tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80051402485003358472024-03-05T01:03:24.742-08:00Colin Robertson (Chicago) | BloggerColin Robertson Banking Executive in Chicago
Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-80621759521622635932020-07-30T04:08:00.000-07:002020-07-30T04:08:43.518-07:00Fixed Income Market Performance Summary - Q2 2020<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq447007uX6hrB9knY7ZDZWPAQ9ZF_jsHI2mO8VFWX_cnEUXugPvpR-oFPtDJkCf4WL5ijQ0UKsfLSzAkGkomBo2RL-hQkTghc5KNkIgT4GZ0YylCwPKQilGhfwKT5eH_uPsRSNftIqwg/s497/Income+Market+Summary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq447007uX6hrB9knY7ZDZWPAQ9ZF_jsHI2mO8VFWX_cnEUXugPvpR-oFPtDJkCf4WL5ijQ0UKsfLSzAkGkomBo2RL-hQkTghc5KNkIgT4GZ0YylCwPKQilGhfwKT5eH_uPsRSNftIqwg/s320/Income+Market+Summary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Banking executive Colin Robertson is the executive vice president of Northern Trust in Chicago, Illinois. From his Chicago office, Colin Robertson manages all the firm’s <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed_income">fixed income</a></b> investments, evaluating market performances every quarter to inform investment decisions.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The last market quarter (Q2 of 2020) was particularly better for investors than Q1 as asset classes posted a recovery from their previous declines. While overall the returns for most equity markets were down year-to-date, US growth and technology stocks moved toward positive territory. The gains were propelled by easing of lockdown measures, loose monetary policy by the Federal Reserve, and a reduction in weekly claims for unemployment insurance.</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">In the fixed income market, US 10-year yields saw little change, staying near record lows and channeling the effects of weak economic activity and quantitative easing measures. Fixed income assets more sensitive to risk, however, saw their yields decline.</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Corporate bonds performed strongly in the quarter, far outpacing their government counterparts. High yield bonds that were more speculative returned 11 percent while investment-grade bonds returned 7.9 percent. Overall, US energy companies performed well across both.</div></span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-77785474279554527902020-07-07T05:41:00.000-07:002020-07-07T05:41:07.435-07:00About the ABA Foundation's Safe Banking for Seniors Program<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="modal-body" style="color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 15px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKnvQVuB0qAnLuurgnP44xMWzchTBhHazcPC7_5jhWg4Cy45iSNhLq-qce-QJnCyy8RjMgn5DZHPfDZuF3Ye_sTNiay06jQAVEjZ0eERAl-kffRFgSDYhALUyKxvV8uVCHXmYMzrIN7c/s1600/financial-security-password-lock-banknotes-white-background_1387-144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="626" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKnvQVuB0qAnLuurgnP44xMWzchTBhHazcPC7_5jhWg4Cy45iSNhLq-qce-QJnCyy8RjMgn5DZHPfDZuF3Ye_sTNiay06jQAVEjZ0eERAl-kffRFgSDYhALUyKxvV8uVCHXmYMzrIN7c/s320/financial-security-password-lock-banknotes-white-background_1387-144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div id="md-content">
<br /></div>
<div id="md-content">
A Chicago-based banking executive, Colin Robertson has in-depth experience in the financial services industry spanning more than three decades. In addition to serving as an executive vice president at Northern Trust in Chicago, Colin Robertson maintains membership with the American Bankers Association (ABA) where he is part of the Investment Advisory Committee.<br /><br />The <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Bankers_Association" target="_blank">American Bankers Association </a></b>supports America’s banks as they perform their role of strengthening the economic and financial landscape as well as assisting communities to thrive. The association consists of banks of various sizes and shares the latest industry news. ABA runs some of its programs using the ABA Foundation which provides free resources and programs to assist bankers to improve the well-being of both their customers and the entire community.<br /><br />Sponsored by the ABA Foundation, Safe Banking for Seniors (SBFS) is a free national program that provides bankers with the required tools and resources to offer assistance to seniors, their families, and caregivers. The program offers bankers access to presentations, resource sheets, activity sheets, and guides to enable bankers to connect with their local communities. Bankers can use this training to advise on how to choose a financial caregiver, identify and avoid scams, prevent identity theft, and become a responsible financial caregiver.</div>
