Message From the President: Summer 2026
Last December, I shared a message about a milestone for Affiance Financial: 25 years of working to make lives better. As I prepared that message, I initially set out to create a timeline. I planned to identify one defining market event for each year in Affiance’s history.
The list came together quickly and included many defining market moments that still resonate today, such as the bursting of the dot-com bubble after years of speculative growth, the 9/11 attacks that reshaped global security and foreign policy, the global financial crisis, the flash crash, and the emergence of a small group of dominant U.S. technology companies once captured by the acronym FANG. More recent examples include the COVID-19 market decline, the rise of the “Magnificent 7,” the broad stock and bond bear market of 2022, the emergence of AI as a major investment theme, and tariff-driven volatility.
While each of these moments is meaningful in its own right, it became clear that recounting them in succession would not create the kind of uplifting anniversary message I meant to share. Instead, taken together, they highlight just how frequent and persistent uncertainty has been.
I was compelled to revisit that idea today, because it highlights an important principle: the benefit of disciplined investment planning at every stage. And that principle feels especially relevant today, as geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices have once again brought market volatility into focus.
Simply put, volatility refers to how quickly and unpredictably markets rise and fall. During periods of volatility, it is natural to feel uneasy. While we cannot control current events or the ways in which markets respond to them, we can control how we react. By focusing on what is within our influence, we build the flexibility needed to navigate what is not. This principle guides our investment advice.
At the core of that advice is our commitment to a structured, process-driven investment approach. This means avoiding overreactions to current events and maintaining a focus on long-term goals and outcomes. Sudden shifts in sentiment can lead to reactive and often costly decisions. Our process is designed to limit behavioral biases and provide a steady, consistent decision-making framework during periods of uncertainty.
A key component of this approach is our Market Dislocation Plan. During challenging market environments, this plan allows us to act deliberately rather than emotionally. By establishing predetermined market-movement thresholds for evaluation and action, we can assess when change is warranted and when it is better to remain patient.
As we move through the remainder of the year, we believe one of the greatest risks is not inaction, but overreaction. Overtrading, particularly when driven by emotion, can erode long-term results. If you would like to learn more about our disciplined approach to Investment Planning, we encourage you to visit our website.
What does this mean for you? The economic landscape will continue to evolve, and volatility will remain a part of investing. There will always be major events that influence markets. While we cannot predict their timing or magnitude, our focus remains consistent: to protect and grow your wealth by adhering to a disciplined, proven process.
Thank you for the trust you place in our team. It is a responsibility we take seriously, and one we are honored to carry forward.
Respectfully,
Eric Unger, Partner, President, Chief Compliance Officer
Affiance Financial only conducts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded from registration requirements. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability.
All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. There are no assurances that a client’s portfolio will match or exceed any particular benchmark. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Past performance and detailed processes do not guarantee future results. Please remember to contact Affiance Financial if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives.
