Trust Company Talks

AI headlines, meme stocks, crypto and mega-cap tech have all been front and center this year. For long-term investors, the harder question is what actually deserves a place in a disciplined portfolio.

In a new episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Wes Crill, Senior Client Solutions Director and Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, to sort through the noise and return to core principles.

Wes shares how he's thinking about the themes investors are asking about most right now, including AI-driven market concentration, the role of traditional investment premiums and the questions surrounding small caps. He also discusses how research helps separate signal from noise in a year filled with new products, rapid narratives and shifting expectations.

The conversation touches on:

• AI's influence on market behavior and investor expectations
• How concentrated performance shapes the broader discussion
• What research shows about premiums across different markets
• Where speculation shows up in headlines and portfolios
• How investors can stay grounded when new products or trends emerge

Wes closes with a simple message for investors in an anxious, headline-heavy year: broad diversification, clear goals and steady implementation tend to matter more than the latest market story.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

Private investing looks very different depending on where you sit, whether that be from the state pension board or in a family office.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Mark Roberts, CIO at Ironsides Asset Advisors, to discuss how families can think about private portfolios in a changing market environment.

Mark shares lessons from decades in family office management and his recent governance work with North Carolina's public pension system, explaining how those experiences shape his approach to building customized portfolios for clients.

They cover:

• The case for smaller buyout managers and disciplined vintage pacing
• Interest rate impacts on private equity distributions
• The challenges of liquid alternatives and evergreen funds
• Pressures facing university endowments and venture allocations
• Aligning investment horizons with family objectives

The discussion shows how private investing, done with patience and purpose, can support a family's goals for decades.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

Tax rules shape real-life decisions, from how families give, to how business owners structure cash flow and the way parents save for a child's future.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down talk with Senior Wealth Advisor and Principal Jonathan Henry, CFP®, CPA to walk through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what it may mean for clients and their families.

Jonathan explains where the law extends 2017 provisions and where it changes the playing field, including:

• Where 2017 tax provisions were extended and why the added clarity matters
• The updated SALT deduction cap and its phase-out range
• Estate exemption changes and essential estate-planning housekeeping
• Charitable giving strategies, including bunching and the new small deduction for standard deduction filers
• Child tax credit and AMT updates
• The new "Trump accounts" for minors, including contribution rules, timing and the power of compounding

Jonathan's full commentary on the Act is available here: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

Marriage brings plenty of new beginnings, and finances are no exception.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Lindsey Stetson, CFP®, wealth advisor in our Charlotte office, to discuss how couples can approach money matters early in their marriage. Drawing on years of advising families, Lindsey outlines practical steps for building a solid financial base together, touching on essentials such as:

• Why estate documents like wills and powers of attorney should be in place
• How to review and update beneficiaries on retirement accounts and insurance policies
• Combining (or not) bank accounts and subscription services
• The role of communication in avoiding financial surprises
• Setting investment priorities for short- and long-term goals

Lindsey also shares personal context, from meeting her husband in a college math class to working with younger families today, showing how experience and planning help strengthen financial decision-making.

For more on this, see Lindsey's earlier piece Financial Considerations for Newlyweds.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

Smart fixed income management can make the difference between weathering market uncertainty and getting caught off guard.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Clay Young, founder of Charlotte-based Tannin Capital, for a conversation on municipal bonds, fixed income strategy and how technology has transformed bond portfolio management.

Drawing on over 25 years of experience, Clay explains how municipal bonds can serve as a steady foundation for wealth planning, offering tax efficiency and income potential while helping clients stay the course during market shifts.

Here's some of what they cover:

• How bonds work as loans with set terms and returns
• Tax advantages of municipal bonds for high earners
• Using volatility to rebalance and reinvest
• Technology that enables custom bond management
• Bond funds vs. separately managed accounts

This episode offers a clear look at how thoughtful bond allocation supports long-term planning, including real-world examples such as how Build America Bonds played a role in post-Katrina recovery, showing how fixed income strategy connects with broader financial and community outcomes.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

Good habits start early, especially when it comes to money.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Joseph Aulisi, CFP and wealth advisor at Trust Company of the South, to discuss the basics of personal finance and why starting sooner is crucial.