</div>
<div class="modal-footer" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-radius: 0px 0px 6px 6px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px inset; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 14px 15px 15px; zoom: 1;">
</div>
</div>
Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-89662514505893781242020-06-08T23:27:00.000-07:002020-06-08T23:27:06.424-07:00Fixed Income Securities in Goals-Driven Wealth Management<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C9pWID1ux3-59a8a2J_5rl_SN1VI-x9Rl0Ou3fzMGBmsKwCPcjU7M0ImxtX4Q6xjuAKY12vZN45Rx7o4n63Ka-oeawTdMfCVLGefhY4mEe0svE6X0V_KN6hluBVZzPDZ93xwKKq0_Y8/s1600/business-money-finance-secure-saving-concept-close-up-man-hand-holding-put-coin-stack-coins-wooden-table_105035-869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="626" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C9pWID1ux3-59a8a2J_5rl_SN1VI-x9Rl0Ou3fzMGBmsKwCPcjU7M0ImxtX4Q6xjuAKY12vZN45Rx7o4n63Ka-oeawTdMfCVLGefhY4mEe0svE6X0V_KN6hluBVZzPDZ93xwKKq0_Y8/s320/business-money-finance-secure-saving-concept-close-up-man-hand-holding-put-coin-stack-coins-wooden-table_105035-869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Banking executive <b><a href="http://www.colinrobertsonchicago.com/" target="_blank">Colin Robertson</a></b> is an executive vice president at Northern Trust in Chicago. From his office in Chicago, Colin Robertson oversees the firm’s fixed income investments.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed_income" target="_blank">Fixed income</a></b> investments are usually low risk and include quality fixed income securities and cash.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They have an unassailable role in goal-oriented wealth management, which is to meet near-term goals such as medium-sized purchases. They are different from higher risk assets like global equities and high yield bonds. These are also included in wealth management, but are used to fund longer term goals because of the higher return premium on equities.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">However, while fixed income investments are low risk, that does not mean they are risk free. Risks that could undermine their performance are inflation, default by issuing institutions, rising real interest rates, taxation, and lack of liquidity. Because principal amounts are used primarily to meet near term needs, it is absolutely crucial to protect them from these risks, offering a positive return even in distressed economic times and despite taxes and inflation.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Ultimately, no single fixed income asset can achieve this on its own. That’s why a mix of fixed income assets is appropriate. A good mix usually includes inflation-protected treasuries, liquid securities, tax-efficient bonds, and low duration investment grade bonds, to mitigate real interest rate risk. The risk of default is kept to a minimum by selective preference for assets with high credit quality.</span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-36409171032056353792018-05-15T18:48:00.001-07:002018-05-15T18:48:37.056-07:00American Bankers Association Advocacy Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy04i1772NHq0WaCeZtjIP-rXOYHDnsXhSIx9MSU1Gv3up4arNXLMwvrQeIGAojxu_m6c2ssT9VVHiqOVx68PKfK6f2_-eOdL2lHCaBy9dIbn6crX1U83-dl4UgXNgOu4evNLNh02ehrM/s1600/American+Bankers+Association.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="105" data-original-width="481" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy04i1772NHq0WaCeZtjIP-rXOYHDnsXhSIx9MSU1Gv3up4arNXLMwvrQeIGAojxu_m6c2ssT9VVHiqOVx68PKfK6f2_-eOdL2lHCaBy9dIbn6crX1U83-dl4UgXNgOu4evNLNh02ehrM/s320/American+Bankers+Association.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="modal-body" style="color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 15px;">
<div id="md-content">
