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Laurel Mazur

Castle Rock Announces Hiring of Katherine Brown as a Research Associate

July 17, 2014 by admin

Castle Rock Investment Company is pleased to announce the hiring of Katherine Brown as a research associate. In her new role, Katherine will prepare quarterly economic updates, aid with investment research and provide insight on issues impacting Castle Rock’s clients and their employees.

Katherine, a M.A. Candidate for a Master of Arts in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, brings in-depth knowledge of macroeconomic theory and policy, econometric and statistical analysis, government public policy and finance and applied economic theory to the firm. Her research and writing concentrate on international monetary economics and central banking.

Katherine served in multiple research capacities at the University of Denver, CDR Associates and the Columbus Council on World Affairs. She holds a Dual Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Latin American Studies from Miami University, along with a minor in Spanish.

Laurel Mazur, Castle Rock’s former research associate, was recently hired as a research assistant for the Baltimore branch of the Richmond Federal Reserve. “We congratulate Laurel on her new role with the Federal Reserve and we are thrilled to welcome Katherine to our firm,” said Michele Suriano, President of Castle Rock Investment Company. “Katherine’s experience collecting and interpreting data, researching contemporary economic issues and generating accessible articles will be invaluable to our clients.”

Castle Rock Investment Company is an entirely woman-owned registered investment adviser serving plan sponsors in Colorado, Nebraska, and Texas. Castle Rock focuses exclusively on workplace retirement plans to help plan sponsors meet their fiduciary obligations and increase retirement readiness for their employees. More information can be found at www.castlerockinvesting.com.

Please contact Katherine at (303) 719-7523, or via e-mail at Katherine@castlerockinvesting.com.

Read the Official Press Release

Filed Under: Blog, Castle Rock Investment Company, Industry News, Katherine Brown, Laurel Mazur, Michele Suriano, Uncategorized Tagged With: Katherine Brown

Castle Rock Investment Company Hires Laurel Mazur as a Research Associate

April 16, 2014 by admin

LaurelHeadshotCastle Rock Investment Company is pleased to announce the addition of Laurel Mazur as a research associate. In her new role, Laurel will be responsible for preparing quarterly economic updates and assisting with investment research.

Laurel, a M.A. Candidate for a dual degree in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration and Economics at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, brings extensive knowledge of economic policy, combined with methodical research skills, to the firm. She has in-depth knowledge in international monetary relations, monetary economic theory and policy, applied research in international economics, econometrics and economic research methods.

In addition to her new role at Castle Rock, Laurel serves as a writing consultant and a research associate with the University of Denver. In addition, she has worked in research roles with the American Institute for Economic Research and with the World Trade Center in Denver. Laurel holds a B.A. in International Studies and Economics from the University of Denver.

“We are excited to welcome Laurel to our team,” said Michele Suriano, President of Castle Rock Investment Company. “She is skilled at presenting complex analysis and topics to a diverse audience, which will be invaluable to our clients.”

Castle Rock Investment Company is an entirely woman-owned registered investment adviser serving plan sponsors in Colorado, Nebraska, and Texas. Castle Rock focuses exclusively on workplace retirement plans to help plan sponsors meet their fiduciary obligations and increase retirement readiness for their employees.

More information can be found at www.castlerockinvesting.com.

Please contact Laurel at (303) 719-7523, or via e-mail at Laurel@castlerockinvesting.com.

Read official press release here.

Filed Under: Blog, Castle Rock Investment Company, Laurel Mazur, Uncategorized Tagged With: laurel mazur, Research

Water Cooler Wisdom – First Quarter 2014

April 16, 2014 by admin

Water Cooler Wisdom 1Q12Water Cooler Wisdom 1Q12A great deal happened in the world during the first quarter of 2014. The ECB may be pursuing quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve continues to send mixed messages about tapering, China is slowing down, the U.K. is set to grow the faster than any other advanced nation, and Gwyneth and Chris have split…or have they? According to the International Monetary Fund, the global growth outlook is positive, although the recovery is somewhat shaky and uneven. While there is a widespread fear of deflation worldwide, the hawks still stand by their position that uncontrolled inflation may still be in the future. In this economic environment, it is necessary to sift through a significant amount of noise to see the real economic picture.

