Money you accumulate can work like an orchard, and the income—the fruit crop—helps run retirement life. Some in the industry would call clients taking out their own money “attrition.” Attrition, per the dictionary: “loss or destruction, corrosion, waste.” But to us, it’s simply investing wisely, spending well. Attrition, shmattrition.
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“What do you want to be when you grow up?” A new school year is underway, but it’s not just children who feel like they have to have answers to the big questions.
New clients will on occasion visit our office with apologies ready: they don’t exactly know what they want or what they might need in the future.
And that’s okay. Plans and hunches and visions… It’s all welcome.
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It’s an exciting development! You may have heard our announcement already, but effective January 1, 2026, Caitie Leibman here will be serving as CEO of Leibman Financial Services. Mark Leibman isn’t going anywhere, so what changes and what doesn’t with a new person in the front-facing role? This is a must-watch to get the latest from 228Main.com—online or on Main!
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by Mark Leibman, President
Friends, we’ve reached another milestone in the life of Leibman Financial Services. Since I founded the company back in 1996, I’ve been fortunate enough to see LFS through many chapters and changes already.
I wrote recently about how I spend my working hours, and my teammates are helping me get more time for my favorite work activities: talking with you and researching the opportunities and challenges that might impact your portfolios. To do more of what I want, I need to be doing less of everything else.
To that end, we are pleased to announce that Caitie Leibman will succeed me as the next CEO of Leibman Financial Services, effective January 1, 2026.
I’ve long believed that we are all better off working from our passions and values, and we’ve got a chance to reshuffle what goes on each of our plates.
We believe Caitie’s strengths are well-suited to this role. There are tasks that stayed on my plate for years only because once upon a time, mine was the only plate! Many of these tasks require the type of logistical thinking and eye for detail that Caitie has brought to all her work.
Since 2020, Caitie has served LFS full-time as the Director of Communications. She added client work and investment research to her plate after becoming licensed in 2023.
It was that year we split ownership of the business: many of you are already aware, but I co-own this business with Caitie, Greg, and Billy. We work as a four-person management team. Decisions will still be made in this collaborative way moving forward, no matter who has what title.
Instead, the hope is that I get to spend more time doing the parts of the work that are most gratifying to me, and Caitie has a chance to shine in a new way.
We’ll talk more about what this news means in the coming weeks. For now, know that I’m excited. I’m still aimed at working until age 92, and this change may be part of what gets me there.
Thank you all, for everything, always.
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“I have enough, and enough is as good as a feast.” — Granny, as told to us by one of you
For many folks, giving and community are important pillars of their financial plans and planning. After all, once we discover that we have enough to get by on, we’ve got some important decisions to make about our resources.
What will our excesses and gains mean for the community around us? Or the next generation? Or causes and organizations we care about?
In 2025, Leibman Financial Services added a new type of account, a tool that may be an option for those with charitable intentions and a desire for a little organization.
Here is what we are talking about: a Donor Advised Fund, or DAF. A DAF is an account that we can open and manage for you here in-house. Money or securities that you send to the DAF are considered tax-deductible charitable contributions, even if they came from existing accounts here. (Consult your tax advisor about what this means for you in particular.)
The funds can be invested for long-term growth or disbursed more quickly; you may donate as much or as little as you choose, on your schedule. You request distributions, or “grants,” from your DAF to be sent to the nonprofits of your choosing.
A DAF would become part of our regular conversations about your portfolio, your goals, and your financial plans and planning.
Why consider a DAF? A DAF could be used…
We work with iGift, a registered 501(c)(3), to administer these accounts. iGift requires a minimum of $25,000 to open a DAF, though only a $1,000 minimum balance needs to maintained thereafter. You may send out gifts as small as $100 to approved nonprofits year-round.
Fees and rationales can be found in our disclosure documents where we discuss more about the terms of our services.
If the DAF still has funds at your passing, your designated successor—an heir or heirs—may direct future donations until the fund is exhausted, or you can elect to provide instructions for how to distribute the remainder among nonprofits.
Our money has a chance not only to outlast us—but to continue making ripples in the world.
The Donor Advised Fund concept has been used by people here at Leibman Financial as part of their tax planning and to organize charitable intentions. Not all account types are appropriate for everyone, though there’s a lot to like here.
Could it be a good time to learn more?
Reach out, anytime.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate qualified professional prior to making a decision.
This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.
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