The conversation builds on Joseph's recent commentary, Ahead of the Curve: A Financial Roadmap for Young Adults, where he outlined practical steps young adults can take to budget, save, invest and manage debt early in life without becoming overwhelmed. Now in his early 30s, he reflects on the real-world decisions that build financial stability over time, such as tracking expenses and making smart choices about debt.

Here's some of what's covered during the conversation:

• Building a budget that works, even on a modest income
• Why emergency funds matter and how much to set aside
• What to watch for with credit cards and high interest rates
• How small, steady investments can grow over time
• Tools and books that can help support good decisions

Together, the episode and commentary provide a practical introduction to personal finance, designed to help young adults make informed decisions and build long-term confidence.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

What's really driving growth in the Triangle? And what does the future hold for one of the Southeast's fastest-growing regions?

In the latest episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce speak with Sougata Mukherjee, president and publisher of the Triangle Business Journal. Together, they take stock of where the region stands today and what the road ahead might look like for business, real estate and workforce development.

Sougata shares his perspective on how local leaders are responding to economic shifts, where job creation is happening, and why transportation and talent will be make-or-break issues for future development. He also reflects on the changes inside the media business and what TBJ is doing to keep local reporting strong.

Topics discussed during their conversation:

• How trade uncertainty has shaped business decision-making
• Why employers are focused on talent pipelines, not just incentives
• Slowdowns in the office and multifamily sectors and where demand is still strong
• The growing importance of community colleges in workforce development
• How Triangle Business Journal is expanding its coverage to more parts of the state

Sougata shares what's happening in new business districts, how downtown Raleigh is starting to recover, and why the Triangle still matters to business owners, investors and longtime residents.

Listen to the full episode to hear Sougata’s take on the present and future of one of the nation’s most dynamic regions.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

Volatility has returned to the markets in full force. With abrupt tariff announcements, policy reversals and a 10% market rally following a sharp decline, investors have been left searching for clarity.

In a special episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with CEO Bill Smith and CIO Dan Tolomay to discuss what today’s turbulence means for long-term investors and how Trust Company is helping families stay grounded amid the noise.

Topics covered include:

• Why uncertainty is a major challenge for markets
• Historical context: 14% intra-year drawdowns are typical, not unusual
• Why investors earn a premium for staying invested during volatile times
• The role of diversification across asset classes, styles and regions
• How fixed income can offer ballast and opportunity during downturns
• Trust Company’s value-driven, evidence-based investment philosophy

From tariffs to headlines to emotional gut-checks, this conversation highlights the core principles that help long-term investors stay the course when the markets feel anything but steady.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

Venture capital plays a distinct role in investment strategies, offering access to high-growth opportunities outside of traditional public markets.

In the latest episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce welcome Ted Clark and Jon Terbell of FourBridge Partners to discuss how private market investing works, the nuances of venture capital and how families and institutions can approach these opportunities strategically.

With decades of experience managing private investments, including building the Babson College endowment's venture capital allocation, Ted and Jon share how FourBridge Partners identifies strong investment managers and builds long-term portfolios. They also discuss how patience and a methodical approach can make a significant difference when investing in venture capital.

Topics covered include:

• How venture capital differs from private equity and hedge funds
• The importance of liquidity when considering private market investments
• Strategies for selecting and accessing the right venture capital opportunities
• Market trends, including AI, blockchain and deep tech

Ted and Jon emphasize that successful venture capital investing is not about timing the market, it's about steady, disciplined allocations over time.

Hear the full conversation on how FourBridge Partners approaches venture capital within private markets and what it means for long-term investing.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

On this episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Senior Wealth Advisor and Principal, Jay Eich, to discuss tax strategy, estate planning and how the Trust Company team in Charlotte works closely with clients on complex financial decisions.

Jay shares how tax planning plays a central role in helping families structure wealth efficiently, including strategies for estate tax exemptions, charitable giving and preparing for potential policy changes. He also highlights how careful planning before a business sale can create opportunities to protect assets and reduce tax burdens.

Beyond numbers and tax codes, the conversation touches on the importance of personal relationships in wealth management. Whether helping a client evaluate assisted living options or advising those interested in private aviation, Jay and the Trust Company team take a comprehensive approach that extends well beyond investing options.

Key discussion points include:

• The impact of estate tax changes and how to prepare for them
• Strategies for managing wealth before a business sale
• The role of tax planning in long-term financial success

Listen to the full episode to learn how a thoughtful approach to planning can help clients make informed decisions at every stage of life.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.