A Chicago-based banking executive, Colin Robertson has spent the last two decades of his career in the Chicago offices of Northern Trust. In addition to his work at Northern Trust, he stays apprised of new developments in the banking industry through membership in organizations such as the American Bankers Association. Colin Robertson also serves on the organization’s advisory board.<br /><br />The <a href="https://www.aba.com/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">American Bankers Association</a> advocates on behalf of the banking industry to Congress as well as state legislative bodies, seeking to ease the regulatory burden on financial institutions and improve the ability of the industry to serve customers. The association also serves banks as they adapt to new rules, such as recent changes to the American tax code.<br /><br />Some areas of advocacy include:<br /><br /><b>- the reduction of overall regulation, and the targeting of remaining regulation to better suit the charter, scope, and geography of individual banks and their service areas<br />- stricter liability rules for non-banking organizations subject to data breaches<br />- the end of the credit union tax exemption<br />- a reconsideration of the Farm Credit System</b><br />By pursuing these policy goals, the American Bankers Association hopes to change banking for the better for all stakeholders.</div>
</div>
Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-76443112607050592342018-03-05T12:01:00.000-08:002018-03-05T12:01:17.255-08:00Northern Trust Promotes Socially Responsible Investment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrOn7XLsAokY1_fBNaAmaeha09DOKoUbyuhiOfh1RM7uY-fuNEA9rHOSFILj7KjdqffDw768pUElvTcAZYk8t7dBCfAeII8j7ZIvc2vhxBNf7a3ZP1jlh-zY3FgzaRHu9dFkrt3ndR6s/s1600/Northern+Trust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrOn7XLsAokY1_fBNaAmaeha09DOKoUbyuhiOfh1RM7uY-fuNEA9rHOSFILj7KjdqffDw768pUElvTcAZYk8t7dBCfAeII8j7ZIvc2vhxBNf7a3ZP1jlh-zY3FgzaRHu9dFkrt3ndR6s/s320/Northern+Trust.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Based in Chicago, banking executive Colin Robertson serves as the managing director of fixed income for <a href="https://www.northerntrust.com/" target="_blank">Northern Trust</a>. In the Chicago office, Colin Robertson oversees some 68 employees. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Out of respect for the global community, Northern Trust encourages socially responsible investing (SRI). For over 25 years, the firm has emphasized environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when it creates stock portfolios. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It pursues these goals by vetting companies for their adherence to ESG principles, following strategies that produce socially beneficial returns, and selecting from indexes such as the Domini 400. Northern Trust also supports shareholder voting to change corporate priorities. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The bank screens out investments in a wide range of categories, from tobacco and pornography to discrimination and arms-dealing. It also turns down industry sectors such as gambling, firearms, and nuclear power. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Instead, Northern Trust looks for choices that benefit society, such as clean energy, human rights, product safety, and diversity on boards of directors. Desirable companies tend to be innovative, quality-oriented, and maintain good community and employee relations. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Northern Trust also chooses companies with some good environmental practices that may be otherwise screened out, such as extractive industries. This best-of-sector approach encourages businesses to upgrade their environmental and governance performance.</span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-29353354791115450182017-06-01T17:00:00.003-07:002017-06-01T17:00:41.418-07:00American Bankers Association Hosts 2017 Conference in Chicago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w5ySQ_BR2VldUViDmqjni6IDe-X6ojP5atnGihM9KlxzxsGF6RAzpoDIsgq26Sj_aEFYJssvrFT9MmGe4phcFEdO365yaiKzBnl9gEIcHSu03cXYdsdwO7AuAZL7SrHxC7218kXaMu8/s1600/American+Bankers+Association.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="780" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w5ySQ_BR2VldUViDmqjni6IDe-X6ojP5atnGihM9KlxzxsGF6RAzpoDIsgq26Sj_aEFYJssvrFT9MmGe4phcFEdO365yaiKzBnl9gEIcHSu03cXYdsdwO7AuAZL7SrHxC7218kXaMu8/s320/American+Bankers+Association.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A graduate of Northwestern University’s MBA program, Colin Robertson serves as executive vice president of Northern Trust, located in Chicago, Illinois. A professional in the Chicago area for more than two decades, banking executive Colin Robertson serves as a board member for the <a href="http://www.aba.com/Training/Conferences/Pages/Annual_Schedule.aspx" target="_blank">American Bankers Association</a>(ABA) investment advisory committee.