INVESTMENT CHOICES

Radical market swings can have a tremendous upside for investors who have the discipline to “stay the course” and follow a long-term investment plan. To the seasoned investor, market volatility may be another word for opportunity. At Chemical Bank, we help our clients achieve their investment goals by offering a variety of investment choices with their retirement dollars. Here are a few:

Individual Securities

Whether in a retirement account that you manage, or an account that you direct Chemical Bank to manage, use of individual securities (stocks, bonds, cash equivalents) is one approach available to you. It is important that in the selection of securities one fully understands and evaluate the suitability of one investment versus another. Contact a Retirement Specialist to determine how Chemical Bank can assist you in mapping out a strategy for achieving your retirement goals.

Mutual Funds

The simplest reason for diversifying your portfolio is that no one can successfully predict market cycles. Over the years we generally will see a different asset class come out on top year after year. One year it is large company stocks. The next year it may be bonds. Then small company stocks come out on top. Before you can blink, foreign stocks are the winners. Since it is next to impossible to know the next top performer, a sound approach is to spread investments among different asset classes. Yes, you have heard the term before—diversification. One of the most efficient ways to achieve diversification is through the use of mutual funds. Mutual funds are used extensively in Chemical Bank retirement plans, especially where accounts are participant-directed. Contact a Retirement Specialist to learn more about the Chemical Bank Mutual Fund Universe.

Managed Models

There is another component to portfolio diversification which extends beyond the diversification that one achieves through a single mutual fund. And that is the combination effect that results by mixing asset classes together to create a diversified portfolio. The investment industry calls this asset allocation. Chemical Bank offers various managed modeled portfolios to assist its customers in achieving their retirement goals. Some models are more heavily focused on growth; some on income; while still others combine growth with income. Whatever your goal (and we stand prepared to assist you in determining yours) Chemical Bank has a portfolio designed to meet your needs. Call us today and let a Retirement Specialist guide you in determining your willingness and ability to take risk. Remember, with investments one does not totally eliminate risk…one manages risk. Let the Chemical Bank advantage work for you.