Welcome to Our New Chapter!As 2025 comes to an end, we are thrilled to share exciting news. Our December newsletter features Cash Balance Plan Solutions, our new company formed in a strategic partnership with PlumTree Financial, bringing expanded offerings and greater value to our clients and community.
You will also find our latest Capital Markets article, A Look Ahead: Positioning for the Next Phase of the Roaring 2020s, insights from our Plum team Book Study, and highlights from our Annual Pie Giveaway.
Finally, please review the 2025 Key Year-End Dates to close out the year smoothly and start the new year with confidence.
Here is to new beginnings, meaningful partnerships, and a vibrant year ahead!
December 2025
Did You Know?
Exciting News - Introducing Cash Balance Plan Solutions
Dear Clients,
I am pleased to share exciting news with you. PlumTree Financial has launched a new company, Cash Balance Plan Solutions, dedicated to helping businesses and individuals unlock the full potential of Cash Balance Plans and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plans.
Cash balance plans are one of the fastest-growing retirement strategies in the country, offering the flexibility of a 401(k) with the higher contribution limits and tax advantages of a defined benefit plan. With Cash Balance Plan Solutions, our mission is to make these plans accessible, understandable, and seamlessly integrated into our client's overall financial strategy.
Through Cash Balance Plan Solutions, clients will benefit from a strategic partnership designed to deliver:
Specialized expertise in designing and administering cash balance plans tailored to their needs.
Tax-efficient strategies that maximize retirement savings while reducing current tax burdens.
Clear guidance and education so clients can confidently evaluate whether a cash balance plan is right for their business.
Ongoing support from the same trusted team you know at PlumTree Financial, now with a dedicated platform focused exclusively on this powerful retirement solution.
I am also thrilled to announce that Courtney Zanghi, VP, Relationship Manager, Retirement Plan Services, CRPS(R), CPFA(R), AIF(R) has joined our team. Courtney is a nationally recognized professional in cash balance plans and someone I have been fortunate to know and have worked with for over a decade. Her deep knowledge and experience in this field will be invaluable as we expand our offerings and continue to deliver exceptional value to our clients.
As always, thank you for your trust and partnership. We are excited to continue building your financial future together—with PlumTree Financial and now with Cash Balance Plan Solutions.
Warm regards,
Greg
CEO, PlumTree Financial
Capital Markets
For this month's capital markets overview, we are pleased to feature the summarized insights of Dr. Ed Yardeni from Yardeni Research. Yardeni Research provides daily, well-balanced commentary on the economy, financial markets, and current events. As a highly regarded resource, particularly for financial services professionals, we value their objective and comprehensive analysis.1
A Look Ahead: Positioning for the Next Phase of the Roaring 2020s
As we approach the new year, Yardeni remains optimistic, projecting 2026 to be another strong year in this period some call the "Roaring 2020s." The foundation of this confidence is the accelerating strength of productivity across the economy. Innovations in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics are allowing businesses to do more with less, driving real economic growth toward 3.0% next year. Crucially, this efficiency is expected to keep inflation pressures moderate, providing a solid underpinning for equity investments.
This optimism is not built on wishful thinking; it is based on the remarkable resilience shown since the start of the decade. Since 2020, the economy has weathered unprecedented challenges, including a pandemic, supply-chain disruptions, a spike in inflation, and aggressive monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve. Despite these headwinds, we have seen significant achievements: real GDP, personal consumption per household, and corporate profits have all reached record highs. This period of sustained strength confirms their view that, instead of traditional economy-wide recessions, we are experiencing rolling, industry-specific setbacks that the market has successfully absorbed.
This strong economic outlook supports the bullish long-term forecast for the S&P 500, which they believe is on track for significant earnings growth and could reach 10,000 by the end of the decade. The market rally has been highly concentrated in the largest Technology and Communication Services firms. Diversification amongst the other 493 stocks and beyond should remain a focus.
Regarding specific asset classes, Yardeni is bullish on both the U.S. Dollar and Gold. Geopolitical uncertainties and increased demand from central banks make them confident that Gold could climb towards $5,000 next year. Conversely, they maintain a cautious view on crypto currency. While its rallies can be dramatic, its extreme volatility makes it an unpredictable store of value that they expect to face ongoing headwinds.
At PlumTree Financial, our focus is helping our clients achieve their own goals. We appreciate Yardeni's optimism, but know, through experience, that markets will surprise. That is why we believe in tailoring our solutions to each client's circumstances.
Hanging out with us in the Plum Tree!
A Slice of Tradition, A Serving of Gratitude
On Tuesday, November 25th, PlumTree Financial proudly hosted our 9th Annual Pie Giveaway—a tradition that has become one of our favorite ways to celebrate the season.