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Representing America’s bankers, the ABA offers training, information, and resources for its members. It represents more than two million banking professionals, who work for institutions that hold almost $17 trillion in assets and safeguard nearly $13 trillion in deposits.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Every year the ABA sponsors a national conference where members gather, network, and learn about changes within the banking industry. The 2017 annual conference is scheduled for October 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. This event includes general sessions that focus on political and economic trends and forums that feature moderators who are experts in banking. Featured speakers include Tom Ricketts, executive chairman of the Chicago Cubs; General Michael Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency; and Marcus Lemonis, host of CNBC’s “The Profit” as well as CEO and chairman of Good Sam Enterprises and Camping World.</span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-86122458601674589272017-05-06T09:36:00.001-07:002017-05-06T09:36:29.153-07:00Where Will Interest Rates Go in 2017-2018?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZLLqyQwH5m0TyWqSBMPp-gcL900CO9bBHHqHxXX6tHYMxUp-cYcNZjorkulaVyA3MtvhsjUg3gHJ9yjxTrIqQP7jBcwWZK7N2x4KUZtVrhtcajWlradsN9UJDwLGdyPuGY04Ko9vp-A/s1600/Interest+Rates++2017-2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZLLqyQwH5m0TyWqSBMPp-gcL900CO9bBHHqHxXX6tHYMxUp-cYcNZjorkulaVyA3MtvhsjUg3gHJ9yjxTrIqQP7jBcwWZK7N2x4KUZtVrhtcajWlradsN9UJDwLGdyPuGY04Ko9vp-A/s320/Interest+Rates++2017-2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Colin Robertson serves as managing director of fixed income investments for Chicago’s Northern Trust Asset Management. The banking executive’s major responsibility is overseeing the department handling bonds and other fixed-income instruments. Also in close contact with his Chicago clients and internal partners, Colin Robertson continues to keep a close eye on economic forecasts.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">One Forbes commentator projected the future of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/billconerly/2017/02/27/interest-rate-forecast-2017-2018/#652dda3474f9" target="_blank">interest rates</a> for 2017-2018. He predicts no rate hikes in 2017, doubting the Federal Reserve’s prediction of two more increases before the end of the year. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The observer maintains that the Fed is inaccurately predicting the pace of continued economic expansion. He notes that discretionary spending by business is still down. Reflecting this shortfall are problems in hiring, new building construction, and buying more equipment and IT systems. These weak performances mirror uncertainty about the economy. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Foreign and economic policy remain unclear, affecting export-import activity and the transport and warehousing sectors. Still-evolving immigration rules may impact construction, agriculture, and the hospitality industry.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Doctors and physicians have also expressed concern for the national healthcare system, and changes in governmental policies are likely to influence the banking industry, education, and utilities to an unknown degree. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">However, next year economic uncertainty should ease, leading to a more robust strengthening. 2018 should bring about more rate increases from the Fed.</span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-73593311617943999522017-04-18T18:04:00.001-07:002017-04-18T18:04:38.578-07:00Financial Technology - an Important Business Trend in Global Economies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7mVan8nCSjqHVL9KhmRPVMDmHOhSk3juPckw7Jh01wemwpZPEULXeVhOtpLg4weR2MFM7q55RjTqA6EYTVhZwtQW434nYtXy8688fr_GabvzHmQnlJ68FfGTd5hIU1sXNCmqjYz49Xo/s1600/Financial+Technology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7mVan8nCSjqHVL9KhmRPVMDmHOhSk3juPckw7Jh01wemwpZPEULXeVhOtpLg4weR2MFM7q55RjTqA6EYTVhZwtQW434nYtXy8688fr_GabvzHmQnlJ68FfGTd5hIU1sXNCmqjYz49Xo/s320/Financial+Technology.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">For Colin Robertson, a banking executive at Northern Trust in Chicago, work is almost as enjoyable as play. Colin Robertson carries over his work for clients in Chicago and beyond to his favorite after-hours entertainment – pursuing knowledge about business and financial trends relevant to clients and economies inside and outside the United States.