Business

By Joe Capers, Insurance Zone It has been two years since we wrote about the changing insurance market place in Florida. Because we are nearly surrounded by water with the possibility of storms and other natural disasters so evident, the cycles are much more pronounced. Typically, insurance industry cycles will last...

By Doug Stauffer At January’s First Friday breakfast, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the Annual Installation and Awards Breakfast. Chamber members thanked the outgoing leadership and inducted new leadership. Ted Corcoran pointed out the genuinely historic year of 2022 by highlighting three significant events initiated by the...

By Maurice Stouse, Financial Advisor and Branch Manager As 2022 ended, investors saw the year bring a 400% increase in interest rates and a $400 billion liquidity draw down by the Federal Reserve. Despite that, homeowner spending on mortgage payments, as a percentage of their monthly costs, was at a...

By Kenneth Books Don’t tell Richard Schmucker to take it easy. After retiring from his machine shop at 40, he found time weighed heavily on his hands. But he had an in. He had more than 10 years experience in the roofing industry. So, he set his sights on creating a...

FWB Life was excited and honored to receive a prestigious award recently! We love it! The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s “Teddy Award” is a coveted, bobble-head Ted given to members who have made an impact in the community. We have been so thankful for the support...

Local employee management solution company, SimpleHR, celebrates a milestone with 20 years in business. Well-known as a “Best in Class” provider of payroll, human resources, benefits administration and workers’ compensation, SimpleHR is a five-time earner of the annual Best Companies To Work For In Florida list by Florida Trend...

Step One Automotive Group has been named a recipient of the Florida Department of Education’s 2022 Commissioner’s Business Recognition Award. The award recognizes Florida’s business leaders and partners that have shown the most commitment to bringing positive change and implementing bold, innovative approaches to improve the academic performance of...

By Maurice Stouse, Financial Advisor and Branch Manager As one year closes out and another one begins, we have some thoughts for our clients on things to review and consider. First: Know What you Own We suggest it is a good idea to review your assets, stocks, bonds, cash, real estate, business...

By Joe Capers, Insurance Zone Every time a storm threatens our state, we are reminded of how many homeowners and business owners either do not carry flood and wind insurance at all, or have inadequate limits to cover their loss. Unfortunately, the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season runs to Nov. 30. When...

By Maurice Stouse, Financial Advisor and Branch Manager The United States and its citizens are among the most charitable in the world. And even though tax laws have made some changes to charitable giving, investors and savers alike are not only thinking how and what they are giving, but also...