The United States economy continues to grow but it is not going gangbusters. The polar vortex, along with the seemingly unending winter weather in the Eastern part of the United States, slowed economic growth during the first quarter of 2014. Regional economic indicators, including vehicle sales and employment, increased during the somewhat more temperate month of March, undoubtedly leaving residents and businesses looking forward to sunnier weather ahead. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7% and GDP increased by 2.6%. According to some analysts, the current inflation rate of 1.6% (see: Consumer Price Index) represents a lower bound to US inflation, The Federal Reserve continues to be committed to tapering but it seems somewhat reluctant to say ‘when’ due to continued concern about inflation. While the market will likely continue to experience spasms at every word Janet Yellen breathes, it may be more business as usual for the Fed in the near future.

Equities (see: Returns and Valuations by Style) have increased slightly but remain in what some would consider normal territory. It is important to note, however, that some sectors of the equities market have increased by 275.2% since the market low in March 2009. Overall, the market growth is not enough to risk substantial changes in inflation or interest rates but also not slow enough to decelerate overall growth. Essentially, it’s smooth-sailing.

As of April 9, 2014, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC approved a new rule requiring the eight largest U.S. banks to greatly increase their leverage ratio (essentially, they need to hold more capital). This rule is in response to the increased emphasis on macro-prudential regulation and the fact that many are still shaking in their boots from the aftershocks of the Global Financial Crisis. This rule will help to ensure that systemically important banks have the capital to lend in any economic environment, guarding against a credit contraction if market conditions were to negatively change. This may mean easier lending for smaller banks whose leverage ratio is not quite as high but since this rule does not take effect until 2018, the real results are yet to be seen.

Since the start of 2014, the discussion of unconventional monetary policies has been more, well, unconventional. The European Central Bank may be in the process of become policy bedfellows with the Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan and Bank of England by implementing quantitative easing as a monetary policy tool. The ECB has been considering this as well as negative interest rates to protect from decreasing inflation. These negative interest rates would affect deposits at the ECB since these banks would be required to actually pay to park their money. The monetary policy motive for this would be that these banks, avoiding the extra ‘tax,’ would rather lend out their money to the private sector. This would spur growth and ideally protect against the low inflation. Quantitative easing is a little trickier for the Eurozone. Whereas the US and UK can purchase bonds from their own individual markets, the ECB has 18 countries to choose from. Buying from France could give an unfair advantage, whereas purchasing bonds from Greece could throw Germany into an uproar. Some economists suggest that the ECB purchase Treasuries from the Fed to help unwind our rounds of quantitative easing. What a ‘taper tantrum’ that might cause.

While the economy is improving, there is still a long road ahead. However, given that holding cash yields a 0% return, it is still an attractive time to invest, regardless of the current interest rate climate (see: Asset Class Returns). So, go out, get invested, become diversified and have a wonderful spring.

Laurel Mazur is Castle Rock Investment Company’s Research Associate. Laurel Mazur is a graduate student at the University of Denver pursuing a dual Master’s degree in Economics and Global Finance, Trade, and Economic Integration. Most of her research and writing focuses on international monetary economics and central banking. She can be reached at Laurel@CastleRockInvesting.com.

 

Filed Under: 401K, Blog, Castle Rock Investment Company, Industry News, Laurel Mazur, Legislation, Michele Suriano, Uncategorized Tagged With: Castle Rock Investment Company, Federal Reserve, laurel mazur, monetary policy

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Castle Rock Investment Company, formed in 2006, is an independent woman-owned SEC-registered investment adviser located in Castle Rock, Colorado. We specialize in individual financial plans and qualified service plans.

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