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On March 9, 2017, the US Federal Trade Commission held the third in its series of three public forums on <a href="https://www.inc.com/john-boitnott/8-ways-financial-technology-is-changing-in-2016.html" target="_blank">financial technology</a> at the University of California, Berkeley. The forum, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, focused on the consumer implications of these developing technologies and examined how they may be used to serve and protect consumers.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In November 2016, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) held a financial technology public forum at its Washington, DC, headquarters. The SEC says that the forum was designed to foster collaboration among regulators, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, and to evaluate how government regulations can best address innovations in the financial services industry.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The World Economic Forum follows this trend at the global level. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, recently identified the world’s financial technology hubs as demonstrated by market size, investment, and staffing. The United Kingdom tops the list, followed by California, New York, Singapore, Germany, Australia, and Hong Kong.</span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-63867192580017348162017-04-01T19:57:00.000-07:002017-04-01T19:57:14.102-07:00Three Investment Tips for First-Time Investors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgIFfMUL3FZ66eaXM9sJG2-JD4zhq2CefGXuN-b8QzHMz8kmyBA_g838dKFfuHZeWW-4wXeBmh_nqFJbUF4dmU5BPKlI3vQ7S2vS8zjbuHWNQnKj0npCUeT3dQQpQlqQ1FW4v5D8SYf4/s1600/Tips+for+First-Time+Investors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgIFfMUL3FZ66eaXM9sJG2-JD4zhq2CefGXuN-b8QzHMz8kmyBA_g838dKFfuHZeWW-4wXeBmh_nqFJbUF4dmU5BPKlI3vQ7S2vS8zjbuHWNQnKj0npCUeT3dQQpQlqQ1FW4v5D8SYf4/s320/Tips+for+First-Time+Investors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Colin Robertson is a banking executive in Chicago who currently works as the Managing Director of Fixed Income at Northern Trust Global Investments. Even outside of work, Colin Robertson considers investing and keeping up with the stock market a hobby. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If you have never invested in the <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/11/dangerous-moves-first-time-investors.asp" target="_blank">stock market</a>, it can seem like a confusing, daunting challenge. These three tips will help ensure you are off to a good start. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1. <b>Consult a Professional </b>- Even after studying the stock market and learning the lingo, speaking to a pro can help you determine your options. Investment advisors and professionals will be able to give you in-depth information regarding the types of accounts to open and different investment methods, illuminating the benefits and drawbacks of each. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2. <b>Leave Emotion Out of Investing </b>- Successful long-term investments often require the ability to control your emotions and avoid acting on fear, rumors, or speculation. Company stock prices often reflect a right-now mentality. If investors are worried about the future of the business, stocks lower. If the future looks bright, share prices rise. Before investing, determine your expectations regarding return. Know at what point you will sell, either at a loss or profit, to avoid having to make that decision later when emotions are high. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">3. <b>Start Now</b> - Whether you are a 20-year-old student working as a barista at the local coffee shop, or a highly-successful executive on a six figure salary, now is the time to start investing. Generally speaking, the longer you invest, the more money you will make. Thanks to compounding rates of return, investing $25 a month now would likely provide higher returns than waiting and investing more later in life.</span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-59495378203905686212017-03-08T16:32:00.000-08:002017-03-08T16:32:01.044-08:00MLB Releases New Cubs-Centric Documentary After World Series Win<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nuG6pG-BACmkfzUvohdxzAEoFZVfCFcbHqp2zmpRjq-d6uFnohcahOApRiviGE9afgNNbNMqWxrUAJ1AdKVLh3rLh_FRFojvkv_1tlU9UUpYQ-Kexg4CMvZyyXcA-HLH_Cc81U9lsYQ/s1600/mlb+Cubs+documentary+world+series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nuG6pG-BACmkfzUvohdxzAEoFZVfCFcbHqp2zmpRjq-d6uFnohcahOApRiviGE9afgNNbNMqWxrUAJ1AdKVLh3rLh_FRFojvkv_1tlU9UUpYQ-Kexg4CMvZyyXcA-HLH_Cc81U9lsYQ/s320/mlb+Cubs+documentary+world+series.