numerous local awards and recognitions, referrals to new clients, and amazing growth. Rest assured, we remain well capitalized and well positioned for the future.
More importantly, there is nothing that gives our team a greater sense of pride than when we live out our core value of community commitment. Much appreciation and thanks to our clients, vendors, and neighbors who joined our 4th Annual Pack the ‘Pack campaign to raise $90,000 for our four partner food backpack programs helping fight food-insecurity for local children.
As we close the door on 2024, I reflect upon and appreciate the many accomplishments of Tim Lewis, Executive Vice President – Chief Retail Banking Officer(CRBO), and Dean Cognetti, Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer(CFO). Both retired in 2024. We had “big shoes” to fill in our search for just the right leaders to build on Tim and Dean’s legacies to keep BCT strong. We did just that! Hopefully, you had a chance to read the press releases announcing their replacements: Ron Burley as EVP and CRBO, and Shane Bell as EVP and CFO. If not, please take a moment to read them here: https://www.mybct.bank/news.
Looking forward, we open the door of 2025 with excitement and a purpose to simplify your financial lives with value-added learning experiences.
To you and yours, I wish you a Happy New Year and a 2025 filled with peace and success. Oh, and a financial house in order. 😉
Alice
President and CEO