The day was brimming with warm smiles, hearty laughter, and the comforting aroma of hot cider, hot cocoa, and festive treats. It was the perfect chance to catch up with familiar faces and welcome new friends into the fold.
Each guest received a delicious pie—Apple, Pecan, or Pumpkin—freshly baked by the local Virginia favorite, Mom’s Apple Pie Company. These pies added a touch of sweetness to the holidays, whether enjoyed at gatherings, shared with loved ones, or simply savored as a seasonal treat.
In the spirit of giving, many of our clients and friends chose to donate the value of their pies. To honor their generosity, we made contributions to Food for Others and Pathway Homes, two organizations making a meaningful impact in our community.
We are deeply grateful for the trust and support of our incredible clients and friends. You make this event—and every year—so memorable. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our sponsor, Columbia Threadneedle. We truly appreciate your support and generosity.
Here is to pies, people, and the joy of giving. Until next year!
Plum Picks: Where Petals Meet Passports
The Plums “Being Relational” Book Study
The PlumTree Financial team recently began a book study on Being Relational by Louise Phipps Senft and William Senft, and it is already strengthening how we connect and communicate. Each discussion encourages better listening, curiosity during conflict, and honest dialogue. We are sharing photos of team members diving into their own copies of the book, each finding moments of inspiration in their favorite reading spots. This mix of personal reflection and group conversation is creating a brighter, more supportive atmosphere in our workplace.
Why This Matters
Being relational improves teamwork, problem solving, and communication. When people feel heard and respected, they are more engaged and effective. Strong relationships reduce conflict and support better decisions, creating a more productive and successful workplace.
Updated on 12/4/2025 to correct the authors of "Being Relational".
Key Year-End Dates
December 5th
Note: Any requests received after December 5, 2025 are processed by LPL on a best-efforts basis.
Qualified Plan Establishment through Ascensus
For users of the pre-approved plan document service
Charitable giving or other gifting of stock/mutual fund shares
Federal and State Income Tax Withholding
Submit any tax withholding changes by this date to ensure processing before year end. After year end, LPL will not be able to reverse or apply any federal and state withholding on IRA or Qualified Retirement Plan (QRP) distributions that occurred this year.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)
IRA Distributions (does not apply to periodic distributions)
Submit IRA distribution requests by this date to ensure processing by year end. Any requests received after this date are processed on a best-efforts basis.
December 31st
Qualified plan establishment
New 401(k)/profit sharing plan documents must be adopted by December 31, 2025, to be effective for the 2025 plan year.
Account cash distribution or in-kind journal (including Roth conversions).
Upcoming Events
January 13, 2026 | 12pm EST
LPL Research Market Outlook 2025
Get ready for our 2026 Market Outlook Presentation — a forward-looking discussion on what is next for the markets, the economy, and your investment strategies.
The Markets: Where have they been? Where are they now? Where do we think they are going?
Please join us for another informative webinar with returning guest speaker, Mark Peterson, the author of the popular “Student of the Market” monthly publication that is distributed widely to advisors across the country.
“How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”
Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss
Illustrator, Poet, Painter, Film Producer, Screenwriter, Manga Artist, Animator, Song Writer, Visual Artist, Television Producer, Children's Writer, Prosaist, Book Illustrator, Picture Book Author
Dr. Seuss was the primary pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel, created by combining his middle name with the title “Dr.” as a playful nod to his father’s wish that he earn a doctorate. He also used the name Theo LeSieg — “Geisel” spelled backward—for books he wrote but did not illustrate, helping distinguish them from his fully illustrated works. Occasionally, he used the playful pen name Rosetta Stone for satirical or experimental pieces, a choice that may have been influenced by the fact that his second wife’s maiden name was Stone.
Citation
1- Yardeni Research – Morning Briefing: 2026 Is Coming, November 24, 2025
Disclosures
A Look Ahead: Positioning for the Next Phase of the Roaring 2020s:
Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Yardeni Research is not affiliated with PlumTree Financial or LPL Financial.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.Precious metal investing involves greater fluctuation and potential for losses.
All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.
The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
The information presented is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or specific advice. Cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency-related products can be volatile, are highly speculative and involve significant risks including liquidity, pricing, regulatory, cybersecurity risk, and loss of principal. A cryptocurrency fund may trade at a significant premium to Net Asset Value (NAV). Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and are not government backed. Cryptocurrencies are non-traditional investments, resulting in a different tax treatment than currency. Federal, state or foreign governments may restrict the use and exchange of cryptocurrency. The use and exchange of cryptocurrency may also be restricted or halted permanently as regulatory developments continue, and regulations are subject to change at any time. Cryptocurrency exchanges may stop operating or permanently shut down due to fraud, technical glitches, hackers, malware, or bankruptcy.
Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, PlumTree Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