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Colin Robertson is a Chicago-based banking executive currently working as an executive VP in the role of managing director of fixed income for Northern Trust. A faithful Chicago Cubs fan, Colin Robertson has attended every home playoff game for over 20 years. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The MLB recently released a new Chicago Cubs-centric home video of the<a href="http://m.mlb.com/news/article/209482120/cubs-run-captured-by-world-series-documentary/" target="_blank"> 2016 World Series documentary</a>. The film comprises of highlights showing off the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 season and post-season, where they won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. At 97 minutes, the feature-length film is narrated by actor Vince Vaughn, himself a Chicago native and fan of the team. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Cub fans can see player and coach interviews, highlights from the season’s best games, and clips from the team’s victory parade after winning the World Series. The film is available in both DVD and Blu-Ray formats. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If that is not enough, fans can look for the eight-disc Collector’s Edition, which features all seven World Series games and includes additional bonus features and footage.</span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-85563209317922422272016-12-08T08:37:00.001-08:002016-12-08T08:37:24.283-08:00Three Common Types of Fixed Income Investments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UazNjiDAxI_bX_RJFn2zVnJczyUaINOgbX0hAxjdvlYrFLdJ-nVHhhIpRnO8pVrLxVYVKahhEq2J-01fFKuahyphenhyphenofVdSnTRSpSRkXEWfWruBUkpl1-BHMpl3lenFztm3xFZFh-vU8GXI/s1600/Fixed+Income+Investments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UazNjiDAxI_bX_RJFn2zVnJczyUaINOgbX0hAxjdvlYrFLdJ-nVHhhIpRnO8pVrLxVYVKahhEq2J-01fFKuahyphenhyphenofVdSnTRSpSRkXEWfWruBUkpl1-BHMpl3lenFztm3xFZFh-vU8GXI/s320/Fixed+Income+Investments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Colin Robertson serves as executive vice president of investment firm Northern Trust in Chicago, Illinois. In his position as a banking executive, Colin Robertson advises both internal partners and external clients in areas like fixed income investing.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fixedincome.asp?lgl=no-infinite" target="_blank">fixed income </a>investment is a type of security which yields paid income at an established rate in regular intervals. Listed below are three of the most common types of fixed income investments.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1. <b>Treasury Bill</b>: A treasury bill is a simple fixed income security that can be purchased at initial auction at maturity rates of three months, six months, or one year. Individuals purchase treasury bills at a price that is less than face value, then earn the full value of the bill from the government once the maturity date has been reached.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2. <b>Corporate Bond</b>: A corporate bond is a security that acts as an avenue for a business’ debt financing. These types of fixed income investments allow investors to lend money to a company while earning low rate interest payments over a set period of time.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">3. <b>Municipal Bond: </b>Like a corporate bond, a municipal bond is a debt security, but it is issued by a nonprofit or a public organization on the state, municipal, or county level rather than a corporation. This type of bond is exempt from state and local taxation in many areas and the funds are typically used to build public infrastructure projects.</span>Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005140248500335847.post-86858447257460984702016-07-28T15:25:00.002-07:002016-07-28T15:25:24.824-07:00Colin Robertson: What's fueling the strong bond market? - March 17, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bjfUSKHHGVc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bjfUSKHHGVc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Colin Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960700783635655058noreply@blogger.com0